As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones

MAY 10, 2020 are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual TERHAD sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus PP 8460/11/2012(030939) ISSN: 1394-3294 Christ. Vol. 27 No. 18 THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY 1 Pet. 2:4-5 Bold actions needed to avoid post-pandemic catastrophe ATICAN: Caritas Inter- most vulnerable communities in the poorest crisis and lack of safe living conditions. a result of COVID-19, which means carry- nationalis is highly con- countries,” it says. “Undocumented migrants are another ing out micro development programmes that The devastating effects of the lockdown on group that will be badly affected because can ensure food security for the poorest com- Vcerned about the major the global economy have resulted in a World they do not fall into any of the categories that munities, as well as humanitarian, health and humanitarian crisis towards which Food Programme projection that shows “the can get public aid,” it says. cash assistance. the post-pandemic is heading and number of people on the brink of starvation Caritas Internationalis’ Secretary-General, l Allocate additional funds for supporting urges the international community will double as a result of COVID-19 and Aloysius John, points that out this is “an the most vulnerable communities to survive could reach 230 million.” atypical emergency where the major donor during this period of lockdown to take courageous and immediate “Africa is the worst affected continent, countries are the most affected by the virus. l Ensure access to essential and afforda- action. experiencing food shortages due to the lock- But we need to know that the diversion of ble services for IDPs and refugees, including In a statement, the Catholic Church’s down, as well as a diversity of disasters such international aid to respond to national needs access to their camps and ensure humanitar- global confederation of humanitarian agen- as floods, drought, locust invasion and poor will not be the right solution.” ian aid. cies notes that in the last four months, in- harvest,” the statement reads, and many Therefore, Caritas Internationalis urges the “We can stop another major humanitarian ternational political and media attention has countries in “the Middle East, Latin America international community to: crisis if courageous and bold actions are tak- rightly focused on the spread of the virus, but and in Asia are already on the verge of a se- l Suspend economic sanctions against en to anticipate and support the most vulner- warns of the catastrophic aftermath. vere food crisis leading to child malnutrition Libya, Iran, Venezuela, and Syria in order to able communities” John concludes, and un- “All indications are that the aftershock of and starvation of the adults.” enable the importation of medicines, medi- derscores the fact that Caritas Internationalis the pandemic is expected to be even more Amongst the most vulnerable groups sin- cal equipment, and basic necessities for their joins Pope Francis’ call to promote a “crea- complicated and more deadly than the im- gled out by the statement are migrants, inter- population. tive global solidarity” and look “beyond the pact of the virus itself, especially for the nally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees l Give faith-based organisations the nec- COVID-19 response to avoid another major who are also severely affected by the food essary means to respond to priority needs as humanitarian tragedy.” — Vatican News All urged to pray for humanity on May 14 VATICAN: On May 14, “each person, from wherever they are and according to the teachings of their religion, faith, or sect,” turns to God “to inspire scientists to find a cure that can turn back this disease, and save the whole world from the health, economic, and human repercussions of this serious pandemic.” This is the proposal made by the High Committee for Human Fraternity “to our brothers who believe in God the Creator; to our brothers in humanity everywhere, in this moment in which our world faces a serious danger that threatens the lives of millions of people.” Pope Francis has also joined this appeal. “While we reaffirm the role of medicine and scientific research in fighting this pan- Pope Francis and members of the committee working to fulfill the goals of the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living demic, we should not forget to seek refuge Together” hold a special copy of the document issued by the Vatican Library Sept 11, 2019. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) in God, the All-Creator, as we face such a from the health, economic, and human re- Let us be united spiritually as one family on 14 May 2020 (Thursday) for severe crisis. Therefore, we call on all peo- percussions of this serious pandemic.” a Universal Day of Prayer, Fasting and Works of Charity, to overcome the ples around the world to do good deeds, The High Committee was formed observe fast, pray and make devout sup- last August in order to achieve the coronavirus pandemic. plications to God Almighty to end this objectives of the Document on Human WHAT IS PRAYER? SURRENDERING YOURSELF TO THE PLAN OF GOD pandemic.” Fraternity, signed on February 4, 2019 PREPARING YOURSELF TO SURRENDER TO THE PLAN OF GOD “Each one, from wherever they are and by Pope Francis and the great Imam of Al- WHAT IS FASTING? according to the teachings of their religion, Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb. The Pontifical (CHOOSING YOUR OWN PREFFERED TYPE OF FASTING) faith, or sect, should implore God to lift this Council for Interreligious Dialogue, it is WHAT IS WORK ANY ACTION DONE BY YOU THAT SAYS, “GOD WILL pandemic off us and the entire world, to composed of religious leaders, scholars OF CHARITY? OVERCOME EVIL’ rescue us all from this adversity, to inspire and exponents of culture from all over the scientists to find a cure that can turn back world, Christians, Muslims and Jews. — Prayers and Blessings, this disease and to save the whole world Asianews Right Reverend Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang 2 Forum / Reflection HERALD May 10, 2020 A chilling lesson from the 1930s n the late 1930s, my grandmother — negative experience or encounter with one she was then just a young mother — or two people from that community, but it Isuffered from tuberculosis. This was a Sunday Observer does not mean the rest of the community major health concern in that era. By is like that. The disease killed one billion people in Words have a powerful effect in stigma- the 19th and 20th Centuries. Like COV- Anil Netto tising entire groups of people — no mat- ID-19, tuberculosis is spread when an ter who our punching bag may be — and [email protected] infected person coughs, sneezes, spits — assume a life of their own, whether it is except that the droplets carry bacteria not foreign groups or minority groups or peo- a virus. that. businesses were destroyed. ple who are different from us one way or The best-known treatment at that time Antisemitism goes back to ancient Many other Germans privately sympa- the other. was complete rest and isolation. The con- times; there was also Christian antisem- thised with the Jews and some even helped In his time, Jesus was constantly break- cept of the “sanatorium”, originated in itism, and later political, social, economic the victims. But they feared the Nazi mob ing barriers, and reaching out to those who Germany in the 19th Century — a place and then racial antisemitism. inspired by Hitler. Some 30,000 Jews were stereotyped by his contemporaries – that provided ample rest, isolation and This kind of prejudice happens when were herded into concentrations camps. whether it was the Roman occupiers (re- clean fresh air, nourishing food and per- people stereotype an entire people based Although fewer than 100 were murdered member his conversation with the centu- haps light exercise for patients. on the perceived actions of a few, and this that night, hundreds of others were be- rion?), those with leprosy, those possessed The setting was perhaps in a hilly area, is then reinforced by propaganda, fake lieved to have committed suicide later or by demonic spirits (mentally ill?), the de- with a pleasing and refreshing climate, news or whatever. suffered from post-arrest ill-treatment. spised tax collectors, the “foreign” Samar- which was felt to be more conducive to The danger is when such prejudice is The pretext for all this bloodshed and itans and their ‘ungodly’ practices… recovery. then picked up by more and more people, violence? The assassination of a junior Jesus spoke to their hearts — the lan- The most commonly known treatment turning the entire people into scapegoats German diplomat in France by a 17-year- guage of love and compassion, and the at that time was “collapsing” the affected for some grievance or other. old Polish Jew, whose parents were lives of these ‘outcasts’ of society were lung. This was before antibiotics were de- In Germany, not all the Germans were stranded as refugees along the Germany- forever changed. veloped in 1946. against the Jews, but the Nazis deftly ma- Poland border. In contrast, his tongue lashings were And the only place for treatment in this nipulated the situation to crack down on The violence did not happen out of the reserved for the oppressive rulers and part of the world was in Sumatra, where this tiny minority and seize their assets blue. In the years leading to the blood- their sycophants who were burdening or my grandmother spent months in a sanato- and property. This took place even though shed, Nazi propaganda had scapegoated oppressing the ordinary people, never an rium, receiving treatment from a brilliant most German Jews were German citizens the Jews, who constituted less than one entire community of people. doctor, a German Jew, who was credited who were very much part of German so- per cent of the population in Germany, for We in Malaysia too should watch against with saving her life. ciety. almost every major problem in Germany: blaming an entire community or resorting The treatment comprised “burning” the People may know of the Holocaust, but their defeat in World War One, hyperin- to hate speech just because of the actions affected lung. Ammachi went on to live to well before that horror, a chilling precur- flation in the 1920s, the Wall Street crash of a few individuals who may have hurt 85 with just one lung. sor unfolded — Kristallnacht (Crystal that led to the Great Depression. or upset us — for, this fosters hate, suspi- We had a photograph of that German- Night) on November 9-10, 1938. (This When hate speech dehumanises an en- cion, stereotyping and racism. Jew surgeon in the family album some- was around the time when Ammachi was tire people, it is a slippery slope