Despite Concerns Over Cluster Infections, Some Churches Persist with On-site Worship Services: What Is Your Opinion?

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On the 16th, 40 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were reported among the congregation, bringing the total to 46 confirmed cases at Eunhyeui Gang Church in Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Officials from the Environmental Sanitation Division of Sujeong District Office are conducting disinfection around the church. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Lim Joo-hyung] As concerns over COVID-19 cluster infections in enclosed spaces grow, the government has requested religious facilities to refrain from gatherings and worship services for the time being and to participate in social distancing. However, controversy has arisen as some churches continue to hold on-site Sunday worship services.

On the 12th, Park Yang-woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, visited the Korea Christian Federation and the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK), requesting Protestant leaders to refrain from religious gatherings and to join social distancing efforts.

On that day, Minister Park said, "Although the spread of COVID-19 seems to have temporarily slowed down due to these efforts, it is still too early to be optimistic," adding, "With cluster infections occurring in call centers and welfare facilities, cautious judgment and cooperation from the Christian community are more necessary."

Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, also explained at a regular briefing held on the 11th at the Osong Disease Control Headquarters in Chungbuk that multi-use facilities have a high risk of droplet infection, stating, "Religious events can be risky as they involve singing hymns or praying for over an hour in enclosed spaces."

In fact, the Grace River Church in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where 46 people including the pastor couple out of 130 congregants were confirmed positive, was found to have held Sunday worship with about 100 people crowded in a small 35-pyeong (approximately 115㎡) worship hall.

Because it is a closed space where congregants gather closely for worship, churches are considered vulnerable to cluster infections. Additionally, concerns are growing as large-scale cluster infections within churches are becoming a reality, such as 15 confirmed cases at the Life Water Church in Bucheon City.

On the morning of the 15th, the ground parking lot of a large church in Nam-gu, Gwangju is filled with vehicles of worshippers attending Sunday service. / Photo by Yonhap News

As a result, most large churches have replaced on-site worship with online services. However, some churches still insist on holding on-site worship, sparking controversy.

Some congregants argue that on-site worship is not problematic because the church manages hygiene environments independently. Christian A, who attended worship at a church on Sunday, said, "Before entering the building, hands are sanitized and mask-wearing is checked. During worship, congregants’ temperatures are checked, and seating is arranged to maintain about 2 meters of distance," adding, "The church interior is much cleaner and safer than offices or subways."

Congregant B, in their 70s, said they are not familiar with watching worship services via YouTube and other platforms, so they go to church, expressing, "For people like me who are not used to smartphones, it is difficult to worship if the church is closed."

On the other hand, some congregants do not attend on-site worship. Christian C, in their 20s, said, "My whole family are devout believers, but since the spread of the infectious disease, we have been worshiping online," adding, "I don’t think faith diminishes just because we don’t physically go to church."

On the morning of the 8th, at a church in Buk-gu, Gwangju, Mayor Lee Yong-seop of Gwangju urged church officials to refrain from holding collective worship services and to wear masks. / Photo by Yonhap News

Some citizens have expressed anxiety. Resident D, living near a church in Gyeonggi Province that holds Sunday morning worship on-site, said, "I have been sensitive because I have heard a lot about cluster infections recently," adding, "If religious events are that important, it can’t be helped, but honestly, I wish they would refrain from on-site worship at times like this."

Meanwhile, the NCCK requested member denominations to participate in social distancing in a statement issued on the 26th of last month. At that time, the NCCK emphasized, "The proposal to suspend all gatherings, including Sunday worship, for the time being is not a test of our faith," adding, "Rather, it is an expression of faith that the church should not become a source of COVID-19 spread."

They continued, "We must make full use of online media, which is the communication method of our time," and added, "We should worship in our own places, reflect on our faith, and deepen the communal faith."

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