'No retirement from giving': Catholic priest returns to school to care for elderly
A Catholic priest in his 60s who has spent his life serving others is embarking on a new educational journey after decades away from the classroom, hoping to continue his service to the elderly after retirement. Father Carlo Yoon Haeng-do, 65, is head of the Wolyeong Catholic Church in the Diocese of Masan. Yoon enrolled in a master's program in social welfare at Kyungnam University in South…
A Catholic priest in South Korea is returning to university to further his education, despite already being in his 60s, in order to continue his service to the elderly after retirement, according to the church he heads. Father Carlo Yoon Haeng-do, 65, is the head of the Wolyeong Catholic Church within the Diocese of Masan. He enrolled in a master's degree program in social welfare at Kyungnam University in March, having not been in the classroom for nearly 30 years.
Yoon's motivation stems from his belief that "there is no retirement from serving one's neighbors." As the elderly population in the country continues to grow, he sees a need for individuals to care for older people, and believes seniors themselves should participate in this responsibility.
The priest's daily routine begins early, with him rising around 3 a.m. to pray for approximately two hours before attending to the church and the nearby alleyways. Since taking up his position at Wolyeong Catholic Church in 2024, he has maintained this regimen. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Yoon dedicates his time to study, pursuing his academic goals while continuing his commitment to serving his community.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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