In light of the circumstances during the period, the people’s rights movement was itself missionary work as the campaign played a pivotal role in expanding 

congregation.

As Ahn was engaged in missionary work for his compatriots, he became critical of the churches’ missionary policies which, he though, disregarded the sufferings and 

the pains of the Korean people and only took care of their own business. Ahn believed that a religion should comprehensively realize the unity of man’s body and soul, 

the reality and the afterlife, and individuals and society. 

Ahn developed a modernist sense of promoting people’s rights through Catholicism and realized that all men are the most dignified and equal by learning Catholic 

catechism. At that time, the existence of grass-roots in Korean society was threatened with the corruption of the central government officials and the extortion of 

taxes by provincial officials. Ahn always contemplated on how to “develop Korea into a strong civilized nation where the people can freely enjoy their rights” and 

assumed a critical attitude against the extreme conservatives. Armed with passionate church activities and strong faith, Ahn became a leader of the grass-roots and 

Catholic believers in his own village. Ahn’s movement was aimed at building a civilized independent nation and at recovering the freedom of people’s rights. Although 

he had been grown in a rich aristocratic family, Ahn began to perceive Catholicism as another medium of enlightenment and civilization now that the enlightenment 

party in Korea has been overthrown. He accepted Catholicism in order to promote enlightenment and civilization and develop Korea into a civilized nation with his 

compatriots through the teachings of Catholicism. Therefore, Ahn accepted Catholicism based on his learning of Confucianism and knowledge about enlightenment 

and led his people’s rights movement with the base of Catholic churches and the faith.