The 2020 Eucharistic Congress, the largest event of the year hosted by the Archdiocese of Atlanta, has been canceled over concerns about the coronavirus.
This would have been the 25th year for the gathering, which draws as many as 30,000 people, over two days at theGeorgia International Convention Center. The event, which was scheduled for June 12 through June 13, will return in 2021.
“Organizers recognize that even if the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus has slowed by mid-June, we do not believe we will be in a position to host an event which typically draws up to 30,000 people,” according to a memo sent by Bishop Joel M. Konzen, the administrator for the archdiocese.
Credit: Louie Favorite / AJC
Credit: Louie Favorite / AJC
The Congress is now scheduled for June 4 and June 5, 2021.
The annual meeting brings people from across the southeast to to metro Atlanta.
The Archdiocese of Atlanta includes the 69 counties and more than 1.2 million Catholics.
Already, the archdiocese has outlined new guidelines for its parishes, that extends the suspension of masses through April 19, which will cover Palm Sunday and Easter.
The spread of COVID-19 has resulted in churches, mosques and synagogues across Georgia cancelling events and holding services online, rather than in person.
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