Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called MARCH 8, 2020 us with a holy calling, not accourindg to our works but according to his own purpose and TERHAD PP 8460/11/2012(030939) grace. This grace was given to us in Christ ISSN: 1394-3294 Jesus before the ages began. Vol. 27 No. 09 THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY 2 Tim. 1:8b-9

INSIDE  The cry of the earth is P13 no different than the cry of the poor P18-20  Coming together to P14 pray for good health  Youth launch Lenten P16 Pioneer batch of theology programme, P5 Sumbangan umat Katolik dalam BM8 DEPTh graduate membina negara sejahtera Campaign at CDM P21-22 Personal conversion needed to confront Satan’s lies ATICAN: There is an ur- sion for Christ crucified as represented in gent need for personal “the many innocent victims of wars, in at- tacks on life, from that of the unborn to that Vconversion without which of the elderly, and various other forms of the temptations of Satan, and the violence.” presence of evil, create a “hell here Christ’s wounds are also represented in on earth,” Pope Francis said in his “environmental disasters, the unequal dis- tribution of the earth’s goods, human traf- 2020 Lenten message. ficking in all its forms, and the unbridled “Christian joy flows from listening to, thirst for profit, which is a form of idolatry,” and accepting, the Good News of the death he stated. and resurrection of Jesus,” he said. “Who- About almsgiving, the Pope said, shar- ever believes this message rejects the lie ing one’s worldly goods helps to make the that our life is ours to do with as we will.” world a better place. Rather, the Pope said, life is born of the “Charitable giving makes us more hu- love of God our Father. man, whereas hoarding risks making us “If we listen instead to the tempting voice less human, imprisoned by our own selfish- of the ‘father of lies,’ we risk sinking into ness,” he said. the abyss of absurdity, and experiencing Francis said, that apart from giving alms, hell here on earth, as all too many tragic Christians must also consider the structure events in the personal and collective human of economic life, which is why he has con- experience sadly bear witness,” he stated. vened in March a meeting with young men With the season of Lent, the Lord gives and women from around the world to bring Catholics again a time of preparation for about “a more just and inclusive economy.” Jesus’ death and resurrection, “the corner- “The Economy of Francesco,” which will stone of our personal and communal Chris- be attended by around 2,000 economists tian life,” he said, urging Catholics to not and entrepreneurs under the age of 35, will take this time of conversion for granted. be held in Assisi March 26-28. “This new opportunity ought to awaken in Pope Francis pointed to the crucified Je- us a sense of gratitude and stir us from our Pope Francis leads a brief service at the Basilica of Sant'Anselmo before celebrating Mass at the sus, who was sinless yet took on “the weight sloth,” he argued. “Despite the sometimes Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome Feb 26, 2020. (CNS photo/Cristian Gennari, pool) of our sins.” tragic presence of evil in our lives, and in saved over and over again. And when you fasting and prayer. “May we not let this time of grace pass in the life of the Church and the world, this go to confess your sins, believe firmly in Pope Francis recalled that prayer is “more vain, in the foolish illusion that we can con- opportunity to change our course expresses his mercy which frees you of your guilt. than a duty,” that it is “an expression of our trol the times and means of our conversion God’s unwavering will not to interrupt his Contemplate his blood poured out with need to respond to God’s love which always to him,” he urged. dialogue of salvation with us.” such great love, and let yourself be cleansed precedes and sustains us.” “I ask Mary Most Holy to pray that our In his message for Lent 2020, Pope Fran- by it. In this way, you can be reborn ever Christians pray with the knowledge that Lenten celebration will open our hearts to cis spoke about the “urgency of conver- anew.” they are unworthy, but still loved by God, hear God’s call to be reconciled to himself, sion,” and quoted his 2019 apostolic exhor- During Lent, a penitential period preced- he said. to fix our gaze on the Paschal Mystery, tation Christus Vivit. ing the Church’s celebration of the death Francis also spoke about the Paschal and to be converted to an open and sin- “Keep your eyes fixed on the outstretched and resurrection of Christ, Catholics are Mystery and putting it at the centre of one’s cere dialogue with him.” — By Hannah arms of Christ crucified, let yourself be called to a renewed practice of almsgiving, life, which, he said means to have compas- Brockhaus, CNA A prayer for our nation Leader: O God, Judge of the nations, how wrong they are about sin, righteousness and judgment. Let us proclaim the name of the Lord; put fear into our hearts O Lord, declare the power of your works to and ascribe greatness to our God! so that we may know that we are only human. Your peoples and let us be filled with the knowledge of Father, the whole of creation groans Your glory as the waters cover the sea. All: and labours to be delivered from the bondage of corruption, Lord, your work is perfect. into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Gather us, O Lord, in Your Name And all your ways are just. and may all worship the One True God. Amen. Let Your voice be heard today Lord Jesus, send forth Your Spirit of Truth by all the nations! and let this Spirit prove to ‘the powers that be’ (A prayer composed from various Scripture verses of the Bible) 2 Forum / Reflection HERALD March 8, 2020 Injustice, wickedness will not flourish t a critical moment for us in Malaysia Plundering and violence confront me, con- last Sunday, the Gospel reading was that tention and discord flourish. Aof Jesus being tempted at the start of his Sunday Observer 4 And so the law loses its grip and justice mission. never emerges, since the wicked outwits Famished in the desert, he had fasted for 40 By the upright and so justice comes out per- days. The evil one then tempted him to take the Anil Netto verted…. easy way out: use his power to turn stones to 6 For look, I am stirring up the Chaldae- bread. [email protected] ans, that fierce and fiery nation who march And then he was tempted to fall off the para- miles across country to seize the homes of pet of the Temple and ask God to save him — in others. effect, putting God to the test. were pitilessly crucified. the vision of a new kingdom based on love and 7 They are dreadful and awesome, a law Finally, Jesus was taken to a very high moun- What could be a more difficult setting than justice. and authority to themselves…. tain and shown all the kingdoms of the world this to plant the seeds of the kingdom of God. This, he must have realised, could not be 9 …. they scoop up prisoners like sand. and all its splendour. The seductive lure of Pow- And yet, this is precisely what Jesus’ mission changed by a political victory or military strug- Habakkuk simply cannot understand this, just er and Wealth. All this would be his if only he was about. gle as the zealots of his time were trying to do. as we today cannot understand how God can would bow to evil and even worship it. Many among the followers of Jesus saw in What would be the point of that if people’s mind- allow injustice and wickedness to flourish. The But Jesus refused and rebuked this triple over- him a messiah who would liberate them from sets remained unchanged over time, if greed, the prophet simply has to rely on God’s wisdom: ture. He remained steadfast to his mission. the clutches of oppressive rule. They were there- lust for power and corruption remained? 13 Your eyes are too pure to rest on evil, These are troubling times for us. We seem to fore puzzled when Jesus told them not to tell Jesus realised that lasting, meaningful change you cannot look on at oppression. Why do have regressed to the ways of old. If we think anyone he was the Messiah (Matthew 16:10). could not come from the top down. It had to you look on at those who play the traitor, our world is in a mess, everything around it Why would he do that? come from the bottom-up, and so he worked why say nothing while the wicked swallows crumbling, consider the time of Jesus. Perhaps he did not want them to think he was among the ordinary people ushering in a new someone more upright than himself? The territory around him was under the Ro- going to deliver them from Roman occupation. kingdom based on love, compassion and justice 14 Why treat people like fish of the sea, like man Empire. This was the most extensive socio- Sure, he could have summoned forth divine for the poor, the marginalised, people with lep- gliding creatures who have no leader? political structure in Western civilisation. When forces and resoundingly defeated the Romans rosy and the outcasts of society. 15 They haul them all up on their hook, they Jesus was born, the first emperor, Augustus Cae- but what would that have achieved in the long There could be no shortcuts nor did he want to catch them in their net, they sweep them up sar, who considered himself a son of god, was in run? put God to the test by summoning divine forces, in their dragnet and then make merry and power. The empire itself would reach its peak a If he forced the collapse of the Roman Em- as he told Pilate. rejoice. hundred years later. pire earlier than it eventually did, what would Six hundred years earlier, the prophet Habak- 16 And so they offer a sacrifice to their net, The Romans imposed an uneasy peace that he have achieved? Other empires would have kuk, who lived around the time of the prophets and burn incense to their dragnet, for by they believed would bring prosperity. But it was emerged — as they did — in the course of hu- Zephaniah and Jeremiah, could not understand these they get a rich living and live off the a superficial peace imposed through the force of man history. how God could allow the picked (represented fat of the land. military conquest wherein entire nations were But Jesus’ mission was neither a short-term by Babylon under the Chaldean dynasty) to We can be assured that the Lord is just and subjugated (Pax Romana). political movement nor an easy route to defeat punish the less wicked (represented by the na- merciful. Wickedness will eventually be van- At the local level, Jesus was scathing in his the forces of Roman rule. tion of Judah). quished even though for a time, the darkness condemnation of the religious hypocrites with a Jesus saw that the fundamental problem was Habukkuk just could not understand it but he might be overwhelming, just like it was on that false notion of purity and honour who worked not the political-religious — even patriarchal — put his trust in God’s wisdom. His anguish may Good Friday afternoon. with political elites to oppress the ordinary peo- oppression and domination. The real problem resonate with ours today: But ultimately, the dazzling light of the Resur- ple through burdensome rituals, injustice and a lay in the hearts and minds of ordinary people 2 How long, Yahweh, am I to cry for help rection will prevail, and nothing can stand in the system of heavy taxes. Many were pushed from and leaders who had succumbed to greed, se- while you will not listen... way of the kingdom of love and justice spread- poverty to destitution as they lost their land to duced by wealth and power. Their mindsets had 3 Why do you make me see wrong-doing, ing from a tiny grain of mustard seed – from the wealthy estates. Those who opposed the empire to change, their hardened hearts had to accept why do you countenance oppression? ground up. Second Sunday of Lent: Insufficient, Inadequate, Incomplete or a Life Worth Living? his is my Beloved Son, Listen to Him!” love. You are far more than a couple whom bi- “TThe voice on the Mountain of the Trans- ology, necessity, and pheromones have brought Reflecting on our Sunday Readings figuration, the voice of God the Father was not together. No, you are called to be part of the speaking to Jesus who had radiated His Divin- big picture, the plan for humankind’s return to Perhaps your careers are over, your children 2nd Sunday of Lent are raising your grandchildren and perhaps ity. It was not speaking to Moses, who had God. Be the light on the mountain, show the Readings: Genesis 12:1-4a; come to discuss the Word of God in the Law world the way that Christian love transforms a even those are in college now. Perhaps age and with the Word of God in the Flesh. It was not house into a home, into a little church. sickness have reduced what you can physically 2 Timothy 1:8b-10; speaking to Elijah who was there to discuss the Maybe you have been called to be a parent, do. Perhaps you are tempted to say to your- Gospel: Matthews 17:1-9 Word of God in the Prophets with the Word of or parents. Do not just take care of your chil- self, “I’ve done my best to complete what God God standing before him. No, “This is my Be- dren. Insufficient. Inadequate. Incomplete. You wants from me in life. I’m done now. I’ve done the big picture. God has a role for you in His loved Son, Listen to Him,” was directed to the and your husband or wife made your children, my part.” Incomplete! Your life is not over until plan for humankind. “This is my Son, my Be- disciples Peter, James and John. The voice was or perhaps their biological parents who gave it is over. How do you know what God’s plans loved, listen to Him.” Listen to Jesus. So, you directed to the disciples, Sue and Mary, Fred them to you through an agency. However, God are for you? Maybe there is that one person you are all upset, tied up in a knot, because your and Chris. The voice was directed to each of also made them. They were created by God to are going to visit to cheer up this week who girlfriend or boyfriend dumped you, or because us. bring a new reflection of His love to the World. will finally embrace Christ. How do you know you knew that you needed to dump him or her. Those on that mountain had been discussing They have spiritual potential beyond our abil- what God’s plans are for you? Maybe there is Life is so much more than this. Or you are all the plan, God’s plan for the salvation of hu- ity to imagine. Do not let them waste their po- that one prayer you will say today that will con- upset because you did not make the team, or mankind, the return of humankind to God. The tential. Do not train them to waste their lives. vince someone to give in to Grace, to change the college. God, obviously, has other things in Word of God become flesh would offer His Teach them to make God’s love their centre, his or her life, to turn to God. The race is not store. Look for the big picture. You were creat- flesh on the Cross to begin the plan. The disci- their reason for being. Do this by the way over until we cross the finish line of life. Only ed to lead others in the quest for meaning, in the ples, who listen to Him, will continue the plan you live your lives, as well as by the way you then are we able to embrace the Life of Christ. quest for Christ. You are an integral part of the until God’s will is complete. We will continue pray. Challenge your children to embrace a life “But,” you say, “I have not run a very good plan. Yes, you are hurt because of something the plan, at least if we are willing to embrace a worth living. race. I have had parts of my life where I gave that happened to you. But don’t let that hurt dis- life worth living. Perhaps you are not called to marriage or to up, gave myself over to life without Christ.” suade you from your whole purpose for being. We have been called to be Christians. We parenthood, but live as a single man or woman Do not look back! God has forgiven you; you You and I are not just a few of billions of have been called to follow Christ in every as- embracing a career. Whether you are married need to forgive yourselves. Do not look back. people. We are not insignificant. We have been pect of our lives, until our part in the plan is or single, do not just go to work to make mon- Remember what happened to Lot’s wife. She chosen to continue the work of Jesus Christ. complete. ey. There are people there in that office, on that looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah, those How great is that? How great is our God! Anything less is insufficient, inadequate, in- job site, in that hospital room, doctor’s office, cities of sin. Then she was frozen in her place, During Lent, we remind ourselves of the complete. law firm, wherever there are people there who turned into a pillar of salt and rock. That is what message on that mountain, the Mountain Perhaps, God has called you to the sacrament are longing for God, even if they do not know happens to us when we look back at the sins of of the Transfiguration: “This is my beloved of marriage. Do not just love your husband, why their lives are so desperate, so meaning- our lives. We become petrified, pillars of rock Son, Listen to Him.” We remember the mes- your wife, the way every other man or woman less. Do not just go to work. Bring Christ to that can no longer move forward. God forgives sage. We consider how well we have listened, in the world loves her husband or his wife. work. Work as a Christian. Treat others with us so we can move forward. He forgives us so how well we are listening. And we leave the Insufficient, inadequate, incomplete. Love the kindness that is the real magnet that draws we can assume the role he has for each of us in mountain with the other disciples, determined your husband; love your wife the way that others to Jesus. Let others see that you live the His Plan. to complete the role set aside for each one Jesus loves us, on the Cross, at the Resurrec- values you profess. Anything other than that is Young people. Do not waste your lives! You of us for all eternity, the role, our role, in His tion. Love with sacrificial love. Love with life just wasting your time for the sake of making do not exist for the sake of school/college. Do plan. We leave the mountain this Sunday de- giving love. Put him first, put her first, and let money. You are so much more than that. You not sell yourselves short, infinitely short. You termined to embrace a life worth living. — By the rest of the world experience Christ in your are so much better than that. were created to be part of God’s plan. Look for Msgr Joseph A Pellegrino HERALD March 8, 2020 Home / Pastoral 3 Malaysian Bishops’ Diaries ME programme helps March 2020 ARCHBISHOP JULIAN LEOW to rejuvenate marriages KUALA LUMPUR ARCHDIOCESE

