Shincheonji, Lebanon

A priest friend of mine told me that he had received a letter from "Shincheonji Church of Jesus, Lebanon", the author of which invited him to get in touch with them in order to "explore ways we can work together to promote the message of the Gospel in Lebanon". For those who do not know, Shincheonji is a sect whose followers believe that South Korean Lee Man-hee is a messenger chosen by Christ in order to prepare for His second coming! I am not interested in relaying to you the negative aspects that this sect fears its new followers might learn about it, but I do want to strike this sheer audacity in addressing people in our country. There is nothing more impudent than saying to someone: "Let me participate with you in raising your children!" Moreover, there is no greater folly than accepting such participation, whether by priests or laypeople. My friend who had received the letter prompted me to write these lines. I empathized with his anguish over those who accepted Shincheonji's invitation in Lebanon. He said: “How can someone forsake his heritage with such hurtful ease?”