After Father Oh Resigned from Chief Manager of Flower Village

Despite the ongoing prosecution’s Investigation into Father Oh Woong-jin’s alleged illegal management of funds and his resignation from chief manager of the Flower Village, 70 volunteer workers who have stayed here over a year were still busy taking care of inmates on the 9th without any disturbance at “House of Hope,” in the Flower Village(Kkottongnae), Korea’s biggest social welfare facilities, in Ingok Mangdong Eumsung Choongbuk Province..

Jang Seon-hwa (48) who has worked here for five years looking after 200 people with mental disease was very busy taking care of those who ask for help. She had to do hard work such as cleaning rooms and washing off excretion but she was always smiling. She said, however, “I feel uneasy over the ongoing investigation into the Flower Village.”

Park Jeong-ho (48) who has been volunteer worker here for six years said, “I feel sorry because people seem give suspicious look to the whole Flower Village, but inmates still think of this place as a paradise.”

However, the Flower Village is experiencing hardships as supporters and volunteer workers started to leave since Father Oh was known to be investigated.

Among 850,000 supporters, 2,000 were reported to withdraw from by the 9th. Volunteer workers also decreased about 20~30%. As schools began, young volunteer workers are reduced naturally. However, the falling image of the Flower Village from “the paradise for the poor” to “the hotbed of corruption” might have had a great impact.

Brother Park Matthew of the Flower Village said, “I feel regretful that many people in the Flower Village are suspected as the investigation goes on. I hope the investigation ends soon and bring back the normal life to us.”

Fortunately, 2500 persons with mental illness, homeless and alcoholics, 300 monks, nuns and full time volunteer workers are living with hope, counting on each other like family members without any waver.

In addition, people keep inquire for reservation of programs next year to “Love In-service Training Institute” in the Flower Village, which offers group in-service training for schools and companies.

Sister Cheon Bartholomew, who is in charge of Love In-service Training Institute, said, “More than half of programs next year is reserved and people still keep calling to inquire for reservation.”

In the meantime, Father Oh who resigned from the chief manager of the Flower Village for good started eight-day nine-night retreats (series of days passed in solitude and consecrated to practices of asceticism, in particular to prayer and penance), explained a staff of the Flower Village.

straw825@donga.com