From November 7 to 10, the 18th edition of the Congress of the Asian Federation of Catholic Medical Associations was held in Seoul at the Catholic University of Korea. One of the speakers was Fr. Joseph Tham, LC, professor of bioethics at the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and Research Scholar of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights.

Fr. Tham spoke during the sessions dedicated to the “threats to births.” During his lecture, he addressed the principles of the Catholic Church regarding the beginning of life and reproductive issues, based on natural law and a metaphysical view. He pointed out how there are increasing challenges in the modern world: since the 1960s, the decline of faith in the West has hindered the acceptance of the Magisterium, while in Asia, where Confucian, Buddhist, and Hindu values predominate, these teachings generate cultural tensions. Furthermore, the advance of secularism and philosophies such as transhumanism and pansensualism contrast with the Catholic vision of life and family.

Fr. Joseph demonstrated that in the West, the Church has attempted to adapt its message through an approach focused on dignity and human rights, but the concept of an objective truth and a common human nature is weakening. According to Charles Taylor, this reflects a shift towards a more fluid existential “self.” In Asia, explaining natural law is even more complex, requiring inculturation that dialogues with local traditions.

Among the strategies to overcome these challenges — as explained by Fr. Joseph — are community service, such as the work of Caritas and Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and the via pulchritudinis or the path of beauty. The Church, historically a promoter of the arts, finds in beauty a powerful tool for evangelization, especially in Asia, where harmony and aesthetics are deeply valued. Examples like the “Art for God” project, which combines Christian spirituality with Eastern art, demonstrate the potential of uniting cultures through beauty to communicate the values of life, family, and love.

On the topic of “Art for God,” Fr. Joseph showcased some of his calligraphies.

Photographs: Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum