Myeongdong Cathedral Also Suspends Masses Due to COVID-19... Expanded to the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul (Comprehensive)

Cardinal Yeom Su-jeong: "Decision Made Prioritizing the Life and Safety of the Faithful"
Mass Suspended in 13 of 16 Dioceses Nationwide... Filling the Gap with 'Alternative' Recommendations

Myeongdong Cathedral [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul will suspend all Masses to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, stated in a communiqu? on the 25th, "All parishes within the Archdiocese of Seoul will suspend Masses with the faithful for 14 days from February 26 to March 10, and we ask that parish meetings, events, and external gatherings also be halted."

He added, "It is very painful to begin Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, without the Ash Rite and Mass, but please understand that this decision was made prioritizing the safety and lives of the faithful."

Cardinal Yeom also said, "Please offer prayers for the nation and political leaders," emphasizing, "Political leaders are important to the people, and when making critical national decisions, they must prioritize the survival and stability of the people as the highest value."

He further urged, "There must never be any attempt to use the unfortunate situation of COVID-19 as a political or strategic tool."

The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul is the largest among the 16 dioceses of the Catholic Church in Korea. As of December 2018, the number of faithful was approximately 1.52 million.

The number of parishes under the Archdiocese of Seoul, including Myeongdong Cathedral, is 232. The diocesan cathedral is Myeongdong Cathedral.

According to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, among the 16 Catholic dioceses, 13 dioceses except Jeju, Masan, and Wonju have taken measures to suspend Masses.

The Catholic dioceses that have decided to suspend Masses for the time being are issuing 'alternative' recommendations to the faithful to fill the gap caused by the suspension of Masses.

The Diocese of Daejeon is praying the Rosary daily during Lent to overcome the COVID-19 situation. Additionally, fasting, which was previously observed only on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, has been expanded to every Friday.

The Diocese of Suwon, through a special communiqu? by Bishop Lee Yong-hoon on the 24th, requested cooperation with pastoral guidelines announced to diocesan priests, religious, and parishioners.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.