down, as We must not let our guard down, espe- where, and I sometimes wondered what being treated in Sumatra.) the community is then perceived as less cially living in a society where race and he was doing in Sumatra, of all places, in Nazi stormtroopers and civilians than human and deserving of their fate. religion are sometimes used as convenient the late 1930s. launched a pogrom against the Jews Hate speech eventually led to the blood- tools for those with vested interests to ex- It was only later that I felt he might have and rampaged through Germany. They shed, expulsion and finally genocide that ploit for their own ends. This also applies fled Germany during the Nazi persecution smashed synagogues and Jewish-owned killed six million Jews in concentration to our relations with communities who are of the tiny Jewish minority in the 1930s shops, buildings, schools, hospital and camps. considered foreign to us. which culminated in the Holocaust (1941- homes, leaving shattered glass on the This is why we have to be careful not to So let’s be mindful of the words we use, 1945). streets – hence the term “Crystal Night” or stereotype entire communities, no matter and avoid generalising and stereotyping The Holocaust did not happen just like “Night of the Broken Glass”. Some 7,000 who they are. Perhaps we may have had a entire communities, local or foreign. Fifth Sunday of Easter: Seekers oday’s readings begin with the Twelve someone needed to take care of the Samar- Tdealing with a problem. The problem itans, and the Egyptians, the Syrians, etc. Reflecting on our Sunday Readings was that they were being stretched thin. It was a great problem to have, but it was They had a responsibility to proclaim the still a problem. The Twelve needed to de- I hope that all priests are only concerned 5th Sunday of Easter with being men of faith. Priests as we Gospel to the ends of the world. This would vote themselves to prayer and preaching. Readings: Acts of the Apostle 6:1-7; take prayer and meditation on the events So they created a new ministry, a minis- know them in the Church are extensions 1 Peter 2:4-9; they had experienced in Jesus Christ and try of people from the various groups who of the Bishops’ ministries. an intricate study on how these events needed help and entrusted them with the There is another group of priests pre- Gospel: John 14:1-12 were prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures. charitable outreach of the Church. These sented in today’s readings. That group But the Church had grown tremendously, were the first deacons. You will notice Ste- consists in all the faithful. In the second Thomas and the Apostle Philip are seek- wonderfully. With this growth came more phen, the first martyr mentioned, as well reading from the First Letter of Peter, we ers. They want God in their lives. So do and more people who needed special care. as a Philip different than the Apostle Philip heard that all who are committed to Christ we. We seek, and we find. Our search for The reading mentions the widows of the presented in today’s Gospel. are de facto priests. The first Pope -pro God frees us from the shackles of a materi- Hellenistic, non-Jews, who were not re- By the way, the first reading also states claims, “You are a chosen race, a royal alistic society. Our union with Christ frees ceiving the daily distribution of food. Per- that even a large group of priests was be- priesthood, a holy nation, a people of us to embrace the wonders of a life with- haps someone needed to organise a way to coming obedient to the faith. This refers his own, so that you might announce the out limits, the awesome gift of eternity. get food to the Greek areas of the city. And to the Temple priests, although you and praises of him who called you out of dark- Like the Twelve in the first reading, we ness into his wonderful light.” also have to be careful that we are not The work of religion is not limited to stretched thin. We need to make time for the ordained. It is the work of all Chris- prayer and the study of the Word so we can tians. You embrace this work every time be the priests we are called to be. We need you reach out to others, calling them to to make a prayer schedule, and we need join you in worship. You embrace this to keep it. If we do not, then we will find work when you instruct your children on ourselves doing a lot but accomplishing the truths of the faith, every time you say nothing. to them or to anyone, “This is what we “In my Father’s house there are many must do to be followers of Jesus Christ.” dwelling places,” the Gospel begins. The way we live our lives, then, is not im- There is a room with your name on it and posed on us. It flows from within us, from a room with my name on it. Those rooms our own determination to live the life of are there, waiting for us to move in. Je- Christ. sus prepared these rooms for us. May we Therefore, Jesus says to Thomas and to prepare ourselves for Him. — B y M s g r us, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” Joseph A Pellegrino HERALD May 10, 2020 Home / Pastoral 3

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia Chancery Notice – Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur Guidelines for Parishes May 3, 2020 chan/MC/04/2020 Postponement of Opening of Parish to open offices and Offices and resumption of work This notice is pursuant to the “Guide- in the parishes (where applicable) be- lines for Parishes to open offices and fore the reopening of offices and the return of workforce on May 4, 2020” return of the workforce. return of workforce issued by His Grace, Archbishop Julian It is hoped that this can be done with- Leow on behalf of the Catholic Bishops in the period of this Fourth Phase of the Dear People of God temperature taken, hand sanitised and Conference of Malaysia and dated 1st MCO which is scheduled to end on May should be masked. Contact details of visi- May 2020. 12, 2020. If there is no further extension Joyous Greetings of our Risen Lord! tors should be recorded for the purpose of After considering the feedback of the of restrictions under the MCO, parish As the Prime Minister has announced the contact tracing. public with regard to the easing of re- and Archdiocesan offices are scheduled easing of lockdown restrictions in the coun- 8. The main gate of the church should strictions under the Conditional MCO to reopen on May 13, 2020. But if par- try to allow businesses and offices to return remain closed and only visitors who have and the decision of several states that ishes require more time to implement to work on the 4th of May 2020, we would made prior appointment should be admitted. fall within the territorial jurisdiction of the requirements of the SOP, the parish also like to propose the following measures the Archdiocese (Selangor, Negeri Sem- priest should exercise his discretion to 9. Although offices may be opened, the to be taken for the opening of parish offices bilan and Pahang) to delay the lifting delay the reopening until the above has government maintains a lockdown on reli- and return of workforce: of restrictions, His Grace has decided been satisfactorily implemented. gious activities involving mass gatherings. 1. Office staff — if there is only a single to ask all parishes of the Archdiocese, We will continue to monitor the de- A. All Masses and liturgical services Archdiocesan ministries, commissions veloping situation in the country and staff in the office, the office may be opened (except funerals under MOH and NSC May 4 (or at a later date deemed suitable and offices to defer the reopening of will issue future updates in line with guidelines) are still suspended until fur- their offices and the resumption of work Federal and State regulations and advi- by the Parish Priest) with normal working ther notice. hours and responsibilities. In the event that for the workforce. sories from the health authorities. there are additional staff, sufficient social B. Other gatherings at the parish (e.g. The Human Resource Department distancing must be strictly ensured or an al- meetings, formations, classes) remain of the Archdiocesan Curia is currently ternate work day schedule must be in place suspended until further notice. studying the Standard Operating Proce- Rev Fr Michael Chua for the staff to maintain adequate social dis- C. BEC gatherings (e.g. prayer meet- dures that are required for premises to Chancellor tancing. ings, fellowship, rosary, etc) are to be be reopened. Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur avoided as social distancing is to be This SOP must be fully implemented May 3, 2020 2. Air conditioning in the parish office is maintained. to be switched off during office hours. The office can be ventilated by switching on the D. We encourage parishes who have the fan(s) and opening the windows. capacity to do so to conduct meetings, US liturgical federation classes, prayers, and formation via on- 3. Cleaners, gardeners, housekeepers, line platforms. cooks and general workers may return to proposes temporary ban on work but social distancing must be strictly E. Home visits to the sick for sacra- maintained. ments can resume but with necessary precautions. The priests are to call Communion on the tongue 4. All staff or volunteers must undergo ahead to determine if the person is suf- WASHINGTON: Days after the US tion open with a series of seven gener- temperature screening if working in an en- fering from any COVID-19 symptoms; Bishops’ Conference forwarded a set of al principles, the first of which is “the closed environment. Hand sanitisers and visiting from house to house on a single suggestions for how Catholic prelates common good is our priority.” masks are to be made available. The staff/ day should be avoided. might restart the public celebration of “Our first consideration must be for volunteers must wear masks during work- the Mass during the coronavirus pan- the health and safety of our parishioners ing hours. The above guidelines may be revised demic, the national organisation of dioc- and those whom they will encounter,” it from time to time in line with updates and esan liturgical officials has published its states. 5. Letters from the Parish should be issued additional SOPs issued by the authorities. to staff to facilitate safe passage through se- own separate set of recommendations. “Let’s admit to ourselves that while We leave it to Parish Priests’ discretion to The guidelines from the Federation of we as clergy, liturgists, and musicians curity personnel roadblocks (a template is decide on further measures which are not enclosed). Diocesan Liturgical Commissions dif- have expertise on liturgical practices mentioned above and which may be needed fer from those offered by the bishops and sacramental theology, we must rely 6. Any staff or volunteer displaying flu by their respective parishes. on one major point: whether Catholics on medical personnel and scientists to like symptoms should notify the priest or Let us continue to serve the Lord and our should be allowed to receive Commun- give the best advice in these matters,” administrator and stay home. people as we maintain safe social distanc- ion on the tongue. it continues. 