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In May, Catholic Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick (right) delivers a homily while a deacon interprets in sign language alongside him during a Mass commemorating the 50th anniversary of Seoul Aehwa School. / Courtesy of Archdiocese of Seoul

The Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul is expanding its sign language-interpreted Masses to support the faith life of hearing-impaired parishioners.

The Archdiocese announced on August 21 that starting August 23, it will celebrate sign language-interpreted Masses every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. during the Parish Mass at Deungchon 1-dong Church. Volunteer sign language interpreters belonging to the Volunteer Division of Ephphatha Church in the Archdiocese of Seoul will handle the interpretation.

The Archdiocese of Seoul currently celebrates sign language-interpreted Masses at Gaebong-dong Church and Haengun-dong Church.

The Archdiocese explained that starting the sign language-interpreted Mass at Deungchon 1-dong Church is intended to enable local deaf parishioners to practice their faith at a closer parish church. Father Na Oh-jin, a special pastoral priest for ministry to persons with disabilities in the Archdiocese, said, "We took into account that there are many deaf parishioners in the Gangseo area."

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of the Archdiocese of Seoul emphasized, "Celebrating sign language-interpreted Masses and deploying sign language interpreters in parish churches is an important practice that guarantees religious access for deaf parishioners and helps them fully participate in the faith community." He added, "It is a concrete practice of a social model that views disability not as an individual problem but as a task to be resolved together by society, creating an inclusive community where all parishioners can participate in their faith life without discrimination."

Pastoral ministry for the deaf within the Archdiocese of Seoul centers around Ephphatha Church, which supports the faith life of deaf parishioners by celebrating sign language Masses. Father Park Min-seo and Father Kim Dong-jun, who are both hearing-impaired priests, serve at Ephphatha Church. Because there is currently a shortage of volunteer sign language interpreters, the Archdiocese plans to discuss whether to expand sign language-interpreted Masses to other parishes after reviewing volunteer recruitment and operations at Deungchon 1-dong Church.

                                                                                                       Hwang Eui-joong