In the most recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), Pope Francis has reminded the Church that all of us are part of a larger human family and that our human fraternity “transcends the barriers of geography and distance.” In a spirit of fraternal love, the Church cannot turn a blind eye to those in need and the vulnerable irrespective of who they are and where they come from, especially in times of crises. In this Season of Lent, the sacrifices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving which Lent call us to, must move us beyond individualistic Lenten practices towards cultivating a love and compassion for one another that excludes no one and is open to all. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
In the most recent encyclical Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), Pope Francis has reminded the Church that all of us are part of a larger human family and that our human fraternity “transcends the barriers of geography and distance.” In a spirit of fraternal love, the Church cannot turn a blind eye to those in need and the vulnerable irrespective of who they are and where they come from, especially in times of crises. In this Season of Lent, the sacrifices of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving which Lent call us to, must move us beyond individualistic Lenten practices towards cultivating a love and compassion for one another that excludes no one and is open to all. “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
Dear People of God, For over a year now, together with all of you, we, your archbishops and bishops of Malaysia are not only aware but have also been affected by the outbreak of COVID-19 – none of us are spared. The outbreak which has rapidly spread around the world poses enormous health, economic, environmental and social challenges to the entire human population. We remember on this 1st International Day of Human Fraternity, those who have lost their lives, the thousands who are sick and the severe disruptions on day-to-day life. Every one of us, individuals, families, parishes, dioceses, and countries have been required to make great sacrifices. As Church, we too have had to rethink and reorganise how to be Church in these unprecedented times. The virtue of solidarity in such a time has also required difficult and even unpopular decisions about matters at the very heart of our Catholic faith and way of life. Nevertheless, we must not stop but continue to find new and crea