Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese issues warning against Naju ‘shrine’, following Singapore and Kuching

The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur has followed the Archdioceses of Kuching and Singapore in warning Catholics against visiting the alleged Marian shrine in Naju, South Korea.

In posts on its Facebook and Instagram pages on November 11, the Archdiocese in Peninsular Malaysia noted that “Catholic bishops, including Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Sarawak, and Church leaders in Singapore, have issued a warning that visiting the unapproved Marian shrine in Naju, South Korea, leads to automatic excommunication.”

The Kuala Lumpur warning added that the shrine, which focuses on alleged visions experienced by Ms Julia Kim (also known as Julia Youn) since 1985, “has been consistently condemned by the Archdiocese of Gwangju.”

“The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has reaffirmed the ban, citing false teachings and unauthorized sacramental celebrations,” said the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese.

“The faithful are urged to avoid Naju and instead visit officially recognised pilgrimage sites, such as Namyang (South Korea), Akita (Japan), and La Vang (Vietnam), particularly during the final months of the Jubilee Year,” said the Archdiocese.

The Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese’s warning follows a notice published in Today’s Catholic, the official publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching in Sarawak, East Malaysia, on November 4. The notice said that Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, faced with queries from Catholics about joining pilgrimages to the site, contacted Archbishop Emeritus Hyginus Kim of Gwangju, where Naju is located.

“Archbishop Emeritus Kim has confirmed that the Archdiocese of Gwangju does not permit Catholics to visit Naju, Today’s Catholic reported.

A few days earlier, the Archdiocese of Singapore’s Chancery office, on Oct 31, warned that “those who continue to visit the centre in Naju where the alleged visionary continues her activities against the guidelines of the local Ordinary in Korea, incur an automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication.” 

“All faithful who have previously visited the centre must stop doing so, and approach a priest for the sacrament of reconciliation for the excommunication to be lifted,” said the notice, issued by Chancellor Father Terence Pereira. 

“Those who are planning to visit the centre should desist,” the notice added. 

The warnings by the Kuching and Singapore Archdioceses have also been reported in several Catholic online publications and Catholic social media posts around the world.