Don t politicize pandemic, say Malaysian bishops
Prelates stress that accessibility to Covid-19 vaccines should not only be for the privileged UCA News reporter Updated: February 09, 2021 10:24 AM GMT
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Archbishop Julian Leow, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia. (Photo: Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur)
The Catholic Church in Malaysia is asking the country’s leaders to not exploit the Covid-19 pandemic. Bishops say the pandemic should not be politicized and any form of corruption in the procurement and distribution of vaccines must be avoided.
“The pandemic cannot be used to politicize or divide Malaysians. We call on our leaders to put aside any differences in order to steer the country and help rebuild our lives and that of the nation. The lives of the
KOTA KINABALU: This year Ash Wednesday falls on Feb 17 in the midst of the Lunar Year celebration, which kicks in on Feb 12.
In a January circular released to the clergy and the religious, Archbishop John Wong, has asked all faithful in the Kota Kinabalu Archdiocese to observe the regular fast and abstinence from meat for Ash Wednesday.
However, dispensation from fast and abstinence from meat is granted to all faithful celebrating the Chinese New Year on three consecutive Fridays: 12, 19 and 26 February.
The decision was made as part of the Liturgical Matters raised for this region at the Catholic Bishops Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei online meeting on 4-8 January 2021.
By Sr Bibiana Densia
On 2 February 2021, the Mass to mark the World Day for Consecrated Life, which was scheduled to be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral, was cancelled as a consequence of the extension of the Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed by the government. It created sadness and nostalgia for those of us who were looking forward to celebrate as we had done in previous years.
According to Br Thomas Paul, SG, chairperson of the Council of Religious (COR), Archbishop did suggest to have an Online Mass for the religious to celebrate the World Day for Consecrated Life but the COR instead decided to cancel it, thus giving liberty to religious congregations to celebrate it with and in their own communities.
By Agnes Chai
Twenty-two years to the day 21 January 2021, Archbishop John Wong offered his life to love and serve the Lord in the ministerial priesthood at St Mary’s Church (now Cathedral) Sandakan, and was ordained by Bishop John Lee (now Emeritus Archbishop).
No one ever envisaged being a pastor/priest in a pandemic, but since March last year (2020), the coronavirus has plunged the world into unprecedented times of crisis. No one was spared from its path of destruction, socially, economically, culturally, and even spiritually.
It was with this background that Archbishop John Wong shares with Catholic Sabah how he views himself being a pastor in the pandemic as he celebrates his 22
By CMI SOCCOM
After a few postponements with the closure of the church due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 30 boys and girls finally received their Sacrament of Confirmation at Church of Mary Immaculate (CMI), Bukit Padang on Dec 27.
The memorable occasion took place during the 8.00 am Sunday Mass on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, which was celebrated by Archbishop John Wong and assisted by Fr Joshua Liew.
In his homily, Archbishop Wong led the congregation to examine the Holy Family not only as a whole but also the individuality of Mary, Joseph and Jesus who had formed this Model Family for Catholics, especially for those who fear the Lord and who constantly walk in His Way.