0302 Statement at Press Conference of Shincheonji Church of Jesus Regarding COVID-19

March 02,2020

 

Statement at Press Conference of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

 

Regarding COVID-19

 

 

 

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Ladies and gentlemen of the media, I apologize. I hoped to meet all of you at a better location, but the place has been changed abruptly. I am truly sorry. I do not know how to apologize enough.

 

 

And yet the press conference has commenced to extend my words of apology to all citizens. In regards to the 31st patient confirmed to have COVID-19, I sincerely apologize as the chairman of Shincheonji. It was not intentional, but many confirmed cases have occurred. We made our utmost efforts, but we could not prevent them all. We express an apology to all citizens.

 

 

The government authorities have made their best efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the Daegu Church of Shincheonji. We are also cooperating to the fullest extent. We will spare no personnel and material support for the government. I cannot find enough words to apologize to all citizens. I have no face to show. I express my apology with a low bow.

 

 

 

Dear citizens, please forgive my shortcomings in handling this situation. In such hectic times, I am very thankful for the government’s efforts for our church. This work is what we ought to do, but as we fall short of our ability, the government has made a lot of efforts to contain the spread. I am deeply thankful, and I ask the government’s forgiveness. Please forgive me.  

 

 

To the best of our ability, we will provide personnel and material support. I never expected this situation to happen even in my dreams. I am not sure exactly why it has turned out this way. We will make all the efforts we can, and we are also aware of our faults.

 

 

I believe all of you know from the two official statements of Shincheonji Church of Jesus released in regards to COVID-19.

 

 

 There was a special letter, which I believe has been reported in the media. I will read it out.

 

 “Special Letter from Chairman”

 

 

Dear congregation members of Shincheonji Church of Jesus,

 

 I know that all of you are going through a difficult time due to the COVID-19 outbreak. We have closely cooperated with the government to contain and extinguish this outbreak.

 

I am heartbroken to learn the great damage that the outbreak has caused members of the Daegu Church.

 

 

 

With faith in God and Jesus, let us overcome this hardship. Shincheonji has decided to provide the list of all congregants to the authorities and cooperate in conducting a complete survey of the congregants.

 

Also, we will have the trainees to be tested for the virus as well. Everything will proceed on condition that the government prepare measures to maintain the confidentiality of personal information. Let us fully cooperate with the government and do our best to overcome this situation.

 

 

25 February, Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, in a church, if leaders are to be compared to parents, congregants would be like children. When a dreadful disease is going around, even leading some to death, what parents would just stand by and watch? Would they watch without curing them?

 

 

This situation is a calamity. We are doing our best to stop it, and the government is also striving to prevent the spread. I am sure all citizens are of the same mind.

Now is not the time to argue who did right and who did wrong. The first thing to do is to resolve this crisis for the country and the people. We are making our best efforts, so the heavens will help too.

 

There is another thing I would like to tell you.

 

We have shut down all of our branch churches and locations and suspended all meetings. We have closed them all, leaving no place to sit down. This has made it difficult for people to work. They have to work things out through conversations, but this has become difficult. And we need people to do the work, but we are short of hands.

 

Because we are short-handed, we find it hard to cooperate to the desired extent. But we will struggle to stop the spread. We must stop it not just for our church members but for the country and the people. I believe now is not the time to debate who is right and who is wrong.

 I am sure some of you have misunderstandings and came with questions. I hope today will be a chance to clear up such misunderstandings, and we will continue to cooperate.

 

Man Hee Lee, Chairman of Shincheonji Church of Jesus

 

 

 

 

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