Changchung Cathedral
This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (December 2010) |
Changchung Cathedral | |
---|---|
Religion | |
Affiliation | North Korean Catholic |
Ecclesiastical or organizational status | Cathedral |
Leadership | |
Status | No bishop |
Location | |
Location | Changchung, Songyo-guyok, Pyongyang, North Korea |
Location in Pyongyang | |
Geographic coordinates | 39°00′25″N 125°46′40″E / 39.00694°N 125.77778°ECoordinates: 39°00′25″N 125°46′40″E / 39.00694°N 125.77778°E |
Architecture | |
Completed | 1988 |
Changchung Cathedral | |
Chosŏn'gŭl | 장충성당 |
---|---|
Hancha | |
Revised Romanization | Jangchung-seongdang |
McCune–Reischauer | Changch'ung-sŏngdang |
Changchung Cathedral is the nominal cathedral of the Roman Catholic Bishop 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 .[1]
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.
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.[3]
Operation[]
The cathedral is operated by the and is not affiliated with the Holy See.[1][4] Because of the strained relations with the Holy See, the cathedral currently has no bishop or even an ordained priest.[3][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[]
- Roman Catholicism in North Korea
- Bongsu Church
- Chilgol Church
- Church of the Life-Giving Trinity
References[]
- ^ a b c d Justin Corfield (2014). Historical Dictionary of Pyongyang. Anthem Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-78308-341-1.
- ^ a b "While pope visits the South, North Korea's 'quiet Catholics' cut off from the Vatican". 24 March 2015.
- ^ a b "New Atheists and Old Atheists | Issue 78 | Philosophy Now".
- ^ Zwirko, Colin (9 October 2018). "Kim Jong Un says Pope welcome to visit Pyongyang: Blue House". NK News. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
Further reading[]
- Foster-Carter, Aidan (2000-12-23). "Pyongyang Watch: Some of that old-time religion". Asia Times. Archived from the original on 2001-06-09.CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Changchung Cathedral. |
- 360 virtual tour of Changchung Cathedral
- Video of the Changchung Church
- Photo
- Photo
- Article featuring the church
- Article (in Russian)
- Changchung Cathedral at Naenara
- Roman Catholic cathedrals in North Korea
- Buildings and structures in Pyongyang
- Roman Catholic churches completed in 1988
- 1988 establishments in North Korea
- 20th-century Roman Catholic church buildings
- Asian church stubs
- North Korean building and structure stubs
- Korea religion stubs