7. Individuals (not in groups) who have a ing. Where the bishops’ guidelines, pre- Other principles include continuing special and urgent reason to see the priest or May the Lord bless all of you and your pared by the Thomistic Institute at the to offer live-streamed Masses for those office staff must first make a prior appoint- loved ones and may we seek the protection Dominican House of Studies in Wash- who are most vulnerable to the effects of ment before the visit. As far as possible, if of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Joseph, ing-ton, say it is possible to offer Com- the virus, and to “think long term.” the matter could be handled by avoiding the Worker. munion on the tongue “without unrea- “Understandably, everyone is anxious any physical contact, alternative means of sonable risk,” those from the federation to return to normalcy,” it states. “But communication should be used — telephone Given this day 1st of May of the Year of suggest that reception on the tongue be the threat of the coronavirus is still very call, email, online conferencing. Visitors Our Lord 2020. temporarily prohibited. much with us. Even now, some areas of with prior appointments should have their Feast of St Joseph the Worker The new proposals illuminate the is- the country continue to experience new sue with a quotation from Fr Michael cases and increased fatality rates.” Nolan, an adjutant judicial vicar for the “This will certainly impact the way diocese of Wichita, Kansas. we worship and the rituals which are a “I think the present pandemic is a very vital part of our faith,” it continues. Your shepherds in Christ, justifiable reason to require Holy Com- Among the practical suggestions Most Rev Julian Leow Beng Kim munion in the hand,” writes Nolan. the federation puts forward: sanitising President Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia “No one has the right to endanger the handrails and doorknobs in churches life of another even unknowingly by after every Mass celebration, planning + Most Rev Simon Poh, + Rt Rev Sebastian Francis, demanding Communion on the tongue ahead for when supplies of disinfect- Archbishop of Kuching Bishop of Penang when the persons following could be ex- ant may become sparse in local com- posed to a virus of which the oral recipi- munities, and keeping decoration of the + Most Rev John Wong, + Rt Rev Julius Dusin Gitom, ent is not yet aware,” the priest states. church to a minimum, so as not to have Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu Bishop of Sandakan The new guidelines from the federa- to disinfect or launder such items fre- tion, made available on its website May quently. + Rt Rev Bernard Paul, + Rt Rev Joseph Hii, 4, take the form of a series of practical The US Bishops’ guidelines were pre- Bishop of Malacca Johore Bishop of Sibu suggestions for diocesan liturgy offices pared by a working group at the Thom- to consider in consultation with their re- istic Institute that included two medical + Rt Rev Cornelius Piong, + Rt Reverend Richard Ng, spective bishops. doctors and five priests. — By Joshua Bishop of Keningau Bishop of Miri The new guidelines from the federa- J. McElwee, NCR 4 Home HERALD May 10, 2020 Catechesis at home As in previous weeks, we Church of St Joseph, Batu Gajah present how catechesis is taking place in the home he church here did not stop Tcatechism even when the with material provided Movement Control Order first by the diocese, priests started. and catechists. “We were not prepared, and neither were the students,” said Church of Our Prema, the coordinator. There were many obstacles as Mother of Perpetual the MCO happened suddenly, Help, Ipoh and we were caught offguard. Prema said the COVID-19 vi- uring the Movement Control rus pandemic had brought a dras- DOrder, Our Mother of Per- tic change in their lifestyles. petual Help Church (OMPH) con- Hence it called for adaptations ducted catechism through What- to help see the children and peo- sApp messages. ple through the pandemic. According to OMPH Catecheti- “Our service towards our stu- cal Coordinator Marguerita Nali- dents has never stopped, as with na Jonathan, who proposed the our faith,” she added. plan, the children were guided by The faithful catechists and stu- their parents. dents somehow continued jour- She said that in this way, there is neying with Christ in their les- uniformity of the work (of teach- sons. ing the faith) and it is the same Various methods were in- teaching done everywhere else, troduced by St Joseph’s parish only the circumstances vary. priest, Fr Edmund Woon, to keep In this unusual season of the the spirits of the catechists and MCO, God is pleased to carry on students alive as they kept in His work of grace through the par- touch. ents of the children as well. Class catechists created a One of the lesson plans prepared by the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocesan “As all the children have the WhatsApp group and posted their Cathecatical Centre. catechism text books, the cat- activities and lessons for the chil- ing in the lessons. and also the catechists, for con- echists instruct the children on dren to be completed at home. These additional links were tinuing the journey of faith with what topics are to be covered. Parents were asked to guide contributed by Fr Woon and the the children. “This is conducted either on a their children in the lessons. catechists. “Parents and family mem- Saturday or Sunday, and the par- Besides the usual catechism, There were also various Bible bers have also played an impor- ents guide them, “ she said. there were links to Bible teach- quizzes, and interesting videos to tant supporting role by assisting She said the proposal had ing, and activities in different enhance the faith of the children. the Catechetical committee of OMPH parish priest, Fr Patrick languages to keep the children “We are very grateful and St Joseph’s parish here,” Prema Massang’s blessing. interested and activly participat- thank our parish priest Fr Woon, said. Biblical movies in Tamil.

Church of St Michael, Ipoh Church of the ucy Kok. the catchetical co- classes, SMC has embarked on Immaculate Conception, Lordinator, said several steps the Emmaus project, which was Johor Bahru have been taken to ensure SMC introduced by SMC parish priest pon the announcement of the students get their faith teaching. Fr Anthony Liew. second phase of MCO, cat- SMC has taken YouTube cat- The SMC Emmaus project, in- U echists were instructed by Deacon echetical related topics and live troduced on April 15, focuses on Sherman Kuek OFS to prepare streaming Masses and shared how to reach out to more people lesson notes every week. These them with students through their during the long, extended MCO. were then sent to the parish’s parents or grandparents’ mobile According to Parish Priest Fr catechetical office mobile phone. phones. Anthony Liew’s message to pa- Managed by Lourdes Pereira, “Fr Mark Michael’s catecheti- rishioners through WhatsApp, Mary Pereira and Angela Low cal sharings are also conveyed to it especially goes to the needy, OFS, the notes are checked, filed the students. which includes senior citizens, and then disseminated to parents “The coordinator sends the those who are away from their via WhatsApp groups of differ- necessary materials to the faith home or country, those without ent classes or email to teach their formators chat group, and they transportation or wi-fi, and those children at home. Parents can then convey it to their respective staying alone. WhatsApp their child’s catechist classes,” she said. “Like the two disciples who for guidance. The current enrolment at SMC journey to Emmaus with Jesus, we Work from the textbook given. Ongoing formation was also is 120 pupils, with 21 catechists. must be the companions for those organised for the Catechists by Besides these, for catechism needy ones during the MCO. “No matter how little we have, how to journey with others or help we still can share this with others them) before sending it to the cat- YouTube, which Deacon Kuek as long as we wish to help. echetical coordinators, namely produces every other week. “This can be as simple as mak- Lucy Kok (English section) and ing a call to one person each day, Francis Yoon (Chinese section). or praying for them,” he said, in They in turn forward the ma- his message. terial to the respective class cat- Fr Liew invited parishioners to echists, who use them in their join in the SMC Emmaus project classes. and the response was good. The SMC catechists also rely Since then, a committee has on their textbooks, the Malaysian been formed to identify what pa- Catechism series, which is sent to rishioners can do together as one the parents who can then use them church during the MCO. as reference. In the Sunday school, Jack If video teaching from YouTube Waran, a catechist, heads the is sent to the parents, then there SMC Emmaus project. He picks are guidelines as to how to con- A video teaching which is sent to parents with guidelines on how to conduct suitable catechism material from duct the catechism for their chil- One of the Youtube videos prepared the catechism for their children. YouTube, (teaching the children dren. by Deacon Sherman Kuek. HERALD May 10, 2020 Home 5 Celebrating Vocation Sunday Going online to cast their nets n previous years, Vocation Sunday was celebrated with events and Kuching Archdiocese Iroadshows to promote vocations to the priesthood, the religious or single life. However, due to the (Movement Control Order) MCO, such n the Archdiocese of Kuching, events are not currently possible. IArchbishop Simon Poh has Many have used the online media to celebrate this day, as well as to taken the lead by participating in encourage vocations. some video clips to show the sol- idarity, love and care our shep- Clergy from the Region herds have for their flock, and what it means to answer, “Here ome members of the clergy Archbishop Simon Poh have I am Lord” when they hear the Sfrom the region, Fr Jude Da- shared on their vocation in a Lord calling “Where are you?” vid, Fr Ignatius Yeo, Fr Anselm video entitled Shepherds After The video clip was put together Phang, Fr Stephen Yim and My Own Heart. with Archbishop Simon, priests, religious sisters and brothers and youth choirs located in Kuching, Sibu, Sabah, Pontianak (Indone- sia), and the Philippines, with the worship Jesus, for the Glory of can stop them in their steadfast common purpose to praise and God. No COVID-19 pandemic love for God!