11 PMPT Core Team Meeting – APC, KL 11 Peninsular Bishops’ Finance Meeting

BISHOP BERNARD PAUL MALACCA JOHORE DIOCESE 11 PMPT Core Team Meeting – APC, KL 11 Peninsular Bishops’ Finance Meeting – KL 11-12 Clergy Monthly Recollection – Good Shepherd Catholic Married couples with Fr Gerard Theraviam at the Marriage Encounter Weekend. Seminary, Melaka KUALA LUMPUR: A Marriage En- “We learned that communication and for all married couples, especially 12 Launching of MJD50 (Malacca counter Weekend (ME 176) was held understanding each other were the es- young married couples, as the pro- February 14 to 16 at the Archdiocesan sential elements to bringing back the gramme changes the entire perception Johore Diocese’s 50th Jubilee Pastoral Centre with 13 couples partici- spark into our marriage, to loving each about marriage that we grew up know- Celebration) – St Paul’s Hill pating. other completely and to deepening our ing – a satisfying paradigm shift for a 14 Healing Mass – Healing of This is a sharing by one of the cou- intimacy. We realised that no marriage happy marriage! Relationship Rally by Sr Maxim ples, Augustin Vimalarasan Thiviyana- is perfect and smooth sailing but there is “God’s intervention at an early stage Soon – MAJODI Centre than and Tabitha Vijaya Muniandy. always a way to manage each challenge of our marriage has assured us of the “Unlike the usual annual celebration we encounter in a very effective and love and mission He has for us for the BISHOP SEBASTIAN FRANCIS for Valentine’s, this year we decided to positive way. Understanding each other vocation we choose – Holy Matrimo- take a different path of bringing mean- also enables us to trust and respect each ny.” PENANG DIOCESE ing to the day dedicated for lovers. other’s needs and limitations. The upcoming dates for the Marriage “Running on our sixth year in our “We attended the ‘Weekend’ with Encounter Weekend in 2020 are :- 11 PMPT Core Team Meeting – APC, KL marriage, we were prompted by the open minds although there were some June 19 – 21 - English 11 Peninsular Bishops’ Finance “calling” we had when our parish priest doubts on how a weekend could become August 21 – 23 - Mandarin Meeting – KL announced the Marriage Encounter magical in our marriage. At the end of October 16 – 18 - Tamil Weekend scheduled for Feb 14 – 16, the weekend, we truly experienced the October 23 – 25 - English 12 CHARIS Malaysia Meeting – and we are glad to having responded to magic of the ‘Weekend’! It will be held at the Archdiocesan APC, KL the call. It was an amazing weekend for “ To conclude – We are greatly thank- Pastoral Centre, Kuala Lumpur 15 St Joseph’s Chapel – 100 years us as we had an opportunity to refresh ful that we did not delay our participa- Please contact wwmeselwil@archkl. Bidor, Perak and rejuvenate our marriage with the tion in the ‘Weekend’. org or your respective Marriage En- presence and blessing of God Almighty. “We strongly endorse this programme counter Parish Reps to register. Press Statements PERSATUAN GEREJA-GEREJA MAJLIS GEREJA-GEREJA DI SARAWAK MALAYSIA COUNCIL OF (ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES IN SARAWAK) CHURCHES OF MALAYSIA “ANEW CREATION” For all Christians and Churches in Sarawak. A Revived Church and a Renewed Nation

1. PRAYER FOR OUR BELOVED NATION MALAYSIA CALL FOR SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR THE NATION The Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) requests that fasting, penance and interces- The Council of Churches of Malaysia calls all churches to offer special prayers sions be offered for our beloved nation Malaysia, for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Rulers and during their worship services this Sunday in the light of the political uncertainty political leaders, to make sound decisions for the common good of our nation and rakyat that pervades the nation in our current time. “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be The prayers are intended to encourage Christians to turn to God for guidance in made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and order to maintain the peace and harmony that lie at the foundation of our national quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Tim 2:1-2). life in our diverse country. ACS rejects all forms of religious fundamentalism and racial-based politics that will cause This is in keeping with the Biblical injunction where it states: Prayers, interces- disharmony and division in our nation. sions…be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that ● The candidate for Prime Minister must reject religious extremism and be committed to we may lead a quiet and peaceable life…” (1 Tim 2: 1-3) racial unity and religious harmony in our tanahair MALAYSIA. The churches are deeply concerned not only for the well-being of our nation, ● Prime Minister is for ALL Malaysians, not for any particular race or religion. but also for the witness of the churches to foster reconciliation and peace in all circumstances. The present political crisis calls Christians, and all other Malay- 2. PRAYER IN TIME OF OUTBREAK OF COVID-19 sians of goodwill, to seek to go deeper into our relationship with each other, Amidst this COVID-19 outbreak, let us remain vigilant, ensure hygienic practices and main- across racial and religious lines, and to forge to build society based on justice and tain health precautions in all our houses of worship. Let us intercede for the current COVID peace for all. 19 outbreak that is adversely affecting the world’s economy, the lives and health of so many people throughout Malaysia and the world. The CCM calls upon all the elected representatives of our Parliament to search “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, their conscience and honour their oath of office and to do everything to prioritise with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which tran- justice and peace in deciding the future course of our country. scends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We encourage all churches to pray in the spirit of the experiences of Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7) Christ in the wilderness in this season of Lent. We should always uphold justice ACS is committed to promotion of peace, harmony, unity, integrity, social development over greed, humble service over domination and just principles over abuse of and well-being for all Malaysians of all races, creed and cultures. power. May Almighty God guide us to a peaceful solution to our political crisis within the framework of justice and peace.

Archbishop Simon Poh Rev Dr Hermen Shastri Chairman ACS (Sarawak) General Secretary February 29, 2020 February 28, 2020 4 Home HERALD March 8, 2020 Celebrating World Day of the Sick in Penang PENANG: The Church of the Immaculate months. He knows what it is to be put on a sick, many were overcome and in tears. Conception (CIC) celebrated the World restrictive diet and what it is to be sick. He Caregivers and communion ministers were Day of the Sick, February 15. A total of 75 reassured those present that they are very also blessed. elderly and infirm parishioners were - pre much loved and that the Mass was specially Various ministries had taken pains in sent together with their caregivers and fam- for them. They are not to feel useless or that making the event a memorable day for the ily members. For some of them, because of they are a burden to their families. Fr Jude sick, the homebound and the infirm of the their immobility, it was a once a year affair also urged caregivers to cherish their loved parish. The hospitality ministers were all to be present at the Eucharistic Celebration. ones even if they are slow, clumsy, forgetful in line to ensure that those who had diffi- Confession was available and Mass with and hard of hearing. They are our very own. culty in walking were wheeled in. A deli- the anointing of the sick was celebrated by In his message for the World Day of the cious meal was prepared by the ministry Fr Oliver Tham OFM, with Fr Jude Miran- Sick 2020, the Holy Father Pope Francis involved. There was porridge for those da and Fr Francis Anthony concelebrating. has urged the human warmth and personal- who were on a soft diet. At the courtyard In his homily, Fr Jude touched the hearts ised approach of Christ, the Good Samari- where food was served, many happily chat- of many when he testified how he had him- tan, in healthcare professionals, workers ted with the priests and parishioners who self experienced the anguish and pain of and volunteers. moved from table to table mingling with the sick when he was hospitalised for three As the priests went around anointing the the crowd. Fr Francis Anthony anointing the elderly. Praying for the sick and their caregivers Fr Patrick Heng PENANG: The Church of the Divine Mercy (CDM) celebrated the 28th World feted at his Day of the Sick on February 15. The theme of the Mass was Our Lord Heals. A total of 60 people registered for anointing silver jubilee and blessing. KUCHING: February 18, 2020 marked 25 In his homily, parish priest Fr Martin years of Fr Patrick Heng’s priestly ordination. Arlando recalled the words of Pope Fran- A Thanksgiving Mass was celebrated at St Jo- cis when he welcomed the sick on the seph’s Cathedral. Archbishop Simon Poh ex- World Day of the Sick with the words of pressed his gratitude and thanks to the Heng Jesus. “Come to me, all you who are wea- family for giving their son to serve the people ry and burdened, and I will give you rest. of God. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Archbishop me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, Emeritus John Ha, and you will find rest for your souls. For in his homily, reiter- my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ated that Fr Heng’s (Matthew 11: 28-30). He explained that dedication as an the Pope’s message is that God doesn’t altar server must make demands on the sick. He provides Fr Martin Arlando giving mandarin oranges to the elderly and sick after Mass. have given him a comfort and looks into their hearts with tin said that those who have experienced al, not only the physical needs of those very profound ex- compassion. Jesus himself endured the suffering themselves are able to genu- under their care. He reminded them to perience of God’s suffering on the cross and received com- inely give comfort to others. A family treasure the time given to them and turn love for him, espe- fort from His Father. The sick and suffer- that needs this support and comfort will to Jesus for the strength to overcome the cially in the Holy ing require warmth and consolation. All attract the eyes of Jesus. The Church de- grip of the evil one. Jesus gives healing to Eucharist. It must those experiencing any form of illness, be sires to be a home where we can come to help undo every pain and disappointment have drawn within it life threatening, physical, emotional or encounter the grace of God to obtain ac- if we surrender ourselves to whatever is him something so psychological, require love. ceptance, comfort and rest. Everyone in bothering us. We need to be always in his overpowering that Fr Patrick Heng A grave sickness often affects more the Church is called to lend their support presence with the confidence that He will he decided to forgo than just an individual; often the whole and help towards those who need it. One be with us in everything we do. a very bright future in the secular world, as he family suffers along and needs support promotes the life and dignity of everyone At the end of Mass, each sick person saw an even brighter future in the hands of God and comfort. Jesus has given the invita- and rejects euthanasia, even in terminal was given two mandarin oranges and an in His vineyard. tion to “Come to me”. Jesus didn’t give cases. In such instances, the sick need to ang pow. Everyone was then invited for He further added that the joy Fr Heng experi- prescriptions for a cure but frees us from be protected, loved and served. a brunch sponsored by the Extraordinary enced is God’s affirmation that He loves us un- the grip of the evil one. Fr Martin reminded those in the family Ministers of Communion who organised conditionally: “Love begets Love” (God’s love In mentioning the caregivers, Fr Mar- of the sick to give priority to the emotion- this event. —By Dr Ivan Filmer for me begets my love for God and my love for others). Loving others is loving God and that brings joy. Parishioners urged to be attentive to the call of God A celebratory dinner was held earlier on Feb BUTTERWORTH: “When you give God is plentiful, but the workers are few”. These 16 at a local restaurant with about 800 people what you have, He blesses you abundant- words penetrated deep within him. He knew from different parishes, near and far, attending. ly” attested Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, parish at that moment that his call was to the priest- The dinner was graced by Kuching Archbish- priest of the Church of the Nativity of the hood. op Simon Poh and Archbishop Emeritus John Blessed Virgin Mary (NVBM) in celebrat- He also recounted that on the day of ordi- Ha, as well as invited priests from West Malay- ing the 14th anniversary of his sacerdotal nation, he was seated with his family. Then sia, Indonesia, Philippines and Pakistan. ordination during the sunset Mass, January the formator invited those to be ordained to In his speech, Fr Heng thanked everyone for 25. The celebration culminated with a cake come forward. He said that it was a step by their support throughout his 25 years of service cutting ceremony and light refreshments. step journey, beginning with an invitation, to the people of God. He also added that the In his homily, Fr Dom reminded the pa- our response and a decision. There is no love and care God gave him through fellow pa- rishioners that sometimes we may get caught turning back, only drawing closer to Jesus. rishioners made him a joyful priest despite all in the busyness of life that we miss out on the Fr Dom urged the congregation to be at- the challenges he faced. graces of God because we fail to be attentive tentive to the call of God. We may also have He hoped that through his sharing in the ju- to his voice. He reiterated the verses from a call within a call, he said. In his life as a bilee booklet, many young people may be in- Isaiah (8:23-9:3) that Jesus is the light and if priest, he has received the call to pursue the spired to consider the religious vocation and Jesus becomes part of our life He will be our Parishioners of NBVM congratulating Fr study of Canon Law. Currently he heads the answer God’s calling. help and strength (Psalm 27). He explained Dominic on his anniversary. Ecclesiastical Tribunal in Penang Diocese. Entertainment at the celebration dinner in- that we experience Jesus through the word of of his discernment, he had a dream of some- He encouraged all the single men to come cluded performances from the Tabuan Dayak God when we come together to pray, and in one pointing towards a Bible verse, Luke forward and answer the call of God- “be at- Group, HTC Sunday School, Chinese Youth the Eucharist. Chapter 10. He did not think much of it un- tentive, respond to the call and you will be Ministry, Combined Choirs, Parish Pastoral In the same way, he recapped his call to til he came across an ordination poster that blessed abundantly”, he said. — By Sheila Council and the Fransiscan Sisters. — By Alan the priesthood at the age of 24. In the midst revealed the verse in Lk 10: 2 “the harvest Rose Darmaraj Chen, Today’s Catholic HERALD March 8, 2020 Home 5 Pioneer batch of theology programme, DEPTh graduate KUALA LUMPUR: The pioneer batch of Ma- laysian laity enrolled in the Distance Educa- tion Programme in Theology (DEPTh) saw the culmination of their 3.5 years of studies with a graduation ceremony held February 22 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre. A total of 58 graduates received their Diplo- ma in Theology, while another four received a Certificate of Completion from the renowned Vidyajyoti College of Theology, India. In 2016, the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute (API) under the directorship of Dr Clarence Devadass, became the first institute in the Asian The DEPTh graduates with Archbishop Julian Leow, Fr Dr Clarence Devadass, Dr Steven Selvaraju at the graduation ceremony on February 22, 2020. region to collaborate with Vidyajyoti to offer a the graduation, had to unfortunately cancel his the laity. Though the methods and programmes that you have done in the past 3.5 years must distance education programme in Theology for trip due to the coronavirus threat. were different, he pointed out that it all had the now bear fruit in good pastoral action.” the laity here in Malaysia. Fr Clarence, when addressing the graduates same objective – offering empowerment of the As a parting advice, he said, “The Archdioc- In his opening address at the graduation cer- and guests, said that the graduation ceremony laity. “Today we are here simply because of esan Pastoral Institute and Vidyajyoti College emony, current API Director Dr Steven Selva- marked yet another step in the long journey to- these men who tirelessly worked for the spirit of Theology have provided and taught you the raju, thanked his predecessor Fr Dr Clarence wards theological formation for the laity. “This of Vatican II to be incarnated in our Archdiocese tools of understanding theology but now it is for initiating the programme in Malaysia so journey is not solely the product of a collabora- and set us on this ongoing journey.” time to find the space where you want to do the- that the laity could receive quality theological tion between the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute Addressing the graduates, Fr Clarence said ology. Knowing theology and doing theology formation from a reputed academic institution and Vidyajyoti College of Theology, but a jour- that their graduation must serve as their launch are parts of one puzzle and they cannot exist one and which was best done through a distance ney that was started in the minds of the priests pad into the life and ministry of the Church. He without the other.” learning course. He also thanked his immediate and bishops who were gathered at the Aggior- cautioned that if they do not move in that direc- Archbishop Julian Leow, who presented the predecessor Msgr Mitchel Anthony for ensuring namento 1976 in Penang, where they identified tion, all this effort would be considered futile in graduates with their diplomas and certificates, the continuation of the programme and enabling formation (apart from Unity, Integral Human the greater scheme of God’s plan. congratulated them for their perseverance, deter- a smooth transition when he took over as the Di- Development and Interreligious Dialogue), as Making reference to St James’ epistle on faith mination and self-discipline. He advised them to rector of API in 2018. one of the important fruits of the Second Vati- and good works … “faith without good works use the knowledge gained to expand their mis- While acknowledging that having to work can Council, that is the empowerment and for- is useless … faith is dead if it is separated from sion in becoming witnesses of the Gospel. The with an institute which was based in India was mation of the laity.” good deeds”, Fr Clarence paraphrased saying archbishop also welcomed the new cohort of both challenging and enriching, Dr Steven ex- Fr Clarence went on to say that it was his that theology without action is useless … the- students for the 2020-2022 intake and expressed pressed his gratitude to Fr Joseph Rajkumar, SJ predecessors at API, namely Fr Paul Tan, SJ, Fr ology is empty if it is not complemented with hope that in the course of their journey, the stu- the Director of Vidyajyoti who was always on Peter Kim, SJ and Fr Dr John Gnanapiragasam ministry. “Good theology needs good pastoral dents will be able to deepen their Catholic faith hand to support, advise and assist him in many who, together with other clergy and lay col- action; good pastoral action needs good theo- and search for avenues of greater participation ways. Fr Rajakumar, who had planned to be at laborators, initiated the theological journey for logical foundation. Therefore, all the theology in the Church. — By Patricia Pereira Theology of the body Understanding human sexuality and the Church JOHOR BAHRU: Speaking on reflection with the JOHOR BAHRU: Sex education, by and young from Theology of the Body, Dr Chan Lek large, are nothing more than teaching about Lim said the girl has her own space, her own dignity how babies are made, followed by various which should not be violated but be respected. contraceptive methods of avoiding pregnan- He agreed that very often when sexual activity cy, devoid of human or moral values. happens before marriage or outside of marriage, the Speaking to a group of catechists, parents, woman’s space and dignity is violated. lay leaders and laity, Dr Chan Lek Lim, a Na- “Permission for her freely given “Yes” is not sought tional Family Planning (NFP) teacher-trainer, but she is manipulated until it happens,” he said. said Church teaching advocates the inclu- Elaborating further, he said they are in a lonely sion of human and moral values, otherwise place and they touch each other, kiss each other until it would just be an introduction to pleasure Participants at the talk on Understanding Human Sexuality in Today’s Context. they cannot say ‘No’ anymore with clothing coming without responsibility. it unstable. the love of God at the beginning and shame off and neither person objects. Dr Chan was speaking on Understanding He told the audience that in order to get a came in only after they sinned,” he explained. At that point, Dr Chan says, they lose their freedom Human Sexuality in Today’s Context organ- good grasp of Christian Human Sexuality, He said the shame represented a deep de- because they cannot say “No” anymore. ised by the Diocesan Family Life & Laity we need to understand the whole mission to sire to be loved but feared that the person He made it clear to them that they are not con- Commission at the Mission Pastoral Institute which he/she is called. would not love rightly. If he saw the naked- demned because the whole world tells them to do it if (MPI) in Majodi Centre, Feb 22. He said, “We need to understand the Total ness instead, they would treat each other as they feel like it. His presentation started off with discuss- Vision of Man (St Pope Paul VI) which is objects for self-gratification. He stressed that they have not been given any val- ing the current situation in our society where fully explained by St Pope John Paul II in The Dr Chan then gave a spousal analogy stat- ues about the beauty of sex and hence he invited them 18,000 under-aged girls are getting pregnant Theology of the Body. ing the Bible begins with the marriage of the to reflect. each year. Returning to the beginning in the Book of first man and woman in the first book, Gen- At this point, he said, feeling guilty means having He pointed out that politicians and social Genesis, he said, original man had three ex- esis. And it ends with the last book, Apoca- done something not right and not only one is doing workers are responding with suggestions of periences for our reflection on human sexu- lypse, with the marriage of Christ and his something not right but has led another to do some- the need of sex education in schools. ality – Original Solitude, Original Unity and Church, representing full union on our arrival thing not right together. He said the Church further points out that Original nakedness. in heaven. He also cautioned that premarital sexual activity sex education is a basic right and duty of par- He stated that Adam found no helpmate He made it clear that the most common can cause instability of marriage and lack of trust ents and must always be carried out under among the animals as he realised he is differ- image throughout the Bible to illustrate the from day one of their marriage. their attentive guidance. ent from them. relationship between God and his people is “I invite them to stop until they are married,” he He continued, “The majority of parents “God had breathed into his nostrils and so the spousal relationship – the one-flesh union. said, adding that many couples do. know little of the concept of Christian under- he received a divine life and he had intellect Thus, he said, sexual intercourse between He assured them that he is not telling them to stop standing of sexuality which, at present, is best and will which the animals did not, also the husband and wife is meant to reflect the com- but it has to be their own decision after their own re- contained in the Theology of the Body as ex- capacity to do good and do evil,” he said. plete union of God and his people – the mar- flection. pounded by St Pope John Paul II.” He said then God created woman as his riage covenant is an image of the bigger cov- Concluding his talk, Dr Chan said the current (pre- He cautioned that without this basic knowl- helpmate from his own rib – the two are one enant between God and us, the Church. marital) sexual experiences are tainted with fear of edge, we cannot expect much from parents in as he exclaimed, “This at last is bone of my Touching on Faithful and Fruitful, he said pregnancy as many are practicing withdrawal or us- the way of proper sex education, adding that bone and flesh of my flesh,” – thus was the our call to love as Christ is imprinted in our ing condoms which makes the sexual experience less “sex education of their children is left to the original unity. bodies. And the nature of Christ’s love con- beautiful than what God intended it to be. mercy of world values.” The speaker went on to elaborate further sists of four main ingredients which are Free, He added that, deep down, every human heart is He also pointed out that the result is wide- stating, “The man and his wife were both na- Total, Faithful and Fruitful. a longing to have sex the way God created it to be spread premarital sexual activity among ked and were not ashamed” – that’s the expe- “These are at the core of the marriage vows and many will come back saying they have decided couples which can cause damage in the long rience of the original nakedness. – to love freely without reservations faithfully to stop and wait till after marriage. — By Vincent term to their marriage relationship, making “That is because they fully participated in and fruitfully,” he stressed. D’Silva 6 Asia HERALD March 8, 2020 Christian leaders in New Delhi ask churches to open doors to riot victims NEW DELHI: Christian leaders in New Delhi killing as the work of vested political interests have condemned the communal violence in and forces of hate.” the Indian capital and asked churches to open The EFI statement appealed to the people their doors to victims of the riots. of Delhi to “maintain peace and not to give in The violence that started Feb 23 in several to vicious vitriol fed by rumours and spread areas of northeast Delhi has left 27 people through social media. We must not let hate dead and more than 200 injured in the dead- win.” liest episode of unrest in the capital in three It also asked its congregations in Delhi area decades. to open “their hearts and facilities for the af- “At this trying moment, when communal flicted and to come to the aid of the helpless riots have suddenly gripped Delhi, let us come and distraught. This would be our act of ser- forward with our prayers and every possible vice unto our Lord, this Lenten season.” effort to bring relief to the affected people in During the riots, hundreds of vehicles, shops terms of shelter, food and clothing,” said an and homes were burned. Some streets were appeal letter from Archbishop Anil Couto of deserted Feb 26, with people peeping from the Delhi. A man shot by police is rushed to a hospital on a scooter after clashes erupted between people windows of their homes and a heavy deploy- In his letter to parish priests, Archbishop demonstrating for and against a new citizenship law in New Delhi Feb 25, 2020. (CNS photo/ ment of police and paramilitary forces present. Couto said churches should open their prem- Danish Siddiqui, Reuters) Bricks and stones littered the streets, while ises “for this noble cause in the Lenten season. as yet another attempt by the Narendra Modi appealed to churches and Christian organisa- shattered glass, burned homes, offices, show- Please convey this to our people and organise government to marginalise them. tions in affected areas to respond appropriately rooms and vehicles clearly indicated the inten- them for action.” Coupled with the National Register of Citi- to those in need. sity of the violence. Delhi police said 18 first The three days of violence were the worst zens, the community fears the moves are in- The Evangelical Fellowship of India, the information reports were registered at various unrest since the 1992 nationwide riots fol- tended to strip millions of Indian Muslims of national alliance of evangelical Christians, police stations and 106 people had been ar- lowing the demolition of the Babri mosque citizenship. People from other disadvantaged condemned the “reprehensible violence and rested. — CNS in Ayodhya, and possibly since the anti-Sikh caste and gender identities, as well as women, riots of 1984 after the assassination of then- are vulnerable to the national register. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, media reports “Humanity has been knocked down one said. more time, our houses burned, our kindred Asia Bibi seeks political The clashes broke out after groups favour- killed, our peace destroyed, and future be- ing the Citizenship Amendment Act clashed trayed,” said a Feb 26 statement from the Na- with groups protesting it. The act, passed tional Council of Churches in India, the forum asylum in France Dec 11, aims to grant Indian citizenship to of Protestant and Orthodox churches in India. MANCHESTER: Asia Bibi is seeking po- “Obviously I am enormously grateful to persecuted minorities from Muslim-majority “We appeal to members of the different litical asylum in France less than a year af- Canada,” she added, according to a Feb 26 Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan while Christian traditions to facilitate each other and ter fleeing her native Pakistan for the safety statement by the British Pakistani Chris- blocking naturalization of Muslims. all others of different faith traditions and ideo- of Canada. tian Association, a group that campaigned Muslims see their exclusion from the law logical persuasions in their neighbourhoods, to The Catholic mother, who spent nearly a for her release. that makes religion the basis of citizenship rise from the ashes,” said the statement, which decade on death row in Pakistan after she It is unclear, however, if Bibi and her was falsely accused of blasphemy against family have yet made a formal application Islam, wants to live closer to French writer for asylum in France. Anne-Isabelle Tollet, who was influential Bibi, a mother of five, had been sen- Casket Paradise in her fight for freedom and helped her to tenced to hang for allegedly insulting Mu- write her autobiography, Enfin Libre (Fi- hammad, the founder of Islam, in June & Funeral Care Sdn. Bhd.(311899-W) nally Free). 2009, following a dispute with Muslim co- At present, Bibi is in France to help to workers who, she maintains, objected to PERSONAL ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES promote the book, which so far has been her sharing their water supply because she published only in French, and also to be was a Christian. She has always denied the * Specialised In Christian Funerals made an “honorary citizen” of Paris. blasphemy allegation. * Exclusive Handmade And Polished Wooden Casket During a Feb 24 interview with RTL, a Islamic extremists were vocal in de- * Restoration And Cosmetology French radio station, Bibi declared, “My manding her execution and, for her own * British Trained & Qualified MBIE Embalming Service (Only One In Malaysia) great desire is to go to France.” safety, she was held in solitary confine- * Member Of The European Association Of Embalmers She said that although she had no meet- ment from November 2010, when she was * Private Chapel Of Rest And Coldroom Facilities ing scheduled with Emmanuel Macron, convicted. While she was incarcerated, she * Economical, Budget Planned & 24 hrs Service “obviously I would like the president to saw sunlight for just two hours a month. hear my request” (for asylum). “During my detention, I held the hand of In a news release from Aid to the Church Christ,” she said. “It is thanks to him that 19B, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, in Need, a Catholic charity, Bibi confirmed I have stayed standing. Do not be afraid.” TEL: 03-2148 5776, 2148 4855 50460 Kuala Lumpur. FAX: 03-2143 1442 that she was seeking asylum in France. “It is thanks to the media that I am still H/P: 012-333 4899 / 012-333 4646 / 019-777 5537 “I have found a lot of love here,” she alive,” she added. — By Simon Caldwell, said. “I think I’d be fine.” CNS z HERALD March 8, 2020 Asia 7 Cardinal Suharyo on Pope Francis’ visit JAKARTA: Pope Francis’ expected ap- nuns in Jakarta’s cathedral. gious conflict. ostolic trip to Indonesia next September After some unconfirmed reports, the The high-ranking NU official later spoke might include a Eucharistic celebration Indonesian government on January 29 an- to Indonesian media noting that the pontiff at the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Se- nounced that the day before its ambassador had told him confidentially that he planned nayan, in the heart of Jakarta, according to the Holy See, Antonius Agus Sriyono, to undertake an apostolic visit to Indone- to Archbishop Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of had delivered to Vatican Secretary of State, sia, Papua New Guinea and East Timor in Jakarta. Card Piero Parolin a formal invitation to September. Card Suharyo, who heads the Catholic Pope Francis to visit the country. When he comes, Francis will be the third Bishops’ Conference of Indonesia (KWI), Rumours about a possible papal visit had pope to visit Indonesia. Paul VI travelled noted that the visit’s schedule and details been circulating for a while, especially in to the Southeast Asian country in 1970. are still being worked out. the wake of remarks made on Jan 20 by St John Paul II followed him in 1989. The prelate said that a Vatican delegation Yahya Cholil Staquf, a member of the Su- The Mass the latter celebrated in Jakarta’s will be in Indonesia in March, after which preme Council of Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), Senayan Sport Stadium drew more than the pontiff’s itinerary and activities will be the world’s largest moderate Islamic or- 110,000 people. announced. ganisation. The Polish Pope led another service in In addition to the Mass, the pontiff is Yahya met with the Pope in the Vatican Yogyakarta, at an open airfield owned by expected to visit Jakarta’s Grand Istiqlal on Jan 15 together with other religious the Indonesian Air Force Academy, as well mosque and meet President Joko “Jokowi” leaders to discuss the importance of so- as one on the predominantly Catholic Flo- Widodo, as well as bishops, priests and cial activism in dealing with interreli- res Island. — AsiaNews Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo Against the revolt in Delhi, prayers and help among religions NEW DELHI: “Let’s love each other, espe- peace together with spiritual leaders of vari- path of mutual love.” The prelate notes: “We hospitalised in private health facilities and cially in this time of Lent,” to overcome re- ous religions. He said that at the end of the do not know who caused the violence. It has will offer compensation to both relatives of ligious violence resulting from protests over Mass in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, resulted in many injuries and deaths, includ- the victims and those who have lost shops the new citizenship law, appealed Msgr Anil “we met in a completely spontaneous way ing a police inspector.” Then he stressed, and other properties in the assaults on the JT Couto, Archbishop of Delhi. outside the church, where other people had “Peace must prevail, as well as unity and neighbourhoods in the north-east of the city, The toll of the clashes that have engulfed already gathered, and we all prayed togeth- harmony. We must emphasise the brother- where the violence took place. the north-east of the capital has risen to 38 er.” With him were the swami Parmanand, hood that exists between us. Religion must India, highlights Msgr Couto, “is the na- dead. The demonstrations, risk ruining “this Paramjit Singh Chandok, president of the not divide society but must unite us with one tion of unity in diversity. We must learn to sacred period that precedes the resurrection Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (Sikh), Acharya another.” love and respect each other, as the values of of Christ, which is instead the time in which Lokesh Muni, Jain guru, Umer Ahmed Il- Following the four-day clashes, the police our Constitution also affirm.” For this reason, we demonstrate that we help each other, the yasi, chief imam of the All India Imam Or- arrested 130 people, detained another 400 he adds, “at the end of the meeting we de- time in which we make sacrifices and reflect ganisation. and filed complaints against 48. On Feb 27, cided that all the churches and Gurdwara of on eternal life.” Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Jain the first citizen Arvind Kejriwal announced the capital will remain open to provide assis- On February 26, Ash Wednesday, Msgr representatives renewed the appeal “for that the Delhi government will pay the medi- tance to the victims of the revolt, regardless Couto took part in an interreligious prayer for peace and non-violence” and to “follow the cal costs of all the injured, including those of belief and any other factor.” — AsiaNews

Mission Manager We invite Catholic candidates who are passionate about serving the community, to take the opportunity to strengthen their professional expertise in cancer care. Join us in Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital, to continue the Mission of the FMDM founders to provide the best and affordable cancer treatment with God’s healing presence. MOUNT MIRIAM CANCER HOSPITAL - Serving with Love in Cancer Care since 1976

JOB SUMMARY  To provide leadership in promoting the mission and core values of Mount Miriam Cancer Hospital (MMCH) that embodies the Catholic identity and ethics.  Ensuring that all activities undertaken by and through MMCH give witness and strengthen the healing ministry of Christ and uphold the purpose of a Catholic Healthcare organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES  Lead the development and implementation of mission integration that uphold and strengthen the mission, vision and values of MMCH as Catholic health service that embraces the Catholic ethos.  Actively participate in developing programs to promote the Franciscan values.  Develop education and formation programs for MMCH Board, staff and business partners.  Develop and lead relevant mission related committees and community outreach programs.  Work with CEO on strategic matters relating to mission and cultural building.  Lead and manage the CPC department to ensure delivery of best practice clinical pastoral care services.  Actively participate in key initiatives to improve patient centered care.

