Job Discussion Forums

jsbankston · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 214 Location: Texas

If you're Catholic and teach TEFL, do you have much luck finding a place to go to Mass? I'm sure it's easier in Latin America and Europe and some parts of Africa than it is in Asia and Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I come across a good number of teachers in Mexico who are concerned about finding places to worship. Catholic is easy in Mexico and Latin America. But, there are also many Christians, Mormons, 7th Day Adventists, and Muslims. Most religions are represented in Mexico though perhaps not so easily in the smaller towns.

I'm a lapsed Catholic, but my Mexican wife has taken me to mass several times...it's a little more important to her. I also have a large clutch of in-laws here, so we went through a flurry of baptisms the last 3 years.

nicolayeeles · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 3

There is almost always a Catholic Church - even in my remote Chinese town! Whether or not you'll find an English-speaking one is another matter, but you can always ask the local tourist information centre before you go if it's an issue.

Good luck!
Nicky

tedkarma · Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:08 pm Post subject:

Lots of Catholic churches in Korea. Some in Thailand. A few in Taiwan. None in Saudi Arabia.

Interestingly enough, in Korea you a viewed as being either Catholic or Christian - and never the twain shall meet!

jsbankston · Joined: 12 Sep 2006 Posts: 214 Location: Texas

There is almost always a Catholic Church - even in my remote Chinese town! Whether or not you'll find an English-speaking one is another matter, but you can always ask the local tourist information centre before you go if it's an issue.

Looking at it now it's kind of eerie. A few years ago I was going to convert from Protestantism, but for awhile was on the fence between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. One of the reasons I picked the Catholic Church was I figured that pretty much anywhere I went in the world I could find one. I guess I always assumed I'd be going overseas at some point.

Kaspar Hauser · Joined: 23 Feb 2005 Posts: 83

There are churches in all Muslim countries except for Saudi Arabia. In the UAE there are Catholic churches with masses in several languages. Saudi Arabia does not permit anything having to do with any other religion other than Islam, so that means not only are there not any churches, you can't bring in a bible, crucifix, Xmas decorations, Easter bunnies, etc.

Calories · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 361 Location: Chinese Food Hell

Serious_Fun · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 1171 Location: terra incognita