Catholic Uijeongbu and Daejeon Dioceses Suspend All 'Small Group Meetings and Events'

The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, including Myeongdong Cathedral, has decided to suspend Masses to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Archdiocese will halt parish Masses, including Sunday Masses, from tomorrow (the 26th) until the 10th of next month, and will also refrain from holding any gatherings. The photo shows Myeongdong Cathedral on the 25th. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] As the government has completely banned small group meetings in Protestant churches to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), cases of Catholic churches suspending small group meetings and events within parishes first are increasing.

The Catholic Uijeongbu Diocese announced on the 8th through an official letter sent to each parish that "all small group meetings and events will be suspended until further diocesan guidelines are issued."

At Wondang Catholic Church, which belongs to this diocese, eight COVID-19 confirmed cases were reported the day before, and the parishioners who attended Mass together underwent comprehensive testing.

The diocese stated, "(The suspension of small group meetings) is a government measure applicable to Protestant churches, but in the context of the spread and risk of religion-related infections, each parish is requested to strictly adhere to quarantine rules and liturgical guidelines."

The Catholic Daejeon Diocese also informed through a diocesan notice on the same day about the government's ban on small group meetings and meal provisions in Protestant churches, requesting "all parishes and institutions in the diocese to suspend all gatherings and meal provisions except for Mass starting from the 10th."

The Catholic Gwangju Archdiocese, where COVID-19 confirmed cases continue to occur, had already suspended Masses and meetings at parishes and institutions on the 5th in accordance with the elevation of social distancing to level 2 in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju Metropolitan City.

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