wfn.org | SARS Hits Attendance at Taipei Churches

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2671, May 11, 2003
Reported by Lin Yi-ying. Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

   In response to the presence of Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS)  in Taiwan, church attendance in Taipei was
greatly reduced on May 4th. Congregations located in
neighborhoods near two hospitals where SARS deaths have occurred
reported a 33 to 50 percent reduction in the number of those who
came to worship.
   The Rev. Wang Yi-fu, pastor of Chung-Hwa Presbyterian Church,
which is situated only 40 meters from Ho-ping Municipal Hospital,
where staff, patients and visitors are under quarantine, said
that he was not concerned for his own safety, but for that of the
church's members.
   The Rev. Mr. Lo Ren-kuei, pastor of Ta-daw-cheng Presbyterian
Church added, "When churches have done what we can to disinfect
facilities, we hope that all members can gather in peace and
security for worship."
   Before the SARS scare hit 40 to 50 people ordinarily gathered
to worship at Chung-Hwa Church on Sundays.  But since late April
numbers have been about half.  Last Sunday (the 4th) numbers were
up to two thirds of usual.  The back windows of the church
facility face the nearby hospital.  Rev. Wang said, "To prevent
the remote possibility of airborne transmission of the virus,
those windows have been kept firmly shut for at least a day prior
to any gathering in the church building."
   Chung Hwa Church and Ho-ping hospital have maintained a close
relationship in recent years.  Rev. Wang has become a familiar
face to many hospital staff whom he sees when visiting patients.
   Another Presbyterian congregation located near the quarantined
hospitals, Hwa-hsing Church, normally has 60 to 70 in attendance
on Sunday.  According to the Rev. Mr. Li Han-cherng, the pastor
there, on May 4th attendance was only one third of usual.  He
says that he has done nothing special to compel the people to
"come in", but points out that what seems the most dangerous
place is actually the safest because the church and surrounding
neighborhood are disinfected daily.  He also believes in the
omnipresence of God who will protect those who come to church on
Sunday.  Those who do attend will find the air conditioning shut
off, the windows open, and electric fans ventilating the
facility.
   Rev. Lo said that prevention is everyone's responsibility.
Since a church is a public facility, it must be well set up. His
own congregation has instituted disinfection procedures to
precede and follow all gatherings.  Temperatures are taken at the
door, and masks are provided to all who desire to wear them.

For more information: Wang Yi-fu FAX +886 2 2381 1275
		      Lo Ren-kuei tttch@ms41.hinet.net
		      Li Han-cherng FAX +886 2 2304 5154

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local
languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw