The missionary, an Oblate of Mary Immaculate, has been in the country for 23 years. Here he founded "Anna’s Home", a charity that has helped waken the consciences of Catholics, and has recently launched Agit, a project for the recovery of street children. "A very current problem that comes from the breakdown of the family." Italy appoints him Knight of the Republic.

Seoul (AsiaNews) – It "is an honor” to become a citizen of South Korea, “a great recognition for my and my co-workers work, that is born of love for Korea. The best thing is that I did not ask for it, but I was contacted by the government. This means they recognize the importance of what we do, the importance of commitment to the poor and the marginalized", Fr. Vincenzo Bordo, Oblate Missionary of Mary Immaculate (OMI) tells AsiaNews. The missionary has been in South Korea for 23 years and a few days ago, along with his new Korean passport, he was also made a Knight of the Italian Republic.

The official ceremony took place on Nov. 19, 2015, which Fr. Bordo describes as "a day of great joy. For 25 long years I have loved Korea. I have lived with passion among these people. I have served its poor with dedication and humility. And the government, recognizing this commitment, handed me a Korean passport. It is a great honor for me”.

The missionary has received several awards for his "Anna’s Home", in Suwon, that welcomes the poor and the marginalized. But for some time now it he has been facing a new challenge: "The Agit movement – he tells AsiaNews - is a project to go out at night and to look for street children. It is a new phenomenon, which people are only beginning to talk about: children who saw their families destroyed by divorce, who are kicked out by their parent’s new companions and have no other options. "

These young people "have few prospects ahead. For males, they fall into petty theft, prostitution for females. We try to give them a different alternative: from 19 pm to 2 am we go around with a tent, which is mounted to accommodate the kids. We offer them a sincere welcome, a tender friendship and a hot soup". From this first contact we try to help them find a way ahead: return to school for those who are the right age or work.

As with "Anna’s Home", also Agit is based on the generosity of friends and those who come into contact with Fr. Bordo. He believes that this development is "a seed that has blossomed" thanks to the visit of Pope Francis in Korea, in the summer of 2014.

The Pope, he says, "has left a mark in Korean society. It would be wrong to presume that a Pope arrives, he delivers his speeches and changes everything: but now his mark is there. I see it with the attitude toward my work with street people: first there was no interest, but now the situation has changed. If we take the time to tend to these seeds they will blossom and we will see real change. "

The same holds true for the Korean Church says Fr.Bordo, "now are wondering about where it is going. I, from my point of view, I can say that on 30 December, 53 priests in my area will have a one day retreat. Instead of a big party as was the norm, they have chosen to be with us in Anna’s Home to feed our guests, washing dishes and spending time with the less fortunate".

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