Canossian Sisters Miri Diocese he Canossian sisters in Malaysia has also produced a vide- Toclip sharing their charism.

Members of the clergy from the region share their vocation stories.

Catholics at Home atholics at Home had Ca live podcast for Vocation Sunday with Fr Augustine Lee (the Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur) and Fr Clarence Devadass on May 2. Besides answering the queries of listeners, Fr Lee also shared on what it takes to be a priest as he different congregations in Catholics At Home speaks to Fr Augustine Lee, well as how can we pro- the Diocese of Miri sharing the Vocation Director of the Archdiocese of Kuala T mote vocations. Lumpur. their vocations. Answering God’s call or my thoughts are not your thoughts, Do not rob me of this love. How could this heart not love all your goodness? “Fand your ways are not my ways, said “… So is my word that comes out of my How could this heart not love all your kindness and the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the mouth: it shall not return to me idle, but it compassion? earth, so are my ways higher than your ways shall accomplish that which I please, and Thank God for the gift of Thy calling. and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” Thank God for the opportunity to serve you. 55: 8-9) (Isaiah 55: 10-11). It turns out that my desire Thank God for the faithful Love. I recall the moment when I was searching and effort to deny his voice, finally failed. The Thank God because you are always there for me. for direction in my life. Arguments occurred more I protested, the more I rejected it, the You are like the blood that flows in my veins. often between my God and me in time of stronger the calling gripped and captured my You are like the heart that beats in the recesses of prayer. There were 1001 questions nesting heart. Eventually, I had to surrender and bow my body. and raging in my mind. Strange was the situ- to His plan. “Naked I came from my mother’s You are like the heart that beats in my chest. ation, especially when I was unable to fathom Sr Suzan Guntabid FSIC womb, and naked I will return” (Job 1: 21). Always faithful the meaning of my life’s adventure. Every is the meaning of all this? My soul tossed I know that God never promised there Always there for me. plan met a dead end. restlessly. My mind engulfed in confusion. would always be sunny skies in this life. This, your merciful Calling For the second time, the reply to my ap- Yearning, I cried, why did you come to hit me Neither has He promised there would not be to work in your vineyard plication to the teaching college strayed from when we were apart? A language of silence stormy seas. Jesus said, “Take up your cross like rain on arid land my original intention. Every step of my life struck me dumb. No! My heart wriggled … and follow me” (Matthew 11:12). But one watering and refreshing my soul. seemed to lead me away from the path I not me, my Lord! Spare me. Call the other thing is for sure, God promised that He will Makes my life full of colourful beauty wanted to go through. I often wondered: what girls out there who are much better than me. always be there for me all of my life. “I am like rainbow stripes decorating the blue sky. with you always, even unto the end” (Mat- No words can portray thew 28: 20). These words enflamed my the feeling of gratitude to you. courage and enkindled my faith as I respond- No hymn can express ed to His calling. my thanks to you. There were times when I tried to follow Although this hand is not the way of the Lord, I tripped and fell. There capable of reaching the glittering stars in the sky, were also times when my steps deviated only Or counting the thousands of miles of road to follow the instincts of the flesh. However, or collecting every grain of sand. God’s love is so great. He is never tired of But all of them are capable of nothing but to express leading me back to his path. Up to now, the His gratitude to thee, O Lord my God. Lord never ceases to mould, carve and shape Hopefully this adventure will me in accordance with his original creation. Forever allow me to serve in thy field In truth I know that the Lord is Almighty, Because everything is for you Most Gracious, Most Merciful, All Forgiving Because everything belongs to you. Sr Suzan with the youth in St Paul Dontozidon. and most Generous. — By Sr Suzan Guntabid FSIC, CS 6 Home HERALD May 10, 2020

In Memoriam Malaysia’s first permanent deacon passes away KLANG: Rev A.P. Thomas, the first permanent deacon in Malaysia, passed away at the age of 87. He died on Friday (May 1) at 1.15pm at the Tengku Ampuan Ra- himah Hospital due to heart failure after suffering breathing difficul- ties. Deacon Thomas leaves behind his wife Daisy Thomas, five chil- dren and eight grandchildren. The third of four siblings, Thom- as was born in 1933 in Vettukad, a fishing village eight miles from Trivandrum in Kerala, India. As a young altar boy, he was in- spired to follow in the footsteps of his parish priest and harboured a desire to join the priesthood. How- ever, he had to cast aside this dream when his older brother passed away from pneumonia and he had to take on the role of breadwinner for the Deacon A. P. Thomas (far left standing) with the late Archbishop Emeritus A screen capture of the late Deacon A. P. Thomas funeral service. (ArchKL family. of Kuala Lumpur Tan Sri Dominic Vendargon, wife Daisy D’Cruz and youtube) Inset: Deacon A. P. Thomas. In 1953, at the age of 20, he their children after the ordination in 1974 at the Church of St Thomas in a deacon,” said Archbishop Julian Deacon Thomas, his family and came to Port Swettenham (now Kuantan. (HERALD file pic) Leow. all those who mourn his loss, but Port Klang) where he took up cluding Scripture, Canon Law and the people. “It is not easy to be a full time also for faithfulness in our lives to vari-ous jobs, including acting and Liturgy, he was ordained as Perma- His responsibilities as a deacon husband and a full time member the vows and the promises that we bookkeeping at several private nent Deacon on April 16, 1974, at included baptism, preparing cou- of the clergy. Even being in one is have made.” companies. the Church of St Thomas, Kuantan, ples for marriage, visiting the sick stressful. Yet Deacon Thomas was Archbishop Leow then thanked He received his Malayan citizen- where he served from 1974 to 1996. in hospitals, counselling couples, able to juggle both with great re- God for the gift of Deacon Thomas ship in 1957, and in 1961, he was Upon his retirement from the civ- and guiding teenagers. sponsibility. To have been faithful (his steadfastness, his service and employed as a government serv- il service, he moved to Klang where “It has been a very rich spiritual to the church, to come to do the will dedication) to the Archdiocese of ant with the Education Ministry in he served the parishes of Our Lady experience and I still keep myself of the Father. Kuala Lumpur in particular and to Kuala Lumpur before being trans- of Lourdes, St Anne and the Church busy with church work,” he said in “I am sure the words, ‘Welcome the Malaysian Church in general. ferred to Kuantan where he was ac- of the Holy Redeemer. an interview a few years back. into the kingdom prepared for you He then assured Daisy and her tive with the St Thomas parish. Deacon Thomas actively served “One of the most memorable my good and faithful servant,’ are family of their thoughts and prayer He married Daisy D’Cruz, who the Archdiocese for 46 years before experiences is probably watching the words that he will hear today. to them especially in the time of was from the same village in Kerala retiring. children who I baptised grow up to “He has been a faithful servant of their loss. in February 1962. Having a family and working be successful adults,” he added. the Church. We too, can reflect on At the beginning of the service, In 1967, when the Permanent full-time was never an obstacle for Due to the Movement Control our own vocation as clergy, spous- Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pa- Diaconate was restored through Reverend Permanent Deacon A.P. Order, the funeral service on May es and lay faithful, continue to listen kiam shared that Deacon Thomas Vatican II, he saw a chance to ful- Thomas in serving the Catholic 5 was open only to members of his and discern what God wants of us. was filled with joy when -he re fil his dream of being a member of Church. family and some clergy. “We know that death is not the ceived the news of his appoint- the clergy, and he put in his applica- Gentle, kind and caring, Thomas “Today I would like to focus on end. Our faith tells us that if we ment as Malaysia’s first permanent tion to the then Archbishop Domi- was admired for his wisdom, words faithfulness – how Deacon Thomas have died with Christ, we shall also deacon. Over the years, he always nic Vendargon. After a three-year and commitment to the Catholic has been faithful to his vows as a rise with him. maintained his smile even in the course covering several subjects in- Church and his keenness to serve husband, father, grandfather and “Let us pray today, not only for face of opposition to his role. Online forum helps Catholics live their faith in challenging times PENANG: Cast the Net on the Net ing the MCO period in line with and Daryl Tan from the Campus is the theme of a series of online INE’s goal to form leaders for the Ministry Office of the Diocese forums organised by the Institute mission of evangelisation. of Malacca Johore highlighting for New Evangelisation (INE) in “We know that many church efforts in reaching out to tertiary the midst of the Movement Con- leaders have done a lot of good students. trol Order (MCO) in Malaysia. work during this crucial period, The second forum on May 6 Scheduled on Wednesdays, and therefore it would be a great revolved around the use of social the forum began on April 29 and chance to give them a platform to media, with Carmelita Xavier will run for four weeks featuring share their stories,” he said. presenting on using this tool to different speakers from various Wong said that the forum might promote Jesus and Martin Jalleh church ministerial backgrounds. be extended, subject to the current sharing ways of evangelising on Currently limited to 30 par- situation and the