REQUIREMENTS  5 years of related work experience in hospital/ healthcare environment.  Well formed in Catholic tradition. A person who models a collaborative style of servant leadership.  Have some knowledge about contemporary health care delivery systems and the ethical issues it faces.  Living a practical, integrate spirituality.  Has the maturity and ability to establish mutually beneficial relationship with diverse groups of people.  Multi-lingual capability would be an advantage.

WORK LOCATION 23 Jalan Bulan, Fettes Park, 11200 Tanjong Bungah, Penang, Malaysia  Interested, please send your resume with current & expected salary to [email protected]. Please indicate “Application for Mission Manager” as the subject.  Competitive remuneration commensurate with qualification and experience, will be offered to the successful candidate.  For more information on us, please visit our website http://www.mountmiriam.com 8 World HERALD March 8, 2020 Korean Bishop You on prayers, fasting and charity to eradicate coronavirus emergency DAEJEON: Lent, a time of prayer, fasting ry, all 16 Korean dioceses have halted open and charity, began on Ash Wednesday. It is Masses. As a Church, we are following gov- also “a good time to question ourselves about ernment orders and taking part in initiatives God’s plans for humanity, shaken by the cor- to fight the spread of the virus. In my opinion, onavirus emergency,” said Bishop Lazarus the government is responding to the emer- You Heung-sik of Daejeon. gency in an appropriate manner.” “The Almighty Lord is good and merci- Following the example of Pope Francis, ful,” notes the prelate, who chairs the Social the Diocese of Daejeon has launched an ini- Affairs Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ tiative in favour of the people of China. “The Conference of Korea (CBCK). faithful raised money to buy masks, other “He alone knows how much destruction protective gear, and personal care products to this disease will bring. But it is He him- be sent to China.” self who has permitted it. I pray to under- “We want to help our Chinese brothers stand what the Lord is asking humanity, the and sisters, but we couldn’t deliver the ship- Church, the diocese and me. ment. Hence, today we sent it to Daegu. The “Everything that happens, even apparently A worker cleaning the inside of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul, South Korea. (Asianews photo) Church has always led the fight against dis- terrible things, are signs of His infinite love. crisis began. So far, 12 people have died died.” eases that have threatened humanity through- To understand, it is necessary to pray more, from the virus, whilst 1,261 cases have been According to the government, about 80 per out history. to do penance and make sacrifices. I asked reported so far. cent of confirmed cases have two sources, a “Christians must undertake other actions in my faithful to fast every Friday. “In the last few days, we have seen an religious sect based in Daegu, and a hospital addition to prayers. Even reciting the Rosary “The food they won’t eat will be collected unbelievable increase. We thought that the in Cheongdo County. every day is enough, or other deeds of char- and distributed to people in need. Thus, we emergency had been brought under control. Since the start of the crisis, the Catholic ity and penance. Recently, I was touched by shall also help coronavirus victims in a prac- “Still, for most bishops, there is too much Church of Korea has called on people to stay the many doctors and nurses – many of them tical way. On Friday, we shall recite the Ro- scaremongering. The upcoming election on calm and be socially responsible. “The situ- Catholic – who went to Daegu, which is short sary for the end of the epidemic.” Apr 15 is contributing to this. In fact, pro- ation is difficult but we will be able to over- of medical staff. Some homeowners are also On Feb 26 morning, South Korea’s health portionately there have been few casual- come it, praying and trying to understand cutting rents to help people. These are signs authorities announced 284 new Covid-19 ties, almost all elderly and ill for years. To what God wants from and for us.” of great solidarity, stories that move people's cases, the largest one-day increase since the my knowledge, no one young or healthy has “For the first time in the country’s - histo hearts.” — AsiaNews Riyadh blocks pilgrimages and Vatican City implements health measures over coronavirus tourism for fear of the coronavirus VATICAN: The Vatican has implemented RIYADH: The Saudi authorities have ordered according to official estimates, there are 19 special health measures and cancelled some the ban on foreign visitors to enter for Umrah deaths and 139 infections. In reality, experts events as more than 500 people have tested (the minor pilgrimage) and tourists from areas fear that the number could be far greater, also positive for coronavirus in Italy. where the new coronavirus has spread to epi- considering the rapid spread from the Islamic Hand sanitizer dispensers have been in- demic levels. Republic to other areas of the Gulf. stalled in Vatican City offices, and there is a The measure was announced in conjunction The Saudi ministry did not indicate which nurse and a doctor on call at a Vatican clinic with the first time since the beginning of the nations will be affected by the measure and to give immediate assistance, said Holy See health crisis that the number of infections in the added that health authorities will determine Press Office Director Matteo Bruni. world has exceeded those in China where the whether the nation with an outbreak is a dan- While there have been no diagnosed cases disease originated. ger. “Saudi Arabia renews its support for all in- of the coronavirus in Vatican City, Bruni said The Wahhabite kingdom, home of the two ternational measures to limit the spread of this Feb 24 that Vatican health staff have worked holy places par excellence of Islam, welcomes virus, and urges its citizens to exercise caution with the Italian Ministry of Health on proce- millions of faithful and visitors every year, before travelling to countries experiencing cor- dures which can be brought into action, and reaching peak during the Hajj, the major pil- onavirus outbreaks,” the Saudi Foreign Minis- are in close contact with the regional authori- Young people wear masks for protection from grimage. Last October, Riyadh’s leaders intro- try said in a statement announcing the decision. ties in Lazio. the coronavirus as they wait for the start of Pope duced a new type of tourism visa, which ben- The attention of the authorities is concentrat- “In compliance with the provisions of the Francis’ general audience in St Peter’s Square efits 49 nations. ed on the major pilgrimage, which in the past Italian authorities, some events scheduled for at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) In a note, the Saudi foreign ministry stressed has already been an occasion for the outbreak the next few days in indoor places and with a slight indisposition,” according to the Holy that the suspension measure is temporary in na- of epidemics, the first of which occurred at the an important influx of public have been post- See press office. However, the Pope’s other ture, although it does not indicate the duration. dawn of Islam, in 632 when pilgrims had to poned,” Bruni said. appointments, such as Mass in the chapel of To date, there are no official indications about face malaria. In 1821 a cholera epidemic killed With Pope Francis’ Lenten retreat sched- the Casa Santa Marta, took place as usual. the Hajj, the major pilgrimage, which should a total of 20 thousand people; another cholera uled for March 1-6, there are no papal audi- Italian authorities reported 528 cases of the begin in late July. Entrance to the prophet’s epidemic in 1865 killed 15 thousand pilgrims, ences scheduled, but conferences in Rome coronavirus Feb 27 with 14 deaths. Nearly all mosque in Medina is also prohibited. and then spread all over the world. and other indoor events have been cancelled. of the reported cases are in northern Italy. In So far, Saudi Arabia has not recorded cases Mers (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) A conference scheduled to take place March response to the outbreak, Italian officials have of Wuhan’s new coronavirus (Covid-19), how- had recently appeared, but the security meas- 5-6 at the Pontifical Gregorian University on also imposed quarantine restrictions on sever- ever the epidemic is spreading to various areas ures implemented by Riyadh in 2012 and the opening of the Vatican archives of Pope al towns in the Lombardy and Veneto regions, of the Middle East where there are over 220 the following year nipped possible epidem- Pius XII has been cancelled, as has a March where most of the infections have occurred. cases in total. ics in the bud without registering victims. — 2-7 communications workshop at the Pontifi- The Archdiocese of Milan suspended The most critical situation is in Iran where, AsiaNews / Agencies cal Urbaniana University for global represent- Masses beginning on the evening Feb 23 atives of the Pontifical Missions Societies. until further notice. The Patriarch of Venice, An event for a book on Cardinal Celso Cos- Archbishop Francesco Moraglia, suspended tantini Feb 25, at which Cardinals Pietro Pa- Masses and other liturgical celebrations, in- rolin, Luis Antonio Tagle and Fernando Filoni cluding baptisms and Stations of the Cross, were expected to speak, was cancelled due to until Sunday March 1. coronavirus concerns. In Rome’s region of Lazio there have been As of Feb 27, Pope Francis was still sched- just three reported cases: an Italian, who has uled to give his Sunday Angelus address on recovered, and two Chinese tourists, who are March 1 before leaving for his Lenten retreat. being treated in a hospital. Pope Francis did not cancel his Wednesday “I wish to express again my closeness to the general audience Feb. 26, but he was later coronavirus patients and the health workers seen coughing during his Ash Wednesday who treat them, as well as to the civil authori- Mass. ties and all those who are working to assist the The Pope chose not to attend a scheduled patients and stop the infection,” Pope Francis A Saudi tour guide wears a mask, due to the coronavirus, in front of the historical Salwa Palace in Diriyah, outside Riyadh. (Asianews photo) liturgy with priests in Rome Feb 27 “due to said Feb 26. — By Courtney Grogan, CNA HERALD March 8, 2020 World 9 ‘Worship of initiatives’ is replacing faith, Pope Francis warns priests VATICAN: In a message February be educated by bishops, but even if Francis also said that with these 27, Pope Francis criticised placing this is true, “it is not a good reason” scandals, the devil tempts people to so much importance on Church pro- for bishops to give up the munus do- have a Donatist vision of the Church. grammes that the essential teachings cendi. Donatism is a heresy from the 4th of the faith are lost. The Pope also “The holy people of God have the to 6th centuries which argued that said a priest’s agreement with such right to have priests who teach them Catholic priests had to be without initiatives should not be the measure to believe; and deacons and priests sin or fault for the sacraments they of his ministry. have the right to have a bishop who administer to be valid. “The worship of initiatives is re- teaches them in turn to believe and “We have false conceptions of the placing the essential: one faith, one hope in the One Master, the Way, militant Church, in a sort of ecclesio- baptism, one God the Father of all. the Truth and the Life, who inflames logical puritanism,” he said. Adherence to initiatives risks be- their faith,” he said. “The question we ask ourselves coming the yardstick of commun- The Pope also said that, as a priest, when we meet a new brother priest ion,” the Pope said, in a message he would want his bishop to help emerges silently: ‘Who do I really read aloud to the priests of the Dio- him believe, not just make him hap- have before me? Can I trust him?’” cese of Rome. py, and lamented that often bishops Prayer is important to combat this, Pope Francis was scheduled to end up only attending to their priests he said. deliver the speech in person at the in times of crisis, and not making The Pope also warned priests Archbasilica of St John Lateran, but Pope Francis greets the crowd during his general audience in St Peter’s the time to listen to them outside of against an “individualised con- decided to remain close to the Vati- Square at the Vatican Feb 26, 2020. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) emergencies. science” – a feeling of being “more can after feeling unwell, the Holy came from many conversations with Priests risk losing their ministry as In his speech, Pope Francis also special, powerful, gifted” and there- See spokesman, Matteo Bruni, said. priests and are not only his opinion. pastors, their role as teachers of the argued that another cause of bitter- fore needing to start every new par- Instead, Cardinal Angelo De Do- Today, he said, there seems to be faith, he said, as they become “suf- ness in the priesthood is problems ish assignment with a “clean slate,” natis, vicar general of the Diocese of a “general atmosphere” of “wide- focated” by management problems between priests. instead of building on the good al- Rome, read the speech on the Pope’s spread mediocrity” – and not only in and personnel emergencies. He pointed to the financial and ready there from the previous pastor. behalf. the priesthood. But, he added, “who is the cate- sexual scandals of recent years as Cautioning against the risk of In his speech, Francis outlined the “The fact remains that much bitter- chist of that permanent disciple who having caused suspicion among isolation, Francis advised priests to different reasons why priests may ness in the life of a priest” is rooted is the priest? The bishop of course!” priests and hindered meaningful find an old and astute priest tobe become “embittered” in their min- in the omissions of his bishop, Fran- Francis said it could be argued bonds. “There is more ‘community,’ a spiritual father. — By Hannah istry, noting that his observations cis said in a footnote of the speech. that priests do not usually want to but less communion,” the Pope said. Brockhaus, CNA Catholic Social Teaching can help AI serve common good VATICAN: A workshop: The ‘Good’ to enter concretely into digital tech- are often reduced to “consumers” — Algorithm? Artificial Intelligence: nologies through effective cross- prey to private interests concentrated Ethics, Law, Health, was organised disciplinary dialogue. He, however, in the hands of a few. Algorithms by the Pontifical Academy for Life stressed that in the encounter be- now extract data that enable mental in the Vatican, February, 26-28. tween different visions of the world, and relational habits to be controlled, In a message to participants, Pope human rights are an important point for commercial or political ends, fre- Francis said a critical contribution to of convergence in the search for quently without our knowledge. the new discipline can be made by common ground. The asymmetry, by which a select the principles of the Church’s social The “good algorithm”, he said, few know everything about us while teaching, namely the dignity of the points to the need for renewed re- we know nothing about them, the person, justice, subsidiarity and soli- flection on rights and duties in this Pope said, dulls critical thought and darity. area. the conscious exercise of freedom. The Holy Father was scheduled to Pope Francis expressed apprecia- He also lamented the inequalities address the group but because of a tion for their “Call” at the end of the that are expanding enormously with “slight indisposition”, he postponed workshop, saying it is “an impor- knowledge and wealth accumulated all of his Feb 28 official audiences tant step in this direction”, with its in a few hands with grave risks for outside Casa Santa Marta, where he three fundamental coordinates along democratic societies. resides. which to journey: ethics, education However, these dangers, the Pope A robot equipped with artificial intelligence is seen at the AI Xperience Centre In his message, the Pope noted and law. said, must not detract us from the at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels Feb 19, 2020. (CNS photo/Yves that the complexity of the techno- The scope and acceleration of the immense potential that new tech- Herman, Reuters) logical world demands of us an in- transformations of the digital era, the nologies offer. Broader educational pret the phenomena of our world and oped to support an ethical approach creasingly clear ethical framework, Pope said, have in fact raised unfore- effort and solid reasons need to be identify paths of humanisation. to Artificial Intelligence and promote so as to make our commitment to seen problems and situations that developed in the pursuit of the com- At the conclusion of the Vatican a sense of responsibility among or- serving every individual in his or her challenge our individual and collec- mon good, even when no immediate workshop on Friday, the Pontifical ganisations, governments and insti- integrity and of all people, without tive ethos. advantage is apparent. Academy for Life, Microsoft, IBM, tutions with the aim to create a fu- discrimination or exclusion, truly ef- On the personal level, the digital As believers, the Pope said, we the United Nations Food and Agri- ture in which digital innovation and fective. age is changing our perception of ought to allow ourselves to be chal- culture Organisation (FAO) and the technological progress serve human Algor-ethics, he pointed out, can space, of time and of the body, and lenged, so that the word of God and Italian government, signed the Call genius and creativity and not their be a bridge enabling those principles on the socio-economic level, users our faith tradition can help us inter- for an AI Ethics, a document devel- gradual replacement. — ICN Retired archbishop disciplined after calling Pope Francis a ‘heretic’ WLOCLAWEK, Poland: A retired to speak out. The archbishop has repeat- In January, the archbishop ap- archbishop who accused Pope Fr Artur Niemira, chancellor of edly criticised Pope Francis. Last peared on the Polish television Francis of heresy has been ordered Włocławek diocese, told the Pol- year the Polish journal Więź re- show Warto rozmawiać, prompt- to cease celebrating Mass in pub- ish Catholic news agency KAI that ported that he had called Francis a ing criticism from the Polish lic. local Bishop Wiesław Mering had “usurper and heretic.” bishops’ conference. The bishops’ Archbishop Jan Paweł Lenga, decided to impose the disciplinary Więź said the archbishop had spokesman Fr Paweł Rytel-Andri- the 69-year-old former Archbishop measures in order to prevent the given a book-length interview to anik noted that the archbishop is of Karaganda in Kazakhstan, has spread of scandal among the faith- the author Stanisław Krajski. The not a member of the Polish bish- also been forbidden to preach at ful. journal quoted the archbishop as ops’ conference. Masses or speak to the media. KAI said the archbishop had re- saying: “Bergoglio preaches un- “Therefore the statements of The sanctions were imposed by fused to mention Pope Francis’s truth, preaches sin, and does not Archbishop Lenga cannot be iden- the Diocese of Włocławek in cen- Archbishop Jan Paweł Lenga name when celebrating Masses. preach a tradition that lasted so tified in any way with the Polish tral Poland, where the archbishop defied the ruling by giving an in- It added that the measures would many years, 2,000 years... He pro- episcopal conference,” he said. retired after serving in Kazakhstan. terview to WRealu24.tv, in which remain in effect until the Holy See claims the truth of this world and “They cannot be treated as posi- Archbishop Lenga immediately he insisted that he would continue issues a judgment on the case. this is the truth of the devil.” tions of Polish bishops.” — CNA 10 Editorial HERALD March 8, 2020 HERALD A Coronavirus Prayer March 8, 2020 Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ, healer of all, Be with the leaders of all nations. you travelled through towns and villages stay by our side Give them the foresight to act God in the coronavirus “curing every disease and illness.” in this time of uncertainty and sorrow. with charity and true concern At your command, for the well-being of the people he coronavirus feeds the anguish in many people in Asia, Be with those the sick were made well. they are meant to serve. TItaly and the world. When the epidemic first emerged in who have died from the virus. China and Hong Kong, we were amazed to see the rush for Come to our aid now in the midst of May they be at rest with you Give them the wisdom to invest surgical masks, to stockpile on non-perishable foods emptying the global spread of the coronavirus, in your eternal peace. in long-term solutions supermarkets, racist attacks on Chinese people. that we may experience that will help prepare for Then the same things happened in the rest of the world, as your healing love. Be with the families of those or prevent future outbreaks. the virus spread across different latitudes. We could never have who are sick or have died. Heal those who are sick with the virus. May they know your peace, imagined that, in the 21st century, we would witness our global As they worry and grieve, May they regain as they work together society hit by such an elusive and tenacious scourge: we were defend them from illness and despair. their strength and health to achieve it on earth. convinced that such things were consigned to the history books: May they know your peace. through quality medical care. the plague of the 1300s and 1600s, the cholera epidemic of two Be with the Whether we are home or abroad, centuries ago, or the Asian flu of the last century. Heal us from our fear doctors, nurses, researchers surrounded by many people suffering We who live in a world where science and technology guar- which prevents nations from and all medical professionals from this illness or only a few, antee us well-being and offer a solution for every pain, have re- working together and who seek to heal and help Jesus Christ, stay with us as we endure alised we are not omnipotent and that nature’s fantasies can con- neighbours from helping one another. those affected and who put and mourn, persist and prepare. tinually surpass our control skills. While several labs — driven Heal us from our pride themselves at risk in the process. In place of our anxiety, by the desire to capitalise on the disease — promise that there which can make us claim give us your peace. May they know your will be the medicine to eradicate this evil in a few weeks, the invulnerability to a disease protection and peace. Jesus Christ, heal us. most serious scholars admit that it will take maybe a year before that knows no borders. a vaccine is found. In the meantime there will be more deaths, — By Kerry Weber, America more infected, more fears. The unruly and often violent way in which people react to anguish is a clear result of the discovery of our helplessness and Lourdes shrine closes healing pools fear of death. It would take someone more powerful than the virus, more capable than doctors, more capable of guaranteeing our lives, to restore calm. It would take God. as precaution against coronavirus But this God, the reference to an absolute guarantee of mean- ROME: As the number of people test- ing to expectation and illness, seems to be the most distant in our ing positive for the coronavirus in contemporary world. Together with God, the source of life, we Europe continues to grow, the French would be more secure in experiencing death, more courageous Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in being close to those who suffer, more diligent and humble in announced that pilgrims were still the search for the famous vaccine. welcome, but the pools the sick bathe Does this epidemic and this coronavirus have anything to do in hoping for healing would be closed with God? As in past ages, apocalyptic preachers arise here and temporarily. there claiming that the epidemic is now the last chapter of the “Our first concern will always be end of the world, the last step in the hands of an avenging God the safety and health of the pilgrims against intelligent, but proud man. and the shrine’s working community,” For many then, the only salvation is to flee: away from soci- said a note posted Feb 28 on the ety, to some atomic shelter, or to the mountains, as if you could shrine’s website. “As a precaution, the save yourself and live alone, while the world is being shaken. pools have been closed until further For many Christians in Asia it is not a question of escape: they notice.” have found God in the coronavirus. There are people in Hong In the centre of Rome, the French Kong who instead of worrying about finding masks for them- Church of St Louis, home of three selves, are concerned with buying and distributing them to old famous Caravaggio paintings, closed people in their neighbourhood who are unable to move. Even March 1 because a priest who had long periods of isolation at home have become an opportunity been resident at the church tested posi- The grotto at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in southwestern France. for silence and prayer, rediscovering in humility the omnipo- tive for the coronavirus upon returning tence of God that the frenzy had almost obliterated. saying the quarantine was expected to Italian health officials had lifted the to France Feb 28 and was hospitalised. be brief, since the priest who tested quarantine on the community at St Even in China, where the government has decreed the closure The 42-year-old priest was in satisfac- of churches indefinitely, the faithful strive to remember the Lord positive for the virus left Rome in Louis Church and that the church tory condition, the Archdiocese of mid-February; he had travelled to sev- would reopen to the public March 4. and transform their living rooms into houses of prayer with the Paris said. Bible on display, flowers, a crucifix. And even if the powers- eral cities in northern Italy, where the Dioceses and religious communities The other two dozen members of outbreak has been much worse. In across Europe adopted precautionary that-be forbid religious activities in unregistered places — such the community of French priests at St. as private homes — families meet together, with their children addition, the Vatican media employee measures starting with advising people Louis were placed under a precaution- had no symptoms. at Mass not to shake hands during the to ask for mercy for them and for the country. And they do it to- ary quarantine. The members included gether with their children, whom the government normally bans “As a prudential measure,” Ruffini sign of peace. Many churches emptied a priest who worked for Vatican said, the Vatican City health and holy water fonts and several dioceses from attending Mass. Media in the former Vatican Radio The political powers of the world, from the Chinese to the hygiene service “sanitised and cleaned recommended Catholics received building. the office of our colleague and com- Communion only in the hand. Italian, try to show themselves adequate, confident, capable of Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the defeating the threat that is hanging over their peoples. They keep mon areas” of the building. Large indoor meetings, conferences Dicastery for Communication, wrote The French Embassy to the Holy and Lenten reflections scheduled for factories and shopping centres open, but not churches, fearing to Vatican media employees March 2, that they will have to confess their closeness before God and See announced late March 2 that March were also cancelled or post- people. They see God as an enemy (in China), or as an unneces- poned, including a meeting in Assisi, sary encumbrance (in the West). Instead He is our greatest ally Italy, March 26-28 called “The in these bitter times: to create solidarity among people, now as Economy of Francis.” The internation- the economic crisis overwhelms us; to treat young and old with al gathering of young adult activists, dignity; to hope for a life-without-end, now that we realise we economists, scholars and entrepre- are not the masters. neurs to discuss creating a more inclu- sive economy was supposed to include — By Bernardo Cervellera, Asianews a closing address by Pope Francis. The meeting has been postponed until HERALD — The Catholic Weekly November. Jointly published by the The Italian civil protection service Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, said 1,577 people in Italy had the Diocese of Malacca Johore, Diocese of Penang coronavirus as of 6.00pm March 1. A and Diocese of Keningau total of 1,694 people had tested posi- Editor: Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ tive since the beginning of the out- HERALD, 5, Jalan Robertson, 50150, KL break; 83 recovered and 34 people had Tel: 03-20268290/20268291; died. Only about one-third of those Fax: 03-20268293 who tested positive required hospitali- Online: www.heraldmalaysia.com. sation; the others were being treated at E-mail: [email protected] The Baths at Lourdes. home. — By Cindy Wooden, CNS HERALD March 8, 2020 Focus 11 How did Malaysia lose its spring? A systemic explanation This article offers you no insider’s story, conspiracy theory or moral judgement of personalities. Surely you can find them elsewhere. Besides character flaws and social division, are there systemic factors that explain the messy and dramatic collapse of Malaysia’s first non-Umno-led government in just 22 months?

