"NO LONGER STRANGERS": THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS A MIGRANT-SERVING MEDIATING STRUCTURE IN SOUTH KOREA

Abstract

BASED ON ETHNOGRAPHIC STUDY OF CATHOLIC-BASED MIGRANT CENTERS IN SOUTH KOREA, THIS DISSERTATION SUGGESTS THAT AN ORGANIZED RELIGION WITH INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY AND CREDIBILITY AS A CIVIL SOCIETY ACTOR EMPLOYS SEVERAL MEDIATING STRATEGIES TO INTEGRATE MIGRANTS. I FIRST FOCUS ON CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICE PROVISION FOR MIGRANTS AS THE BASIC FORM OF MEDIATION IN MIGRANT INCLUSION. I HIGHLIGHT HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AT ALL LEVELS ENGAGE IN CARING FOR MIGRANTS AS A (DE)POLITICIZED BLUEPRINT OF WELCOMING AND INCORPORATING MIGRANTS ESPECIALLY VIS-A-VIS WELFARE AND SOCIAL POLICIES. SECONDLY, THE CATHOLIC CHURCH MEDIATES BY PROVIDING THE PHYSICAL AND SYMBOLIC INFRASTRUCTURES FOR MIGRANT COMMUNITY FORMATION ESPECIALLY AMONG FILIPINO MIGRANTS. THROUGH A MEDIATED COMMUNITY-BUILDING, THE PRESENCE AND VISIBILITY OF MIGRANT COMMUNITIES BECOMES BOTH AN OBJECT OF LEGITIMACY AND SCRUTINY IN PUBLIC SPHERE. FINALLY, I PRESENT HOW THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THROUGH ITS RELIGIOUS AND ORGANIZATIONAL RESOURCES MEDIATE