availability of Facebook. ticipants each week, the forum speakers, opening the invitation to The upcoming forums on May is conducted within an hour via all Catholics to join and commu- 13 and May 20 will feature speak- Zoom and contains two sharing nicate with the speakers. ers such as Elizabeth Lopez, An- sessions with question and answer “We hope that through the shar- thony Lim, Adrian Ho and An- segments. ing of diverse experiences and nie Ling covering on topics on INE chairman Simon Wong ways of being effective disciples enhancing one’s spirituality and said that the forum style will al- on mission, forum participants faith through online resources. Daryl Tan from low participants to engage better will be able to assist those around Interested participants can reg- the Malacca Johore Diocese with the speakers as it provides them in their own way,” he said. ister by sending an email to juan- Campus room for dialogue and sharing of The first online forum saw [email protected] or call 012- Ministry sharing ideas. Christine Ho from the Cathedral 4011567, after which they will how they reach He added that the team was in- of the Holy Spirit (CHS) in Pen- receive a Zoom meeting ID and out to tertiary spired to bring together lay lead- ang sharing about the parish’s password for the forum. — By students. ers to share their experiences dur- COVID-19 outreach programme, Aaron Lim z HERALD May 10, 2020 Coronavirus 7 Lockdown forces farmers to burn crops NEW DELHI: Farmers in South could not maintain the crop which has left farmers facing huge chal- Indian states such as Karnataka and needed a constant supply of water. lenges. The supply chain has been Tamil Nadu are suffering devastat- The standing crop started to dry up. badly hit -- buses and train services ingly due to unharvested, unsold When I lost all options to protect it, I have been suspended and trucks crops. A year-long investment in set fire to the crop grown on one and face hurdles in moving across state the cultivations has now resulted in a half acres”, Murthy said. borders due to strict checks. Even zero income for thousands of fami- There are other similar cases between the states, the roads were lies who depend exclusively upon across the states of Tamil Nadu, blocked in the initial stage of lock- agriculture. Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh and down phase 1. On the back of wide- Gangadhar Murthy, a 63 year old Telegana. In Tamil Nadu, 70 per spread protests from different states, farmer from Mukunduru Hoshal- cent of the population depend on the transportation of primary goods lin in Hassan, Karnataka, burnt his agriculture whereas in Karanataka was facilitated to assure the supply Indian vegetable vendors chat as they wait for customers on the standing crop worth over 200,000 it is 65 per cent. April-May is the of rice, groceries and vegetables. outskirts of New Delhi, India, April 7, 2020. (Asianews photo) rupees. He was unable to harvest the normal season for the cropping of The economic crisis of the ag- sugarcane during the COVID-19 seasonal vegetables and fruits, but ricultural sector is not limited to until May 17. The setback caused threat to the metropolitan cities lockdown. With this, the work the due to the COVID-19 lockdown, South India. Summer fruits and by the COVID-19 pandemic will di- like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai etc, family put in over a year, besides the crops have been left in the fields, vegetables have ripened and a rectly and adversely affect the coun- now the situation has worsened in its investment of 80,000 Rupees, no longer available for transport to bumper crop of wheat is ready for try’s struggling rural economy that the rural districts in Telegana, Kar- has burnt the dreams of this poor other states or to the gulf countries. harvest in India, but is blocked by supports nearly half its population nataka and Andhara Pradesh. In family. Murthy had an agreement Although farming has been de- severe labour shortages, transport and cause further distress. Andhra Pradesh, most of the new with a sugar factory, but due to the clared an essential service and agri- bottlenecks and scarcity of demand Currently, COVID-19 is moving cases were reported in the Kurnool, lockdown, all the factories of the culture markets are exempted from due to a nationwide corona virus quickly to the rural areas of India. Guntur and Krishna districts. — By sector were closed in Karnataka. “I the lockdown, a shuttered economy lockdown which is now extended If it has been so far been a major Biju Veticad, AsiaNews Brazil Bishops’ statement on impact of COVID-19 in Amazonia BRAZIL: The Bishops of the Bra- reported by the media do not cor- Besides the forest peoples, urban pecially the Single Health System Quilombolas, riverine communities zilian Amazon have issued the fol- respond to reality. Testing is insuf- populations, especially those in the (SUS); and other traditional populations of lowing statement on the Covid-19 ficient to know the real expansion of peripheries, have their living con- To reject discourse that discredits the Amazon; pandemic and its impact on the the virus. Many people with evident ditions further degraded by a lack the effectiveness of scientific strate- l To strengthen inspection meas- population and the rainforest. symptoms of the disease die at home of basic sanitation, housing, food gies; ures against deforestation and artisa- “You must label the economic without medical assistance or access and employment opportunities. Mi- To adopt restrictive measures on nal mining, especially in indigenous operations that damage the Amazon to a hospital. grants, refugees, urban indigenous the entry of people into all indig- and traditional lands; with their proper name: injustice It is up to the public authorities to people, industrial workers, domestic enous territories, due to the risk of l To guarantee the participation and crime. You must be indignant.” implement responsible policies that workers and those who live from transmission of the coronavirus, of civil society, social movements (Pope Francis - Querida Amazônia) support the most vulnerable sections the informal economy are all crying except for professionals of the In- and representatives of traditional We, the Bishops of the Amazon, of the population. Indigenous peo- out for better health protection. It is digenous Special Sanitary Districts populations in the spaces of political in the face of the uncontrolled ad- ples, Quilombolas, and other tradi- the State's obligation to guarantee (DSEI); decision making. vance of COVID-19 across Brazil, tional communities are at great risk. them the rights stated in the Federal To carry out testing on the indig- After a rich process of listen- especially in the Amazon, express This risk also extends to the forest, Constitution by offering minimum enous population in order to adopt ing during the Amazon Synod, the our immense concern and demand given the important role these com- conditions which will help them get the necessary isolation measures Church in the region is attentive to greater attention from the federal munities play in its conservation. through this difficult time. and avoid the dissemination of the situation and its demands. We and state governments to this dis- The data is alarming: the region We, the Bishops of the Brazilian COVID-19; echo the cry of the poor and the ease that is increasingly spreading has the lowest proportion of hospi- Amazon who have signed this note, To provide personal protective cry of the earth. We want to ensure throughout the region. The peoples tals in the country. Extensive areas call upon the Church and the rest equipment (PPE) recommended by that urgent measures are taken to of the Amazon demand special at- of the Amazon have no ICU beds of society to demand the following the World Health Organisation in stop harmful activities and, at the tention from the authorities so that at all and only a few municipalities urgent measures from the Federal adequate quantity and with correct same time, investments are made their lives are not further violated. meet the minimum requirements Government, the National Congress, instructions for use and disposal; into alternative models of progress The mortality rate is one of the recommended by the World Health the State Governments and the Leg- l To protect health professionals and development in the region. The highest in the country and society Organisation (WHO) regarding the islative Assemblies: who are working on the frontline, model we currently have has failed: is already witnessing the collapse of number of beds and ICUs per in- To save human lives, rebuild both physically and psychologically it continues to destroy the Amazon health systems in major cities like habitant (10 ICU beds per 100,000 communities and relationships by l To guarantee the food secu- and put the lives of its people at risk. Manaus and Belém. The statistics users). strengthening public policies, es- rity of the indigenous communities, — ICN As COVID-19 crisis grows, Latin America’s BECs step up to help he impact of the coronavirus pandemic in Latin America BECs fruit of Vatican Council II has been devastating for the massive movement in the Lat- several fronts in the struggle for T in American Church, Basic Ec- the basic human rights among the poor. Not only are many suffering A because of the collapse of regional clesial Communities (BECs) were region’s oppressed people. and municipal healthcare systems in a direct fruit of the transformations Celso Carias, a professor of the- several countries, but the poor also in Catholicism engendered by the ology at the Pontifical Catholic have to face the most drastic effects Second Vatican Council and ac- University of Rio de Janeiro, said , of the economic crisis that has ac- companied the development of lib- at the peak of the movement in the companied the pandemic. In many eration theology in Latin America. 