he end of Malaysia’s democratic two terms, Mahathir clashed with two of spring has four fault lines - between his four deputies in the 23 years. TMahathir and Anwar, Anwar and If realised, Mahathir’s idea of forming Azmin, Bersatu and PKR, the Malay par- a non-partisan cabinet will only make the ties and DAP – and a plague of party hop- PM more powerful, much like a republic’s ping. president with a personal mandate who can Why did they happen? By systemic fac- pick anyone for his/her cabinet. Funnily tors, do I mean the Westminster parliamen- enough, opinion leaders who hate power tary system? If so, why don’t we see the struggles do support this idea which will same level of power struggle and mess in only promise more of that. the UK or other Commonwealth countries? The Anwar-Azmin Conflict The Mahathir-Anwar Conflict While the president or secretary-general of Beyond a clash of personality and ambition other parties does not have expansive pow- between the former mentor and protégé is er that as Umno’s president did, they still The crowd protesting Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s appointment as prime minister outside the Sogo the over-concentration of executive power have one very important power, the power shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur, March 1, 2020. (Malaysiakini/Low Choon Chyuan) in the office of prime minister which has to nominate candidates. loyalists. Now, is it hard to understand why differences in ideology. Bersatu was Pa- no term limit. In the UK, the headquarters of major the Anwar-Azmin clash was inevitable? katan Harapan’s second smallest party in In the original Westminster model, parties only decide criteria for candidates So, why can’t Malaysian parties decen- seats but controlled the top job. Will Ber- a prime minister is not only the “first- and the national shortlist of all qualified tralise candidacy nomination? They can’t satu survive if the next PM comes from the amongst-equal” member of the cabinet aspirants, but the choice from amongst because they form coalitions and every coalition’s largest party? but also elected by all parliamentarians interested aspirants is normally made by component party can only compete for a Clearly, the simple solution here is a from his/her party. The person may even each party’s divisions. limited number of seats, while political tal- friendly match between the two allies. But be challenged by cabinet members who re- Hence, a popular MP can always keep ents may come from divisions which can- this is simply not possible with FPTP (first sign to trigger a contest. And the losers do his/her seat even if he/she is disliked by not contest the local constituencies. past the post). Seats in a coalition are al- not get penalised for “betrayal”. the party leader. The most telling case is So, in the name of party interests, candi- located almost permanently based on two In contrast, Malaysia’s PM until 2018 perhaps Jeremy Corbyn (photo), Labour’s dacy is controlled by top party leaders who factors — previous contestation record was always the Umno president, who was current leader. are also in-charge of seat negotiation with (normally incumbents get to keep their elected by party delegates but in turn, de- As a government backbencher, he defied allies. Now, can you expect party leaders – constituencies) and ethnic composition of cided the final list of parliamentary candi- his party whip for 428 times from 1997 to who are only human – not to favour their the electorate. dates. This made the PM the boss and not 2010, or 33 times a year on average. loyalists over rebels? Unless Parliament adds more seats, Ber- just the most senior peer of parliamentar- Corbyn was never sacked or denied can- satu would be confined to contesting 53 ians, which explains why the PM seldom didacy. And when one is politically safe as The Bersatu-PKR conflict seats in GE15 versus PKR’s 73. Amongst attended parliamentary meetings. a dissident, one is not compelled to organ- The Mahathir-Anwar clash is not just per- these 53 seats, many are Umno and PAS Such tremendous power naturally pro- ise factional warfare for survival. sonal, but also between the two parties that strongholds that give Bersatu a slim duced many aspirants, who could still be Now, recall in GE14 how the warring want to dominate the PH coalition. This chance. This explains why Bersatu prefers patient if there was a term limit. Without PKR factions aligned to Azmin Ali and never happened in BN because there was to co-opt defectors from Umno. a term limit, power struggles became in- Rafizi Ramli tried to kill off candidates — no rival to Umno. Now, could the Bersatu-PKR rivalry evitable. Unsurprisingly, as the only post- including incumbents — from the oppos- The tension between Bersatu and PKR is ease when defection increases Bersatu’s 1969 Umno premier who served more than ing camps and replace them with their own due more to competition for survival than chance to vie for dominance? The Malay Parties-DAP conflict Party-hopping The wrong hy do Umno, PAS and even some Ber- n anti-hopping law could certainly electoral system? Wsatu politicians love to hate DAP (read: Ahave prevented the mess. But such a Chinese)? Beyond cultural clashes and inter- law has its own flaws too. If a lawmaker s you can see, other than the absence personal relations, there is an underlying fac- can lose his/her job after being sacked Aof a term limit for PM and an anti- tor where Malays heartland voters are pun- from the party, then we will never have hopping law, all other factors point back ished by FPTP (first past the post) for having Corbyns who defy a party’s order to fol- to FPTP. too many choices — Umno, PAS and Bersatu. low their conscience. Do we want law- Even for the UK and US, the flaws of FPTP curbs fragmentation by punishing makers to toe the party’s lines all the time? FPTP (first past the post) are obvious. losers. The percentage of losers (“wasted Party-hopping is not just about undis- But the problem is even more serious for votes”) shrink when the contest becomes less ciplined lawmakers, but also about weak Malaysia as FPTP works better in ho- competitive and have fewer parties. parties. While PAS and DAP (both in op- mogenous societies while Malaysia has a In an evenly fought three-corner, 66 percent position for decades) have highly ideolog- clear communal divide. of voters may be denied representation. The ical or cohesive electoral bases that deter Every now and then, you will hear ar- maximum size of wasted votes will drop to defection, other parties including Umno guments that only FPTP promotes stabil- 49 percent in a straight-fight and zero percent and PKR are susceptible. ity or suits Malaysia. It’s not rocket sci- if everyone votes for the same party. In other A flag bearing the DAP logo. Under FPTP (first past the post), Ma- ence. You should examine the evidence words, there is a trade-off between choices Now, guess what was the percentage of laysians vote only for individuals and and make your judgement. By Wong and representation. wasted votes for DAP? Less than two per not parties, hence no incentives for most Chin Huat Because the Malay heartland was contested cent. Thanks to Chinese voters’ solid backing, parties to develop product differentiation by three parties, 70 per cent of PAS voters and DAP only lost two out of 35 West Malaysian in policies or programmes. They rather l Wong Chin Huat is an electoral sys- nearly 60 per cent of Umno’s and Bersatu’s parliamentary constituencies, Ayer Itam and campaign on constituency service or lo- tem expert at Jeffrey Sachs Centre on voters in West Malaysia failed to elect their Cameron Highlands. cal development – it pays to be with the Sustainable Development, Sunway Uni- representatives. Umno and PAS voters may Make no mistake, this resentment of intra- government. versity. He also leads the clusters on not have heard of “wasted votes” but they ethnic division is neither exclusively Malay On the other hand, if our mandate is electoral systems and constituency de- would likely feel the disadvantage of not hav- nor new. In the 1990s, Chinese voters often for a party and not individual lawmakers, limitation as part of the government’s ing their own MP to get government aid and lamented that the splitting of Chinese votes then those lawmakers elected on a party’s Electoral Reform Committee (ERC). buy the “DAP/Chinese dominance” horror between MCA, Gerakan and DAP had weak- mandate have no reason to take their seats story. ened them. with them when crossing parties. Source: Malaysiakini 12 Varia HERALD March 8, 2020 Our congenital complexity

