Changchung Cathedral

Changchung Cathedral is the nominal cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pyongyang, North Korea, located in the Changchung neighborhood of Songyo-guyok, Pyongyang. It is one of only four official Christian places of worship in Pyongyang. It operates under the Korean Catholic Association.[1]

Changchung Cathedral
Exterior of Changchung Cathedral
Religion
AffiliationNorth Korean Catholic
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusCathedral
LeadershipKorean Catholic Association
StatusNo bishop
Location
LocationChangchung, Songyo-guyok, Pyongyang, North Korea
Changchung Cathedral is located in Pyongyang
Changchung Cathedral
Location in Pyongyang
Geographic coordinates39°00′25″N 125°46′40″E
Architecture
Completed1988 (1988)
Changchung Cathedral
Chosŏn'gŭl
장충성당
Hancha
Revised RomanizationJangchung-seongdang
McCune–ReischauerChangch'ung-sŏngdang
Interior of the Changchung Cathedral

History

Before the division of Korea, Pyongyang was the city with the highest number of Christian believers in Korea, and was known as the "Korean Jerusalem".[2] By 1945, nearly 1⁄6 of its citizens were Christians. Therefore, Pyongyang was made into the only diocese in northern Korea.

After the division of Korea, however, the Communist government under Kim Il Sung persecuted Christians as imperialist collaborators and spies; even the famous Christian Nationalist Cho Man-sik, initially more influential than Kim, was arrested and shot. Much of the Catholic community was either killed or imprisoned, and many more fled south.

The original cathedral, built of red brick in the late 19th century, was destroyed in the Korean War by American forces. Earlier, in 1949, the last formal Bishop of Pyongyang, Francis Hong Yong-ho, had been imprisoned by the communist government; he later disappeared. His death was acknowledged by the Holy See in 2013, although the exact date of death is unknown.[3]

In 1988 a new cathedral was opened in East Pyongyang. At the same time, two nondenominational Protestant churches were opened in an effort by the government to show religious freedom.[4]

Operation

The cathedral is operated by the Korean Catholic Association and is not affiliated with the Holy See.[1][5] Because of the strained relations with the Holy See, the cathedral currently has no bishop or even an ordained priest.[4][2] There is no resident priest either. Masses are offered by foreign clergy.[1]

There is a noodle factory associated with the church that receives financial support from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and Catholic Koreans in the United States.[1]

See also

References
  1. Justin Corfield (2014). Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang. Anthem Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-78308-341-1. Archived from the original on 2017-02-16. Retrieved 2022-04-17.
  2. "While pope visits the South, North Korea's 'quiet Catholics' cut off from the Vatican". Fox News. 24 March 2015. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022. Retrieved 1 November 2015.
  3. "Cappella Papale Santa Messa In Suffragio Dei Cardinali E Vescovi Defunti Nel Corso Dell'Anno Celebrata Dal Santo Padre Francesco" (PDF). vatican.va (in Italian). 4 November 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  4. "New Atheists and Old Atheists | Issue 78 | Philosophy Now". Archived from the original on 2015-06-02. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  5. Zwirko, Colin (9 October 2018). "Kim Jong Un says Pope welcome to visit Pyongyang: Blue House". NK News. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2018.

Further reading
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