1990s, there were 50,000 CEBs in countries, members of basic eccle- With a general absence of priests Brazil alone. “Now they’re prob- sial communities (BECs) — known in the region, in small communities ably reduced to 20,000 in the coun- in Latin America as CEBs, from the — usually poor villages or neigh- try.” abbreviation in Spanish and Portu- bourhoods in the countryside or “It has been weakened as a guese — are stepping up to assist People transporting the remains of deceased loved ones wait in a slow-moving in the city — lay people started to movement,” Carias, who repre- the most vulnerable and to reflect on line outside Jardines de la Esperanza Cemetery to hold burials in Guayaquil, organise and read the Bible togeth- sents the Brazilian CEBs in the Na- Ecuador, on April 6, 2020. (America photo/Luis Perez via AP) new paths for their societies once the er, establishing relations between tional Bishops’ Conference, said. pandemic subsides. shortly after the participants’ de- its inception. “They’re very well-or- Scripture and their own lives, ac- “Their current strategy is to search The COVID-19 outbreak began to parture, the overpowering reality of ganised and have a proper network cording to Boff, and beginning a for alliances with other churches accelerate in Latin America shortly the coronavirus pandemic presented so they can make contact, provide process of personal reflection that and civil society organisations.” after CEB delegates from 16 coun- more immediate challenges to CEB information and alert the people on led to different roles in community, Throughout Latin America, tries gathered in Guayaquil, Ecua- members. precautionary measures.” direct service and advocacy. members of CEBs complain about dor, in mid-March for a continent- The CEB movement has become In addition, “they have a great “It was a new way of being the decades-long opposition of wide encounter — the 11th since well-structured in several nations sense of solidarity and collabora- Church — a popular Church with their countries’ bishops to their ef- the first forum of CEBs took place where it remains active. CEBs “have tion,” he said. “Their members are a popular culture, popular chants forts. According to Boff, Pope John in Volta Redonda, Brazil, 40 years two characteristics that can help to generous to the point of putting their and a particular way of reading and Paul II feared “the CEBs func- ago. The meeting was an opportu- fight coronavirus and protect the own lives in danger. They can or- commenting on the Bible texts,” tioned as a Trojan horse for Marx- nity to contemplate the decades-long poor,” said Brazilian theologian ganise a homemade production of Mr Boff told America. The CEBs ism to step into Latin America.” history of the movement and to plan Leonardo Boff, who has been a ma- masks and provide cleaning prod- soon organised as a network and a — By Eduardo Campos Lima, strategy for the next few years. But jor promoter of the movement since ucts for everybody in their region.” popular movement, operating on America 8 World HERALD May 10, 2020 Church in Timor-Leste steps up COVID-19 assistance DILI: Dili Archdiocese in Timor- dealing with COVID-19. clinics who will facilitate the provi- Leste has ramped up efforts to reach “If everyone has the awareness sion of spiritual assistance as well,” out to residents affected by the coro- and discipline to maintain their said Fr Salsinha. navirus pandemic by forming a spe- health, we will be able to break the Dili Archdiocese also has six tons cial pastoral task force. chain of spread of this deadly virus,” of rice, cooking oil and milk to be The formation of the team came he said. distributed to poor families in more after the government extended The archbishop also called on than 30 parishes. emergency social distancing restric- the government to keep its promise The rice will also be given to dis- tions for another 30 days. to provide US$100 in aid to every advantaged people such as widows Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da family affected by COVID-19. “It on the outskirts of Dili and vegeta- Silva revealed the formation of the will help ease the burden on families ble and fruit traders who usually sell COVID-19 Pastoral Support Team staying at home during the pandem- their produce by walking dozens of during a meeting with Prime Minis- ic,” he said. kilometres to and from the capital. ter José Maria Vasconcelos, popular- President Francisco Guterres Lu- The rest will be distributed to five ly known by his nom de guerre Taur Olo said extending the state of emer- parishes near the border with Indo- Matan Ruak, on April 28. Archbishop Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, with Prime Minister Taur Matan gency was not an easy decision but nesia and other parishes that are ex- In an hour-long meeting, the Ruak (right) and the COVID-19 Pastoral Support Team, speaking to media was necessary. periencing difficulties. prime minister gave his full sup- after their meeting in Dili on April 28, 2020. (UCA News/Thomas Ora) “I know it greatly affects families, Meanwhile, Canossian Sr Guil- port for the move and called on the state of emergency from April 28 to sic food supplies for poor families,” especially those who have to make a hermina Marcal said many people Church to continue to provide spir- May 27. Archbishop Da Silva was quoted as living from their own businesses and are not social distancing and not itual, psychological and material as- Archbishop Da Silva said the pas- saying on the diocese’s website. those at risk of losing their jobs,” wearing masks. sistance to the poor directly affected toral team of priests and members of The prelate said the Church was Lu-Olo said on April 28. “However, “I’m sewing masks and encour- by the pandemic. religious orders will work with Cari- committed to supporting the govern- we need to extend the state of emer- aging people to wear them. Every “The initiative was taken as a re- tas in providing spiritual and mate- ment following a spike in the num- gency because we want to save our day we produce 50 masks,” said Sr sponse to the calls of the Integrated rial aid for poor families subjected to ber of confirmed COVID-19 cases most valuable asset — people.” Marcal. “We have distributed more Crisis Management Centre COV- quarantines and lockdowns. since the first case was discovered Fr Angelo Salsinha, who heads than 1,000 to people … including ID-19 for cooperation and support The prelate said it would also re- on March 21. the pastoral support team, said it reporters.” for those who are quarantined or in direct funds donated by the Korean Archbishop Da Silva urged citi- consisted of dozens of priests and As of May 4, Timor-Leste had isolation,” Archbishop Da Silva told Church for a new nunciature to help zens in predominantly Catholic Ti- nuns who specialised in psychology recorded 24 confirmed COVID-19 reporters after the meeting. in the fight against the pandemic. mor-Leste, especially in Dili Arch- and medicine. cases but no deaths. — By Thomas The government has extended the “The funds will be used to buy ba- diocese, to help the government in “There are many sisters at medical Ora, ucanews.com South Korea resumes church services Blood of St Januarius liquefies SEOUL: Catholic churches in keep social distancing norms within Mass,” she said. South Korea have resumed com- churches as a precaution. Rosa Park Sun-hee in Dangu Par- in Naples under lockdown munity prayers, maintaining strict “I’m very happy to celebrate ish of Wonju Diocese wants church ROME: The liquefaction of the precautions of social distancing as Mass with you beloved people after worship “without so many restric- blood of the early Church martyr they gathered for worship after a missing Masses for two months, in- tions, like what it was before.” St Januarius occurred amid the gap of two months. cluding Easter Mass,” said Auxilia- “I hope the pandemic ends soon coronavirus lockdown, leading the With Cheongju and Jeonju dio- ry Bishop Benedict Son Hee-song, so we can share the joy in our Lord Archbishop of Naples to bless the ceses resuming public services on the vicar general of Seoul. “We can- Christ together, as we did before,” city with the miraculous relic. April 28, at least 12 of the 16 dio- not sing hymns [for fear of spread- he said after the April 26 Mass. “Dear friends, I have a big an- ceses in the country have resumed ing the virus through droplets] and Drive-in services, where mem- nouncement to make: even in public worship, which was stopped we have to restrict numbers.” bers attend Mass by parking their this time of coronavirus, the Lord around Ash Wednesday on Feb 26 Precautions include checking the cars on school playgrounds, were through the intercession of St Janu- as a way to check the spread of the body temperature of attendees to also initiated by some Christian arius, has liquified the blood!” Car- coronavirus pandemic. make sure they do not have a fever. congregations during the outbreak. dinal Crescenzio Sepe said May 2. Religious activities resumed as Masan Diocese and Kwangju South Korea’s preventive meas- Cardinal Sepe, the Archbishop social and economic life gathered Archdiocese are planning to resume ures against the pandemic received of Naples, offered a Mass via vid- steam after authorities lifted restric- public worship in the first week of global attention, with some lauding eo livestream from the Cathedral tions on public meetings on April May, while most churches in South its “democratic” form of interven- of the Assumption of Mary to cel- 26 following a drop in virus infec- Korea will have regular Masses by tion compared with China’s auto- ebrate the recurring miracle, and tions. mid-May, a source said. cratic model. then used the relic of the liquified Seoul Archdiocese was among The resumption of Masses was The success is attributed to an ag- blood to bless the city. the first to resume Masses on April like ending starvation, said Sarah gressive testing and contact-tracing “How many times our saint has 23 and conducted Sunday Mass on Choi Gwi-hye, who attended Sun- regimen. South Korea has reported intervened to save us from the In this file photo, Pope Francis April 26, but it insisted on registra- day Mass at Seoul Cathedral. some 10,700 cases and 246 deaths plague, from cholera. St Januarius kisses a reliquary containing what tion of worshipers to restrict their “We all have been starved of the from the pandemic despite being is the true soul of Naples,” he said is believed to be the blood of St numbers. Eucharist for two months. With the the first nation outside China to see in his homily. Januarius during a meeting with Church and civil authorities have Mass, I