he renowned spiritual writ- our hearts, minds and souls “cav- yourself as the tormented artist or with falling in love. Hallow your er, Ruth Burrows, begins erns” too deep to ever be filled in as the existentialist who’s heroi- spontaneous impulses and temp- Ther autobiography with or fully understood. cally out of step with life. tations by searching for that high- these words: “I was born into this It’s my belief that Christian ● Befriend your shadow: It’s er love and higher value towards world with a tortured sensitivity. spirituality, at least in its popu- the luminosity you’ve split off. which they’re pointing. Offering For long I have puzzled over the lar preaching and catechesis, has Slowly, with proper caution and others your altruism and the gaze causes of my psychological an- too often not taken this seriously support, begin to face the inner of admiration will feel so good guish.” enough. In short, the impression things that frighten you. and right that it will bring to ful- Unfortunately, to our loss, too has too much been given that ● Hallow the power and place filment what you’re really yearn- many spiritual biographies don’t Christian discipleship shouldn’t be of sexuality within you: You’re ing for. begin like this, that is, by recog- complicated: Why all this resist- incurably sexual, and for a godly ● Let your own complexity teach nising, right at the start, the bewil- ance within you? What’s wrong reason. Never deny or denigrate you understanding and empa- dering, pathological complexity with you? But, as we know from the power of sexuality – even as thy. By being in touch with your inside our own nature. We’re not our own experience, our innate you carry it with a proper chas- own complexity you will eventu- simple in heart, mind, and soul, complexity is forever throwing Fr Ron Rolheiser tity. ally learn that nothing is foreign nor indeed even in body. Each of up complications and resistances ● Name your wounds, grieve to you and that what you see on us has enough complexity within to becoming a saint, to “willing Some Counsels for the Long them, mourn your inconsum- the newscasts each day mirrors us to write our own treatise on ab- the one thing”. Moreover, because Haul: mation. Whatever wounds that what’s inside you. normal psychology. our complexity hasn’t been recog- ● Honour and hallow your com- you don’t grieve will eventually ● Forgive yourself often. Your And that complexity must not nised and honoured spiritually we plexity: Accept that this is a God- snakebite you. Accept and mourn complexity will trip you up many only be recognised; it needs to be often feel guilty about it: Why am given gift inside you and, at the the fact that here, in this life, times and so you will need to for- respected and hallowed because it I so complicated? Why do I have end of the day, it’s what is best there is no finished symphony. give yourself many times. Live, stems not for what’s worst in us, all these questions? Why am I so inside you. It’s what separates ● Never let the “transcenden- knowing that God’s mercy is a but from what’s best in us. We’re often confused? Why is sex such a you from plants and animals. tal impulse” inside you become well that’s never exhausted. complex because what beguiles powerful impulse? Why do I have Their nature is simple, but having drugged or imprisoned. Your ● Live under God’s patience us inside and tempts us in every so many temptations? an immortal, infinite soul makes complexity continually lets you and understanding. God is your direction is not, first of all, the The simple answer: Because we for lots of complications as you know that you’re built for more builder, the architect who con- wiliness of the devil but rather, are born with a godly fire within. struggle to live out your life with- than this life. Never deaden this structed you and who is respon- the image and likeness of God. Thus the source of so many of in the finitude that besets you. impulse inside you. Learn to rec- sible for your complexity. Trust Inside us there’s a divine fire, a our confusions, temptations, and ● Never underestimate your com- ognise, through your frustrations that God understands. Trust that greatness, which gives us infi- resistances comes as much from plexity – even as you resist mas- and fantasies, the ways you often God is more anxious about you nite depth, insatiable desires and what is best in us as from the wiles saging it: Recognise and respect imprison it. than you’re anxious about your- enough luminosity to bewilder of the Satan and the world. the “demons and angels” that ● Try to find a “higher love” self. The God who knows all every psychologist. The image What should we do in the face roam freely inside your heart and by which to transcend the more things also knows and appreciates and likeness of God inside us, as of our own bewildering complex- mind. But don’t massage your immediate power of your natu- why you struggle. — By Fr Ron John of the Cross writes, renders ity? complexity either, by fancying ral instincts. All miracles begin Rolheiser, all rights reserved Racial breakdown of Cabinet Membership HERE has been a lot of fear Seri Najib Abdul Razak’s government Tamong non-Malays that their rep- being most heavily packed with Ma- resentation in the new government lay members. will be reduced significantly, now that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s gov- most of the parties in the new coali- ernment under the Pakatan Harapan tion led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin government as well as second prime are heavily Malay-centric. minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein’s A quick check by theSun shows that Cabinets were the most evenly di- racial composition in the Cabinet has vided between the Malays and non- always been Malay-centric anyway, Malays. with former prime minister Datuk Check out the ratio in graphics. Putrajaya

Tunku Abdul Abdul Razak Hussein Onn Mahathir Abdullah Najib Abdul Mahathir Muhyiddin Rahman Putra Hussein (from 1976) Mohamad Ahmad Badawi Razak Mohamad Yassin Al-Haj (from 1970) (from 1981) (from 2003) (from 2009) (from 2018) (present) (from 1957) 75% 73% 72% 64% 67% 62% 62%

38% 38% 36% 33% 28% 27% 25%

Total: 14 members Total: 18 members Total: 22 members Total: 24 members Total: 32 members Total: 28 members Total: 29 members Malay: 9 Malay: 11 Malay: 16 Malay: 16 Malay: 23 Malay: 21 Malay: 18 Non-Malay: 5 Non-Malay: 7 Non-Malay: 6 Non-Malay: 8 Non-Malay: 9 Non-Malay: 7 Non-Malay: 11

Malay Non-Malay Source: theSun Graphics HERALD March 8, 2020 BEC 13

BEC Family (1976) (1996)

Formation Dialogue (1976) (1976) INTEGRAL The cry of the earth is no EVANGELISATION Unity Poor (1976) (1976)

