A craft center where pilgrims can make or buy religious items is to be built at a Catholic shrine in a joint venture between the Church and government. Wanju-gun County recently announced that construction of the center will begin at the end of this month near the Cheonho shrine in Jeonju diocese. Four saints who were martyred during Catholic persecutions in 1866 and 1868 are buried at the shrine in the village of Cheonho. Some 120,000 people visit the shrine annually. The center will consist of a workshop where visitors can make religious articles, an exhibition hall and a shop. Jeonju diocese has donated land for the project, while the county, provincial and central governments are jointly providing the money for the center, which is expected to cost 500 million won (US$435,000). The center is due to be completed by next February. Father Henry Kim Young-soo, director of the shrine, said: “Once the center is up and running, Catholic pilgrims can develop deeper faith by crafting religious things themselves.” The project will enable the Church to offer pilgrims a more interesting experience and develop the shrine as well, he added. He denied the venture would become too commercialized, pointing out it is a good opportunity to promote Catholic culture and would help develop the local economy. Lee Jeom-no, a county official, said the center will offer local residents much-needed job opportunities. Related Reports ‘Jeonju Diocese Hopes To Invigorate Catholics´ Faith By Developing Martyrs´ Shrine’