felt the love of God. I'm a major outbreak at the start of this St Januarius, or San Gennaro in religious at the cathedral in Naples, asked people to wear masks and pleased to join this long-awaited year. — ucanews.com Italian, the patron of Naples, was a Italy, March 21, 2015. (CNS photo/ bishop of the city in the third cen- Paul Haring) tury, whose bones and blood are one side of the reliquary becomes preserved in the cathedral as relics. blood that covers the entire glass. He is believed to have been mar- In local lore, the failure of the tyred during the Diocletian perse- blood to liquefy signals war, fam- cution. ine, disease or other disaster. The reputed miracle is locally “Naples has never given up in known and accepted, though it the face of the misfortunes that has not been the subject of offi- have affected it,” Sepe said. cial Church recognition. The liq- The cardinal praised the health- uefaction reportedly happens at care workers who are serving least three times a year: Sept 19, those infected by the coronavirus the saint’s feastday, the Saturday in the city. Naples is the capital before the first Sunday of May, of the region of Campania, where and Dec 16, the anniversary of the 4,459 people have been docu- 1631 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. mented with COVID-19 by the During the miracle, the dried, Italian Ministry of Health. — By A Catholic Mass takes place at Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul on April 23, 2020. (Yonhap photo) red-coloured mass confined to Courtney Mares, CNA HERALD May 10, 2020 World 9 Pope Francis raises Cardinal In new biography, Benedict Tagle to new rank XVI laments modern ‘anti-Christian creed’ VATICAN: Modern society is formulating an ing Paolo Gabriele, and explained that his 2010 “anti-Christian creed” and punishing those visit to the tomb of Celestine V, the last pope to who resist it with “social excommunication,” resign before Benedict XVI, was “rather coin- Benedict XVI has said in a new biography, cidental.” He also defended the title “emeritus” published in Germany May 4. for a retired pope. In a wide-ranging interview at the end of Benedict XVI lamented the reaction to his the 1,184-page book, written by German au- various public comments since his resignation, thor Peter Seewald, the pope emeritus said the citing criticism of his tribute read at the funeral greatest threat facing the Church was a “world- of Cardinal Joachim Meisner in 2017, in which Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle wide dictatorship of seemingly humanistic ide- he said that God would prevent the ship of the VATICAN: Pope Francis has raised Cardinal ologies.” Church from capsizing. He explained that his Luis Antonio Tagle to the rank of cardinal Benedict XVI, who resigned as pope in words were “taken almost literally from the bishop in a new sign of his esteem for the 2013, made the comment in response to a ques- sermons of St Gregory the Great.” former Archbishop of Manila. tion about what he had meant at his 2005 inau- Seewald asked the pope emeritus to com- The Holy See press office said May 1 that guration, when he urged Catholics to pray for Pope Benedict XVI ment on the “dubia” submitted by four car- the Pope had designated the prefect of the him “that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.” “Modern society is in the process of formu- dinals, including Cardinal Meisner, to Pope Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peo- He told Seewald that he was not referring to lating an ‘anti-Christian creed,’ and resisting it Francis in 2016 regarding the interpretation of ples as a cardinal bishop, along with Cardi- internal Church matters, such as the “Vatile- is punishable by social excommunication. The his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia. nal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congre- aks” scandal, which led to the conviction of fear of this spiritual power of the Antichrist is Benedict said that he did not want to com- gation for the Clergy. his personal butler, Paolo Gabriele, for stealing therefore only too natural, and it truly takes the ment directly, but referred to his last general The elevation caps a rapid rise for Tagle, confidential Vatican documents. prayers of a whole diocese and the universal audience, on Feb 27, 2013. who only took up his new post in Rome this In an advanced copy of Benedikt XVI - Ein Church to resist it.” Summing up his message that day, he said: February. Leben (A Life), the pope emeritus said: “Of The biography, issued by Munich-based “In the Church, amid all the toils of humanity He had previously served as the 32nd course, issues such as ‘Vatileaks’ are exasperat- publisher Droemer Knaur, is available only in and the confusing power of the evil spirit, one Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2020. He ing and, above all, incomprehensible and high- German. An English translation, Benedict XVI, will always be able to discern the subtle power was a high-profile figure at the 2018 youth ly disturbing to people in the world at large.” The Biography: Volume One, will be published of God’s goodness.” synod. A year later, Pope Francis named him “But the real threat to the Church and thus in the US on Nov. 17. “But the darkness of successive historical head of the powerful Congregation for the to the ministry of St Peter consists not in these In the interview, the 93-year-old former pope periods will never allow the unadulterated joy Evangelisation of Peoples, replacing Cardi- things, but in the world-wide dictatorship of confirmed that he had written a spiritual testa- of being a Christian ... There are always mo- nal Fernando Filoni. seemingly humanistic ideologies, and to con- ment, which could be published after his death, ments in the Church and in the life of the indi- Tagle has been president of Caritas Inter- tradict them constitutes exclusion from the ba- as did Pope St. John Paul II. vidual Christian in which one feels profoundly nationalis, a confederation of 165 national sic social consensus.” Benedict said that he had fast-tracked the that the Lord loves us, and this love is joy, is Catholic relief and development agencies, He continued: “A hundred years ago, eve- cause of John Paul II because of “the obvious ‘happiness’.” since 2015. ryone would have thought it absurd to speak desire of the faithful” as well as the example Benedict said that he treasured the memory Members of the College of Cardinals are of homosexual marriage. Today whoever op- of the Polish pope, with whom he had worked of his first meeting with the newly elected Pope divided into three orders: cardinal deacons, poses it is socially excommunicated. The same closely for more than two decades in Rome. Francis at Castel Gandolfo and that his person- cardinal priests and cardinal bishops. Cardi- applies to abortion and the production of hu- He insisted that his resignation had “abso- al friendship with his successor has continued nal bishops are the highest-ranking. man beings in the laboratory.” lutely nothing” to do with the episode involv- to grow. — CNA Traditionally, six cardinal bishops from the Latin Church are appointed as titular bishops of Rome’s ancient suburbicarian sees. East- Vietnam is rich in vocations, adaptable to the ern Catholic patriarchs who are cardinals are also cardinal bishops. The Pope named Stella the titular cardinal current moment bishop of the Suburbicarian Church of Porto- HANOI: Last Sunday, 3 May, was World Day Santa Rufina, a title previously held by Car- of Prayer for Vocation. On this occasion, Bish- dinal Roger Etchegaray, who died Septem- op Anphong (Alphonse) Nguyễn Hữu Long of ber 4, 2019. Vinh shared his thoughts about it with young Tagle was not assigned a suburbicarian Vietnamese. see. Instead, Pope Francis issued a rescript “Everyone is given a mission by the Lord,” giving the Filipino cardinal the same status he said. “We can choose a religious life or mar- as other cardinal bishops. riage. We respond to God’s will with all our In June 2018, the Pope expanded the num- freedom, our faith and our generous commit- ber of cardinal bishops beyond six, appoint- ment.” ing a new group of cardinal bishops without Ordained bishop on Dec 22, 2018 by Pope assigning them suburbicarian sees. Francis, Bishop Hữu was assigned to the Dio- They were Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vati- cese of Vinh on Feb 1, 2019. He now chairs can Secretary of State; Cardinal Leonardo the Evangelisation Committee of the Catholic Sandri, prefect of the Congregation for the Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam for the 2019- Catholic Church of Vietnam had about seven million members, with 5,000 priests and more than 5,000 seminarians and students. (Asianews photo) Eastern Churches; Cardinal Marc Ouellet, 2022 period. prefect for the Congregation of Bishops; and “All vocations are noble, as long as you vocations is one of the things the Catholic more than 5,000 seminarians and students. Cardinal Filoni, then prefect of the Congre- discern exactly what God wants for you,” the Church strives for, but quantitative increases Data from the Religious Committee of the gation for the Evangelisation of People. prelate said to Vietnamese priests and reli- also requires greater focus on quality. Bishops' Conference indicate that, as of early Following Tagle’s and Stella’s appoint- gious. “The greatness of the vocation of priests Through the examples of Vietnamese mar- 2019, the local Church had 307 religious con- ments, there are now 14 cardinal bishops. and religious is that they do not live for them- tyrs, many have faced hundreds of challenges gregations and associations with a total of The Pope also named Brazilian Archbish- selves, but live with God for others (cf. Rom and died for their faith. After just 500 years, 33,087 religious, including 28,099 nuns and op Ilson de Jesus Montanari, secretary of the 14:7-9). At the same time, throughout their the seeds of faith have sprouted almost eve- 4,988 religious, with 1,670 religious order Congregation for Bishops, as Vice Camer- lives, they honour God and seek salvation for rywhere in the country. Vocations have multi- priests. lengo of the Holy Roman Church May 1. others.” plied and the footsteps of the Vietnamese mis- Many Vietnamese men and women