Social Youth Communication (1986) (1996) different than the cry of the poor VATICAN: Five years ago, Pope Francis pub- others or take care of the environment. lished his Encyclical Laudato Sí, On Care for And the third one is avarice, which is ex- our Common Home said Yeb Saño, one of the treme greed. Greed has made this world a founders of the Global Catholic Climate Move- much, much worse place to live in. Greed is ment (GCCM). The GCCM is a network of or- what drives, for example, corporations to only ganisations that aims to motivate the embrace think about profits and not the people and the of this Encyclical’s message, even “beyond the planet. Catholic Church”. That means, Saño says, “be- These are three words that “we as Catholics ing more mindful of caring for creation and un- strive to stand up against,” three forms of a lack derstanding the realities we face”. Those reali- of love: “the love that Pope Francis reminds us ties, he continues, are that “our earth is crying”, to embrace as a commandment from God and and that the earth’s cry is no different than “the as an example from the life of Jesus,” says Yeb cry of the poor.” Saño. Saño explains that we cannot talk about pro- Love, or rather the absence of love for tecting the environment whilst we are neglect- creation and for God, according to Yeb Saño, ing “the needs of the Earth’s most vulnerable is what has “driven us away from our own Coconut farmers in Tanauan, Philippines, help prepare each others’ fields for vegetables. (CNS people”. selves.” photo/Tyler Orsburn) Laudato Sí is a social encyclical, says Yeb It has alienated us from each other and it has “So that’s an exhortation for us to live simple parliaments around the world,” even though Saño. It encourages us to look at the environ- alienated us from nature. lives,” being mindful of others. System change there is a huge amount of work to be done in mental crisis as an issue of justice and one for If only we cared enough to combat these goes hand in hand with mindfulness, says Yeb those venues. This is a battle that “will be won which we need to join forces and “protect the three things, says Yeb Saño, we would go far in Saño. The GCCM does a lot of work with par- or lost at the grassroots.” future of the earth.” More importantly, he add- ensuring that we are winning the fight against ishes, dioceses, religious orders, universities, It’s the people who will suffer if we don't ed, we need to make sure that we “safeguard the environmental crisis. young people and many others, “including the win this battle. It’s the people’s lives and liveli- the interests of the poorest of our brethren.” But this crisis is not just an environmen- policy-making and decision-making institu- hoods that are at stake, and right now this is a Yeb Saño believes that the environmental tal one, he continues. “As both Pope Francis tions both inside the Church and in the secular crisis that’s affecting millions, perhaps billions, crisis is rooted in three human characteristics, and Pope St John Paul II have articulated so world” to create change, “to create real policy of people already. This is not a crisis that is in all of which are “closely connected with who eloquently,” the crisis is a spiritual one, too. He change and transformative change.” the distant future, it is here and now, and there- we are.” All of these three words, he says, “start said that an aspect of the GCCM is encourag- “I'd like to believe these things that we do fore we need to work doubly hard, and work with the letter A.” ing everyone to pursue ecological conversion could give guidance and wisdom for all Catho- together, stand together, as a human family, to The first word is arrogance. Arrogance is the and to find meaning in caring for each other lics and all people of goodwill,” he says. confront this crisis. belief that you’re better than God or better than and for creation, knowing that the transforma- Many people now see the ecological crisis This crisis needs to be a uniting factor for nature, that we’re smarter than nature - and that tion needs to be a “spiritual” one. as the climate crisis, “because the climate cri- all faith communities and for political lead- has caused a lot of havoc in the world. On top of that, he continues, we know that sis is one of the most pervasive manifestations ers, concludes Yeb Saño. “This is the moment The second word is apathy. Apathy is the we must focus on our lifestyles, pursuing ones of the ecological crisis.” The battle against it, that I feel can be the uniting factor for human- dangerous belief that it’s somebody else’s job that are friendlier towards one another; life- “will not be won or lost in Chambers of Com- ity, we must not lose that opportunity.” — to care, it’s somebody else’s job to take care of styles that “show love for the planet.” merce” or “in plenary Halls of the UN, or in By Francesca Merlo, Vatican News Bangladeshi Catholics to clean up village Caritas India Lenten during Lent campaign: Sustain Life, DHAKA: Taking cues from Pope Francis’ Sustainable Livelihood famed encyclical on the environment, Laudato NEW DELHI: The Catholic Church in India si’, Catholics in the Gazipur district of central is focussing on sustaining life and promoting Bangladesh plan to restore and conserve the sustainable livelihood during Lent this year. environment, including cleaning up two dirty Caritas India, the official development and and polluted canals during Lent. social action arm of the Catholic Church of Catholic villagers from Holy Family Catho- India, organises the annual Lenten campaign lic Church at Doripara under Dhaka Archdio- each year. cese have paired up with the Catholic Bishops’ During the 40-day Lenten period, that be- Justice and Peace Commission (ECJP) to im- gins with Ash Wednesday, Christians espe- plement the Work for Clean Village scheme cially give way to prayer, penance, fasting, starting from Ash Wednesday, the first day of An extremely polluted canal in Dhaka. Bangladeshi Catholics plan to clean up their village, including abstinence and works of mercy in preparation the Church’s Lenten season, which falls on saving two canals from pollution, during the Lenten season. (ucanews.com/Stephan Uttom) for their most solemn feast, Easter or the Res- Feb 26. to start effective waste management instead of Every house has to set up sceptic tanks for urrection of Christ from death. Holy Family Church has about 3,500 Catho- dumping it in the canals, and take up tree plan- toilets within one year, and those who do not The Apostolic Nuncio to India, Italian Arch- lics living in one large village divided into four tation and kitchen gardening to improve the have the money will be able to get low-interest bishop Giambattista Diquattro, officially -un blocks. environment in their homestead, Rozario said. loans from local Christian cooperatives. veiled this year’s campaign February 23, at The clean-up plan stems from the unbear- “We hope the environment in the village Shopkeepers in the local market will be the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Delhi. able environmental pollution that poses great will get better in the coming days. Then the supplied with bags made from jute and cloth Part of Caritas’ flagship drive against hun- risks to human health, local leaders say. message will spread across the country. People instead of polythene, vehicles that pollute the ger and disease, the Lenten campaign this The village is crisscrossed by two canals need to realise that if we protect the environ- environment will be restricted, and schoolchil- year has as its theme, Sustain Life, Sustainable which have turned into an extremely polluted ment, our next generation will have a safer dren will be made aware of the environment Livelihood. It invites everyone to join efforts and stinking open sewer due to years of being place to grow up,” he added. through art competitions. in becoming catalysts, adopting the “Each one contaminated by domestic garbage including Every Friday during Lent, Catholics will “We would like to make it a creative, effec- Help one” approach in reaching out to attain a human waste from toilets. take part in a “Way of the Cross with Nature” tive and ongoing movement to save the envi- sustainable livelihood. “It’s about 20 years since the canals became event to contemplate the need for environ- ronment in Bangladesh. Success in this village Fr Paul Moonjely, the executive director of lifeless due to pollution. Today they are noth- mental conservation and what they need to do, will encourage us to replicate it in many other Caritas India, said that the reason behind the ing but open sewers full of waste and produc- said ECJP secretary Holy Cross Fr Liton H. places in the country,” Fr Gomes added. choice of the theme is the poverty that India ing an extremely bad stench. Moreover, peo- Gomes, who also hails from the village. In Bangladesh, environmental pollution, es- is experiencing today. This is because of the ple have discarded plastic items that block the “People will have to make a pledge not to pecially air and water pollution, are routinely unemployment situation in the country and as water flow. We must recover the canals and throw waste into the canals anymore. Every termed “silent killers” by environmentalists. well as the vulnerability of the poor sections change our bad habits, or we’ll have to pay a family should have effective waste manage- In 2015, more than 234,000 people died of society to the frequent natural “disasters heavy price for pollution soon,” said Swapan ment, including cleaning up their houses and from diseases caused by various forms of en- and emergencies”, which rob them of their Stephen Rozario, a parish councilor for Holy not burning plastics. Also, they need to vow vironmental pollution, according to a 2018 livelihood and opportunities, leaving them in Family Church. not to set up poultry farms in their houses for World Bank report. — By Stephan Uttom, conditions of extreme poverty. — By Robin Besides restoring canals, villagers will have the sake of the environment,” said Fr Gomes. ucanews.com Gomes, Vatican News 14 Inter faith & Cultural Dialogue HERALD March 8, 2020 Coming together to pray for good health SEREMBAN: The Church of the Visita- munity. tion, with the support of the Malaysian Dr Daniel, a parishioner of the Church of Consultative Council of Buddhism, Chris- The Visitation gave, a 10-minute talk on the tianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism Coronavirus (COVID-19). He explained (MCCBCHST) of Negeri Sembilan, held the symptoms and how the community can an interfaith prayer and candlelight vigil help. A minute of silence was observed, February 16 in view of the outbreak of the especially for those who have died from Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic which COVID-19. has been declared a public health emergen- The Interfaith Prayer Vigil came to an end cy of international concern. at 8.00 pm with the song Amazing Grace. A total of 120 faithful, representing their Also in attendance at the Interfaith Prayer respective faiths, including the Baha’i faith, Vigil were Tayalan Nathan, NS State MC- gathered in front of the Church of the Visi- CBCHST Secretary, Goh Kim Seng, Treas- Relgious leaders gather for an Interfaith Prayer Vigil on February 16, 2020. tation at 7.00pm with lighted candles. urer and P. Muthusamy, Chairman of the The Vigil commenced with a song enti- Xin. This was followed by prayer in songs Vigil was led by Sdr Prabhdial Singh and Malaysia Hindu Sangam, NS State Council. tled Bond of Love sung by all present. This led by Geetha of the Bahai faith, and then Sdr Mulkeet Singh, representatives from The Interfaith Prayer Vigil was emceed was followed by a welcome greeting by Fr prayers and chant by Chief Priest Siva Sri the Sikh faith, followed by prayer and song by Christopher Krishnan, President of the Xavier Andrew, Parish Priest of the Church Vickneswara Sivachariar of the Palani by Fr Xavier Andrew, Parish Priest and the Interfaith Committee of the Church of The of the Visitation. Malai Murugan Temple. After the first part, Hail Mary by Fr Kenneth Gopal, Assistant Visitation while the Youths of the Church In the first part of the evening, prayers the Coronavirus theme song was played. Parish Priest, of the Church of The Visita- of The Visitation coordinated the singing of were chanted by Buddhist Nun Rev Kai The second part of the Interfaith Prayer tion, who represented the Christian com- songs. — By Paul Peter Fernandez Delhi event marks first anniversary of fraternity document NEW DELHI: The Archdiocese of Delhi host- some parties and politicians use religion for adoption of a culture of dialogue as the path; ed an interfaith meeting to celebrate the first their gain. So we have to be careful and watch- mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; anniversary of the historic document signed by ful. We have to tackle the fundamentalism reciprocal understanding as the method and Pope Francis and the grand imam of Al-Azhar which tries to divide people in the name of re- standard.” on fraternity among mankind. ligion,” he said. The document called on world leaders “to Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb Gurminder Singh, a Sikh leader said, re- work strenuously to spread the culture of tol- signed the Document on Human Fraternity on spect for other people and religions starts in the erance and of living together in peace; to in- Feb. 4, 2019, in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab home and can be developed through education. tervene at the earliest opportunity to stop the Emirates. It highlights the need for fraternity “We all talk about our religion which teaches shedding of innocent blood and bring an end among all men and women of goodwill who that God is one and we have to love our breth- to wars, conflicts, environmental decay and are invited to promote justice and peace, guar- ren but when the situation arises, we fail to do the moral and cultural decline that the world is anteeing human rights and religious freedom. so. The time has come, especially now when presently experiencing.” “The document is a step closer toward peace the country is going through a difficult period, They asked leaders and would-be influenc- building because it speaks of empathy, diver- Irfan A. Omar addresses an interfaith meeting when only love and respect for others can save ers to rediscover the values of peace, justice, sity and solidarity and these three elements are in New Delhi organised by the Archdiocese of our nation,” Singh said. goodness, beauty, human fraternity and coex- the core of the whole document,” said Irfan A. Delhi’s commission for interreligious dialogue A.K. Merchant, secretary of the Lotus Tem- istence in order to confirm the importance of Omar, an associate professor at the department and Islamic studies associations on Feb 24, ple and Baha’í Community of India said: these values as anchors of salvation for all, and of theology at Marquette University in the 2020. (ucanews.com/Bijay Kumar Minj) “Here in India minorities have a very good to promote them everywhere. United States. and Islamic studies associations. bond among themselves, so it will be easy for “Terrorism is deplorable and threatens the “The document talks about dialogue be- Some 100 leaders of different faiths, activ- all of us to work together. But due to certain security of people, be they in the East or the tween different faiths and how dialogue can ists, scholars and civil society attended a lec- circumstances sometimes we fail, so we have West, the North or the South. It disseminates unite and bring all faiths together,” explained ture with the theme Pope Francis and Grand to take extra care on that front.” panic, terror and pessimism but this is not due Omar, who specialises in Islamic thought with Imam Tayed on Human Fraternity. Born of an open discussion between Pope to religion, even when terrorists instrumental- a focus on connections between Islam and Archbishop Anil Joseph Thomas Couto of Francis and Imam Tayeb, the document is in- ise it. It is due, rather, to an accumulation of other religions. Delhi told the seminar that it was time for ac- tended to be a guide on advancing “a culture incorrect interpretations of religious texts and He was addressing a seminar in New Delhi tion to implement the document as it speaks of of mutual respect” and is concerned with how to policies linked to hunger, poverty, injustice, on Feb. 24 organised by the Archdiocese of love, brotherhood and respect for other faiths. different faiths can coexist peaceably. oppression and pride,” the document stated. — Delhi’s commission for interreligious dialogue “Here in India one also cannot deny that Pope Francis and Imam Tayeb declared “the By Bijay Kumar Minj, ucanews.com Climate campaigners launch 40-day Multifaith Lenten Vigil LONDON: Christian Climate Action (CCA) lowing the Church of England’s recent motion and Extinction Rebellion Faith Communities to establish a plan to achieve net zero emissions have joined forces to hold a Lenten vigil in by 2030, attendees encouraged the Catholic central London and initiate 40 Days of Action, Church to follow suit. It was noted that severe where people are invited to commit to one ac- weather is not only affecting the global south; tion during Lent to protect Planet Earth. The two recent storms in two weeks in Britain have launch took place on Ash Wednesday, with ser- caused widespread disruption and flooding. vices outside Westminster Cathedral and West- Individual commitments could include buy- minster Abbey, and then participants moved to ing more locally-sourced food, switching to Parliament Square to commence the six-week an eco-friendly bank, or pausing regularly to vigil. This vigil will take place throughout Lent appreciate the beauty of Planet Earth. Some and will focus on lament for the climate and may commit to nonviolent civil disobedience ecological crisis, and prayer for leaders and to raise awareness and prompt action on the representatives to take urgent action. climate crisis. Prayer vigil at Westminster Abbey. During the service at Westminster Abbey, Before this, a similar service was also held creation”. When ashes were distributed by derness of Lent and encounter the ‘quiet voice’ Extinction Rebellion flags waved in the breeze outside Westminster Cathedral where partici- Passionist Fr Martin Newall and others, par- so often hidden from us in daily life. We need outside the Great West Door, under the ten pants stood in a circle and prayed for God’s ticipants were asked to think about the ashes of desperately to hear that sacred voice calling us limestone statues of modern martyrs who gave blessing, “as we strive to walk in the way of unprecedented fires worldwide which have de- together as a global community — learning to up their lives for their beliefs, including St Os- our Lord over these coming days”. Penitential stroyed huge areas of forests and the biodiverse live simpler, more connected lives, and to find car Romero and Dr Martin Luther King Jr. The responses at both services included repenting plants and animals that rely on them. the courage to take up civil disobedience in the 40-minute service in chilly sunshine included of dependence on fossil fuels, the immoral- Nick Cooper, a Christian Climate Action face of an ever more desperate climate crisis. a call on religious organisations to commit to ity of Ecocide, and “the sin of consuming and spokesperson, said, “This is about system We need to stop denying the power that we fully divest from fossil fuels — the key drivers commodifying our world”. There was a com- change, triggered by personal growth. We in- hold as one sacred and interconnected body.” of climate change — by the end of Lent. Fol- mitment to “carry the cross that is crucifying vite everyone to journey with us into the wil- — ICN HERALD March 8, 2020 Children 15 LittleLittle CCatholicsatholics’ CCornerorner

Jesus Shows His Glory There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and In today's Gos- Jerusalem to Elijah, talking with Jesus (Mat 17: 2-3) pel reading, Je- suffer and die on sus took three of the cross. His apostles up a He knew that mountain and gave they would be ter- Let's Colour them a vision of rified and very sad His true glory. when He died so He He shone as gave them a pre- bright as the sun view of the glory - so bright they He would go back could hardly look to after He rose at Him. But did from the dead. you know that what That way they knew they saw was only they had reason to a tiny bit of the hope even when He true glory of God? was killed. It was so beau- Sometimes we tiful that Peter have awful things wanted Him to to suffer through stay that way. He too. Maybe a offered to build friend will move tents for Jesus away or one of our and Moses and Eli- grandparents will jah, who appeared die. with Him. But the But we never have joy of this mo- to give up hope be- ment wasn't meant cause we know that to last forever. It eventually everyone was just a little who loves Jesus will taste of Heaven. live in total happi- Jesus gave this ness in Heaven. experience to the three apostles be- Love fore He went to Aunty Eliz

After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves (Mat 17: 1) Lead Jesus and the Disciples to the Mount of Transfiguration. HERALD YYOOUTHUTH March 8, 2020 Youths launch Lenten Campaign at CDM ENANG: Confirma- as it was a really hot day. So the tion students from father felt as if he was being set up and that Joel was indirectly seek- Pthe Church of Divine ing a reward for his deed. Mercy, (CDM) acted in a Fr Martin asked if we often do skit to launch the Lenten the same with God when we do Campaign on Ash Wednes- things seeking for some reward from Him later on. day. On Ash Wednesday we are all They enacted a situation where a reminded that the significance of person who had lost his confidence ash is that everything we are and and self-worth was encouraged by possess will eventually revert to another to lean on God’s mercy nothingness. We are at the mercy and compassion. In picking him- of God who has the power to bring self up he was also able to encour- about restoration and rejuvenation. age another to turn to God for his In the parable of the prodigal love. In doing so, everyone was re- son, Fr Martin explained that God The youths display the Lenten Campaign banner and their creative posters. minded of the theme of this year’s is ever willing to welcome us back helpful as God has declared that echoed repeatedly by John the wanting any recognition or praise Lenten campaign for Penang Dio- if we repent to receive again a we can do nothing without Him. Baptist and Jesus. Even St Paul in performing the deed. cese, Sent to Heal. place in His kingdom. God’s call God’s call is for everyone to re- reminded us that we can only be In addition, we need to pray as During the homily, CDM par- has been announced in the first turn to Him. From all the vanities saved if we believe in God (1 Cor- this cultivates a relationship with ish priest Fr Martin Arlando, be- reading of Isaiah (44:22) to return of our human activities of sin we inthians 15:2). God. To pray not only for our gan with a story of a six year boy to Him with your whole heart with come back with sorrow and re- Moving forward to this time needs but for others. As St Paul called Joel who had appeared ea- repentance and fasting. To return pentance. In obtaining the sprin- of Lent, we are challenged by has always advocated “Pray with- ger to do a house chore of bringing means to come back from some- kling of ashes on our heads we are Almsgiving, Fasting and Absti- out unceasing, give thanks in all in the trash can from outside the where. reminded to “Remember, repent nence. In Almsgiving, there is an circumstances” (1 Thessalonians house without prompting. When When we sin, we stay away from and believe in the Gospel”. We are invitation to excel in charity and to 5:16). the father of the boy was about to God and this has consequences. to remember that life is short and give to those in need. To become The second and third tenets of commend the deed, Joel promptly We get lost and lose God’s protec- we will eventually return to dust. the extension of the hand of God Lent are to Fast and Abstain. Fast- asked if they could go swimming tive love and mercy. This is not This message to repent has been without showing any fanfare or ing mortifies the body and elevates the spirit. We are asked not to gratify the flesh and pay more at- tention to the soul. To deny those things that are unhelpful to one’s soul. Fr Martin ended the story of a person named Bob who was only missed in Church after he had died. They had discovered the many small things he did around to upkeep the smooth running to the place. This was because he did those things without any demand of recognition or com- pensation. We are all asked to emulate the example of Jesus and radiate His love and mercy to one another. — By Dr Ivan Filmer The Skit by the students of Divine Mercy Church. HERALD March 8, 2020 Youth 17 Vocation Seminar attracts great turnout

