In the mid-19th century, the Catholic faith took root in Korea despite vicious persecutions. For example, the Korean government executed several thousand Christians in 1846. Andrew Kim Taegon, the first native-born priest, was among these martyrs.

Given the state of the U.S. economy and youth culture here and around the world, some people may begin to believe that the world is doomed and ripe for Christ’s second coming. The U.S. unemployment rate is nearing double digits, the recession shows no signs of receding, and young rioters in England last month destroyed property and killed five people.