BUNDU TUHAN: The recent Joseph from St Theresa Tam- Vocation Seminar attracted an bunan; Michael Mok Vun Seng unexpectedly great turnout of from St Francis Xavier Cathedral 197 hopefuls from across the Keningau, Dealiance Don from three arch/dioceses in Sabah, St Anthony Tenom, and Freddo- made up as follows: Kota Kina- line Bin Ahsiong from St Mary’s balu Archdiocese (74), Kenin- Cathedral Sandakan. gau Diocese (89) and Sandakan Two candidates were selected Diocese (34). to directly join the Initiation Held yearly at the Bundu Tu- Year of St Peter’s College in Kota han Retreat Centre for the pur- Kinabalu: Frederic Reyes from pose of promoting the vocation St Francis Xavier Cathedral, of diocesan priesthood, the Keningau and Lo Nam Yee from Sabah dioceses set about their Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota joint efforts to recruit new can- Kinabalu. didates for the 2020 aspirancy Frederic marvelled at the programme. The participants with Archbishop John Wong and clergy. Lord’s persistence and re- The three-day promotion Obaso, Fr Simon Kontou, Fr Sun- guide the participants in their They are: Hilary Timothy from vealed, “I failed to say ‘yes’ to programme kicked off with the ny Chung and Fr David Gasikol. discernment in responding to Holy Nativity Church Terawih, the Lord’s invitation at similar opening Mass, presided over by In his homily, the presider God’s invitation. Mejoery Simon from St John Tu- vocation seminars and retreats Archbishop John Wong and con- conveyed to the participants The seminar concluded with aran, Edwine Erick from St Mi- since 2017. But He didn’t give celebrated with parish priest that they must possess the de- the closing Mass on Sunday. chael Penampang, Aderoff Gil- up on me. His plans for me re- of St Pius X Fr Michael Modoit, sire, with the correct intention, Right after the Mass, Fr Isidore bert from Stella Maris Tanjung Director of Aspirants Formation to serve God and His Church. announced the newly selected Aru, Harry Anthonius and Wel- repeating the yearly seminars, House, Fr Isidore Gilbert, Direc- Except for Archbishop Wong, aspirants for the year 2020: six ter Bin Manjamin from St Peter mainfor whatever steadfast. reason, As I find the myself call- tor of Initiation Year, Fr Mat- all the priests were present from KK Archdiocese, six from Claver Ranau, Celvin, Marcilus ing grew stronger. I couldn’t theus Luta, Regional Superior of throughout the programme Keningau Diocese; and one from Bin Philip and Devson Konsung resist anymore…” — By Sem Mill Hill Missionaries Fr Philip to give spiritual inputs and to Sandakan Diocese. from Holy Cross Toboh, Fabian Raymond Lee, CS Called to Serve Asian Youth Day officially IPOH: The Church of our Mother One of the inspired participants shared his personal testimony cancelled after India of Perpetual Help (OMPH) held ersonally, I don’t know They see understanding, trust, its Youth Assembly on Sunday, Pwhat of myself I can give and relatability in each other. February 16. The response from to God. I seem to have nothing I would never discount the says it can’t host it young parishioners was very en- — no clear talents and no ex- nurturing, compassionate un- MUMBAI: This year’s Asian ment in 2019, but that did not couraging with 135 participants traordinary abilities. So, what conditional love and teachings Youth Day (AYD) won’t hap- happen, and the present situa- coming together to have fun and can I give God if I think I can- of parents/guardians but some- pen, after complications kept tion does not look good either,” brainstorm for the future. not give Him anything? times, youths want to feel un- India from hosting the event. said Bishop Nazarene Soosai The event began with a lively I believe this is the exact derstood too. With everything Bishop Henry D’Souza of of Kottar, head of the CBCI’s praise and worship session be- same dilemma most youths changing in our lives (mentally Bellary, a member of the youth youth commission. fore the prayerful enthronement face. What can I do? How can and physically) it would be commission of the Conference Kottar was referring to In- of the Bible and Liturgy of the I do it? The answer is simple. nice to have a support group of of Catholic Bishops of India dia’s general election, in which Word by the Parish Priest and Come and participate. Seek people going through the exact (CCBI), said he was “sorry” the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya host Fr Patrick Massang CSsR. first the kingdom of God and same thing, in the exact same about the turn of events. Janata Party won re-election by The youth were then motivated all else will follow. – Matthew stages of life. Instead of transferring the a huge margin. by facilitators from the New 6:33 So, by being a part of the event to another country, young The BJP government has Thessalonians Apostolate who The youth assembly is only youth movement, we can all people have been invited to promoted a Hindu first policy, did a wonderful job in delivering the very beginning. Attending grow together, learn together participate in the jubilee cel- and religious minorities — es- an engaging programme for the it was just meant to show that and laugh together. All of these ebrations of the Federation of pecially Christians and Mus- day. we are here, we are not invis- while doing service for God Asian Bishops’ Conferences lims — have complained about We are indeed grateful to Dave ible! Some youths don’t leave and the Church. In good time, (FABC). increased harassment and dis- & Marianne Kameron, Sherril the Church even if they’re we will carry out projects and Fr Chetan Machado, the Ex- crimination under the regime. Netto and Dr Dominic Damian for bored with the Church; some campaigns with the help of our ecutive Secretary of the CCBI’s Many Church leaders blamed their generous time and effort. youths leave the Church be- community, to help our com- youth commission, said that the government for scuttling a It was a great experience for the cause they’ve lost relatability. munity. no diocese had come forward proposed visit by Pope Fran- Parish Pastoral Council too as How can we change this? Thus, to parents and guard- to host the event, but added cis in 2017, and there were we organised and participated in The youths need gatherings to ians, I say this: If you don’t that the FABC had asked for concerns that the government the event through close collabo- form bonds. Bonds of love and know how you can serve God, the postponement of ecclesial would put up obstacles to host- ration between different Apos- friendship are what keep them perhaps your support of your events to focus on the jubilee. ing a major regional Catholic tolates, Ministries and BECs. — coming back. These bonds are children to participate in this “However, we haven’t post- event, especially when it came omphip.org like sustenance to their roots. ‘Movement’ is one way. poned it. We’re just not hosting to issuing visas for visitors it,” said the priest. from other countries. The CCBI didn’t have the However, not only was the primary responsibility for ar- political situation in India un- ranging the Asian Youth Day; favourable to hosting the event, that fell to the Catholic Bishops’ but the expenses associated Conference of India (CBCI), with a large international gath- which includes bishops from ering were too steep for the the Latin and Eastern Rites. country’s relatively poor dio- The CBCI announced in Jan- ceses. uary that India wouldn’t be able Now that the 2020 AYD has to host the event, saying “the officially been cancelled, the present scenario does not allow FABC says the next edition us to hold the programme.” will be announced during their “We had hoped that there jubilee celebrations. — By would be a change of govern- Nirmala Carvalho, Crux Youths gather in groups to brainstorm on the future plans for the youths in their parish. HERALD March 8, 2020 23 For more enquiries, please contact: Email: [email protected] m e m o r i a m Tel: 03-2026 8290 / 03-2026 8291

16th Anniversary 40th Anniversary 3rd Anniversary In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory of

Although death leaves a heartache no one can heal, Your guidance 8th Anniversary and love leave us a memory & We miss you so much no one can steal. We lost someone Eucharistic Celebration The days do not we dearly love, But gained an pass without us angel who watches closely over us. In Commemoration of thinking of you. A great person who was well SINAPAN MYSELAMANI respected and looked upon by We will always cherish the love and Milan Neil Amarasekera everyone young and old. A great soul who served everyone all the laughter you gave us. To the Lord: 06-03-2004 time. Your memories will always be Rest in Peace, in our hearts. It reminds us of how In a state of Holy Joy, while Dearest. in hospital, your loud words, close and together we were “They are Alive,” meaning Though we miss you dearly, Appa Jesus and Mary, will forever There is no distance D e e p l y M i s s e d be a lasting testimony to all. and goodbye for us. and in our memory Love and Faithfulness will Eternal Rest Grant Unto Him f o r e v e r meet, Righteousness and Mr. S. Anthony Samy O Lord And Let Perpetual Light Shine Upon Him. May his soul Jeremiah Isaac Parents, Sisters, peace will embrace F r o m t h e L o r d : (Ps. 85.10) rest in peace. Amen. 3rd May 1998 B r o t h e r s - i n - l a w, 8th August 1931 niece, nephew, A l w a y s r e m e m b e r e d Always remembered and treasured R e t u r n e d t o t h e L o r d : Called to the Lord on relatives and friends. a n d m i s s e d b y by Loved Ones. 4th March 2017 beloved Mum & loved ones. 10th March 1980 12th Anniversary 16th Anniversary From the Lord: 07.07.1933 40th Day Memorial In Loving Memory of In Loving Memory Called to the Lord: 07.03.2012 In Loving Memory of “Appa dear, we miss and love you so dearly.” Sadly missed and fondly remembered by: Children, Grandchildren and a host of I. KULANDAISAMY relatives and friends. Gifted from GOD: A Requiem Mass will be celebrated for the 25.12.1938 Mr Albert Peters r e p o s e o f t h e s o u l o f o u r d e a r e s t A p p a , Returned to Called to the Lord: L a t e S i n a p a n M y s e l a m a n i the LORD: 12th March 2004 25.01.2020 Those we love don’t go away, at the Church of St. Francis Xavier, They walk beside us every day, No. 12, Jalan Banda Kaba, “I have fought the Unseen, unheard, but always near, Still loved, still missed M e l a k a a t 6 : 0 0 p m o n S a t u r d a y, g o o d fi g h t , I have finished the race, A. Santhana Doss and very dear. 7th March 2020, and followed by prayers at 8 : 0 0 p . m . a n d f e l l o w s h i p a t I have kept the faith” Departed: 12th March 2008 “A good name is better than precious ointment, and the day our official residence in Bukit Katil. 2 Timothy 4:7 Our hearts are empty because we can’t see you. of death than the day of birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1 “Eternal rest grant unto Sinapan Myselamani But they are full of love remembering you. Deeply missed and O Lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. 40th Day Memorial Service will be held on Deeply missed and forever cherished by forever remembered by May his soul rest in peace. Saturday, 7th March 2020 Family and loved ones. Wi f e , d a u g h t e r s , Amen. Masses at the Church of Lady of Lourdes, Ipoh sons-in-law & grandchildren. at 6.30am, Church of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, 1st Year Anniversary of a Loving Wife, Mother and Grandmother Ipoh at 8.00am & Church of St. Michael, Ipoh at 7.00pm. “In Life We Loved You Dearly, In Death We Love You Still, 25th Anniversary Thank You In Our Hearts, You Hold A Place In Ever Loving Memory of We are grateful for all the love, prayers and support No One Else Will Ever Fill” given to us during our time of bereavement. “Strength and dignity are her clothing, A special appreciation to the Parish Priest of Our she opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of Lady of Lourdes, Father Robert Daniel kindness is on her tongue. VARGHESE and to all the caregivers “Many women have done excellently, MIRANDAH but you surpass them all.” DEEPLY MISSED AND LOVINGLY Proverbs 31:25-29 (husband of the late Elcy Fernandez) REMEMBERED BY Deeply missed and lovingly remembered by (father of the late WIFE: ANTHONY JOSEPHINE Husband (Soundaraju Gabriel-Ex NST Employee) Henry Mirandah) CHILDREN, SON-IN-LAW, Grandchildren: To the Lord: 8-3-1995 DAUGHTERS-IN-LAW, GRANDCHILDREN, Kyeld Shayden Hansen, Schuylar Owen Hansen GODCHILDREN, SISTERS AND A HOST OF Letisha Tia Gabriel, Ishkar Noah Gabriel. RELATIVES AND FRIENDS Sons: Daughters-in-law: ‘Dearest Papa, we love you always’ Richard Pele - Remembered by Steve Hansen Sharon Ealiana Raj I Know HEAVEN is a Beautiful Place Sylvester Gabriel Kavitha Vijayan Children: Spouse: because They Have My DAD Daughters: Sons-in-Law: Charlotte Kumar Kandasamy (deceased) Susan D. E Sundram Hilary Claire Chong Siew Fong Deanna Serena Neel Patel IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER 19th July 1949 – Valerie Shena Mahendran Arunasalem Bridget Mohan Menon 10th March 2019 Deeply missed by Family, Friends, Relatives and Loved Ones. Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren. REST IN PEACE WITH CHRIST Evangelisation: Catholics in China We pray that the Church in China may persevere in its faithfulness to the Gospel and grow in unity.

Download the Click To Pray updates now. THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY March 8, 2020 Turn off cell phones for Lent Pope misses Lent VATICAN: Lent is a time to remove into a worldliness that atrophies the retreat due to cold all distractions and bitterness from heart. And there is no bypass [sur- VATICAN: Pope Francis said he will one’s life in order to better hear God gery] to fix that, only silence.” not take part in his annual Lenten re- and those who suffer silently and For Christians, the desert isn’t a treat with the Roman Curia in Ariccia need help, Pope Francis said. place of death but of life, “because due to a cold he has had for several “It is the right time to turn off the being in silence, in dialogue with days. television and open the Bible. It the Lord, gives us life again,” he “I also ask you to remember in prayer is the time to disconnect from cell said. the spiritual exercises of the Roman phones and connect ourselves to the Pope Francis asked that people Curia, which will begin this evening in Gospel,” the Pope said at his weekly strip away the superfluous and un- Ariccia,” the Pope said March 1. general audience on Feb 26, Ash necessary in their lives so they could “Unfortunately, a cold forces me not Wednesday and the beginning of find what really counts, what is es- to participate this year: I will follow the Lent for Latin-rite Catholics. sential and even rediscover the peo- meditations from here.” “It’s a time to give up useless ple already by their side. The Pope announced the decision to words, idle chatter, rumours, gossip” People capture images on their phones as Pope Francis arrives to lead his Fasting is part of that process, he stay at the Vatican after giving his Sun- and speak intimately with the Lord, general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican (CNS photo/Paul Haring) said, because it exercises the ability day catechesis and leading the Angelus he said. also with the healthcare profession- Just as Jesus spent time in the de- to go without things that are exces- prayer from a window of the apostolic It was the first general audience als and public officials who were sert, he said, Catholics must spend sive or frivolous. palace. of the year held outside in St Peter’s working hard to help patients and Lent creating similarly sparse sur- Making time for silence and soli- Francis, who cancelled his public Square, given the mild temperatures. stop the spread of the disease. roundings and a “healthy environ- tude will also help the faithful be- audiences starting Feb 27, had to pause However, given increased con- In his main audience talk, the ment of the heart.” come more aware of those who suf- several times to cough during the An- cern in Italy about the spread of the Pope explained “the spiritual sig- These places need a thorough fer silently around them, the Pope gelus and address. coronavirus, the Pope reduced his nificance” of the desert where Jesus “cleaning,” he said, because “we said. He added that he will join “spiritu- contact with people in the square, spent 40 days praying and fasting to live in an environment polluted by Lent is a time to draw near to ally” the curia and all those praying or shaking hands with only a few peo- prepare for his public ministry. too much verbal violence, by so those who are alone, abandoned, doing the spiritual exercises at home. ple before beginning his talk. In the Jesus often headed off to “desert- many offensive and harmful words, poor or elderly and anyone else in The retreat began in the evening popemobile, the Pope circled the ed” places to pray, “teaching us how which the internet amplifies.” need of help, he said. March 1 with bishops and cardinals of square, waving and blessing peo- to seek the Father who speaks to us People today lob insults with the “Prayer, fasting and acts of mercy the Roman Curia. It ended March 6. ple from afar, and the driver and the in silence,” the Pope said. same frequency and nonchalance as — this is the path of the Lenten de- Starting Feb 27, a slight illness has Pope’s security detail did not stop to “The desert is a place to get away if they were saying “hello,” he said. sert,” because it is only in the desert kept Pope Francis close to home. He pick up any children as is customary. from the racket that surrounds us. “We are buried under empty that one finds the way from death to had cancelled his larger audiences for In fact, at the end of his audience, It is the absence of words in order words, advertisements, devious life, the Pope said. “Let us follow three days but continued to offer his the Pope assured all those affected to make room for another word, messages,” the Pope said. “We are Jesus in the desert and with him our early morning Mass in Santa Marta by the virus of his closeness and the Word of God who, like a light used to hearing everything about deserts will bloom.”— By Carol and to keep individual meetings. — By prayers. He said his prayers were breeze, caresses the heart,” he said. everybody and we risk slipping Glatz, CNS Hannah Brockhaus, CNA Lent: An Explainer l Continued from last week

here are many Catholics who wonder what Texactly the Church requires during Lent, and why. Here are a few points that might help you have a great Lent this year:

I have heard the Fridays of Lent referred to as “days of abstinence.” When the Church talks about abstinence in this context, she is referring to abstention from eat- ing meat. During the Fridays of Lent, Roman Catho- In 1966, Pope St Paul VI said that the lics are to abstain from meat, in union with the Church’s “law of fasting allows only one full fasting of Jesus, and in memory of Christ’s meal a day, but does not prohibit taking some death on a Friday. Fish is not considered meat food in the morning and evening.” This is for these purposes, nor are some other kinds of often taken to mean that most Catholics should aquatic creatures in certain places. Generally eat one normal sized meal — with no meat — speaking, products derived from animals, like and two smaller snacks. broth or gelatin, are not considered to violate Those who wish for a more intense fast are the rule of abstinence. not prohibited from more fasting, but this is The point, really, is for the Fridays of Lent to generally a good idea to discuss with a spiritual be days of simplicity and even a bit of hunger. director, confessor, or pastor. All Catholics aged 14 and older are expected to abstain from meat, although those who can’t Wait — so I’m 60, and my grandson is do so for health reasons, along with pregnant 17. Does that mean we don’t have to and nursing women, are obviously exempted. fast? That’s correct. You are not required by canon What about fasting? When do I fast? law to fast – though you are still bound by the And what do I do? law of abstinence. This means that whether to The two required days of fasting during Lent fast should be a matter for your discernment, are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. These perhaps with some guidance from your pastor are also days of abstinence. All Roman Catho- or confessor. — CNA lics who are 18 but not yet 59 are required to both fast and abstain from meat on those days. l To be continued next week