reli- The Vice Camerlengo helps the Camerlen- Studies by the Catholic Church have shown sionaries can be found everywhere. gious have gone abroad. many Vietnamese go — currently Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Pre- that there are many priestly and religious voca- The text Giáo Trình Hội Nhập Văn Hóa priests note that “the Vietnamese Catholic fect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and tions in Vietnam. This abundance is certainly Công Giáo Việt Nam (Vietnamese Catholic Church is exporting vocations to other coun- Life — in his duties, which include formally not spontaneous, but is the result of many posi- Cultural Integration Programme) shows that tries,” especially the United States where certifying the death of a reigning pope and tive factors such as the moral atmosphere of in 2019 the Catholic Church of Vietnam had more than 950 Vietnamese priests are present administering the Holy See’s temporal goods the family and the friendly social environment. about seven million members, or seven per across the country. — By Paul Nguyen Hung, before the election of a new pope. — CNA The development of priestly and religious cent of the population, with 5,000 priests and AsiaNews 10 Editorial HERALD May 10, 2020 HERALD The US Church is going May 10, 2020 Are we in denial? broke. Here’s why, and he coronavirus pandemic has thrown a wrench in the Twhole world’s plans. We must stop life as we once knew it until scientists find a cure or a vaccine for COVID-19. Oth- erwise, there is a risk that hundreds of thousands or even mil- what it could mean lions more, people will die. ell into the pandemic’s grip on and lay personnel, including insurance to annual appeals, in addition to the earn- As of Wednesday May 6, the disease has already killed public life, parishes and dio- and retirement costs, fund religious educa- ings from investment portfolios, real estate nearly 265,000 people. The figure is moving towards 74,000 ceses are preparing a return to tion and other ministries and maintain old holdings and endowments or foundations. deaths in the United States alone and in Malaysia 107. W some new kind of normal. buildings. Parishes also give some portion Some cash is unrestricted, but some may World leaders talk about the pandemic as if waging a war Masses are resuming, albeit for small of their annual revenue to their diocese in be spent only on certain things. Some dio- against an invisible enemy. Might may make right in an eco- numbers in limited circumstances. Catho- the form of a tax, although in some dio- ceses also charge parishes fees for some nomic and social system rigged in favour of the rich and pow- lic schools and colleges are making plans ceses the parish goal for annual diocesan shared services, though in other places no erful, but it cannot stop a lethal virus. to reopen in September. fundraising drive takes the place of a di- such fees are assessed. You cannot fight it. You cannot go about your normal, eve- Though some acute effects of the rect assessment. If, as projected, the economic downturn ryday lives. If you try, more and more and more people will pandemic may shape the Church in the In some parishes, costs to the diocese is long-lasting, there will be other meas- die. months to come, the collapsing global are the single biggest expense each month. ures. Dioceses are likely to halt all reno- But it seems that some world leaders and local politicians economy will have a far more enduring In recent years, parishes have made ef- vation projects or new constructions, sell are willing to move in that very direction. and dramatic impact on parishes, chancer- forts to increase their online giving rev- off properties, shutter ministry centres, Even normal folks are finding it hard to grasp the reality of ies and other Catholic ministries. enue, not in anticipation of a pandemic, and neglect long-term obligations. Some what a pandemic means – that it is everywhere, all over the In other words, barring some kind but because online giving income is more of those measures simply pass the costs of world. of miraculous economic recovery, the predictable than parish offertory, and pre- the present into the future; they will need Millions of people have had to cancel trips to other coun- Church “ain’t seen nothin’ yet”. dictable income makes it easier to budget. eventually to be paid. tries they were scheduled to make during the vacation months. Despite some difficult bumps in the Still, most studies suggest that online giv- Many dioceses operate small savings- Some are re-scheduling these foreign travels to a later date, early weeks, many bishops seem to have ing makes up only a small fraction of rev- and-loan operations, in which parishes in spite of knowing that almost no airline is taking reserva- found a reasonable balance between the enue for most parishes. can deposit their savings and earn interest, tions right now. Still, they are determined to get on with life spiritual needs of their flocks and the legit- In short, even when people can actually and cash can be loaned to other parishes as if it’s business as usual. imate demands of public health officials. go to Mass, the margins in most parishes for construction or renovation. If parishes All this, friends, is called denial. Nevertheless, while dioceses are doing are thin. pull their cash reserves, dioceses will halt Right now, we cannot continue life as it was before the many things right, few have found effec- Those thin margins are why parishes loans. If they halt loans, they’ll also have pandemic. And we probably won’t be able to do so for quite tive ways to continue raising money. And across the country have already laid off or difficulty paying interest on deposits, and some time. But, even then, it will not be exactly the same. the cash crunch has already begun reshap- furloughed employees. parishes will be less likely to put new The coronavirus should be making us all stop. But, instead, ing what the life of the Church will look While payroll is an ongoing cash obli- money on deposit. it’s “go, go, go”! The world’s modus vivendi is really its mo- like after the pandemic. gation for most parishes, building mainte- The mutual aid of non-profit savings- dus faciendi. Parishes are funded mostly by their nance is an ever-looming parish liability and-loan will likely dry up, and future And where are our Catholic spiritual leaders in all this? weekly collections, with some additional that, many pastors know, can quickly be- parish projects will require bank loans, at Too many of the Catholic faithful have also responded in contribution to operational expenses from come expensive. far higher interest rates, and under much the same way – trying to keep everything going as before in endowments or bequests that generate Parishes tend to spend what they have harsher terms. There will simply be fewer the virtual reality of a cyber-church. predictable revenue each year. Special to on the ministry in front of them. Except of those projects permitted. Popes and priests have for a very long time, been warn- projects like construction or renovation in dioceses where building maintenance Large Church projects coordinated ing people of the dangers of a consumerist lifestyle, trying are usually funded by pledge drives and is regularly audited, or when pastors are at the diocesan level are mostly funded to convince them that “being” is much more important than financed through loans. especially zealous, routine maintenance through the gifts of major donors. Those “doing” or “having”. Even in ordinary times, Catholics are on old buildings is often delayed or ne- donors have lost considerable portions The forced lockdown should have been the moment for not generally known for generosity to par- glected. Few parishes account for depre- of their wealth amid market volatility. spiritual leaders to stand up and calmly, but firmly, remind ish collection plates. The Centre for Ap- ciation. When something breaks, the cost The loss of their benificence will impact their people that this is an opportunity – a summons – to stop plied Research in the Apostolate estimates is high. And with dramatically decreased school scholarship funds, seminary for- “doing”. that Catholic families registered in a parish collections this year, what little mainte- mation, and ministry to the poor, along Let’s be clear: we cannot really “participate” in a virtual give an average of $10 each week in offer- nance might have been done is likely to with campaigns to meet the underfunded Mass any more than we can share a virtual handshake, hug tory. By most estimates, that amount has be deferred. pension or construction liabilities of previ- or kiss. Some things demand real presence. It’s amazing how been on the decline since the 2018 sexual Meanwhile, dioceses are, like parishes, ous decades. many Catholic priests and people seem to have forgotten this. abuse scandal, which has prompted wide- anticipating significant revenue reductions Not all dioceses will be impacted Karl Rahner, who was one of the most important theologi- spread frustration with bishops among ac- in the current quarter and in the next fiscal equally, but several have already begun ans in the initial years following the Second Vatican Council tive Catholics. year. Dioceses are funded through taxes or announcing the layoffs and closures that (1962-65), had a clear sense of what it would mean to be a From that $10, parishes pay their priests assessments, which are sometimes linked signal their financial positions. believer in the post-confessional age. “The Christian of the future will be a mystic or will not ex- ist at all,” the German Jesuit said. The downturn in economy raises a new Church His point was that Christians in a largely de-Christianised he economic downturn likely fore- Nevertheless, barring some dramatic The downturn might also occasion a world would have to find their union with God, not in places Tcasts more diocesan bankruptcies, change in forecasts, those things seem new zeal, and opportunity, for evangeli- and things that primitive religion marks out as “sacred”, but the closure and sale of parish and di- practically inevitable. sation, as people shaken by the pandem- in that which it abhors as “mundane”. ocesan properties, a financially poorer They will require a new way of living ic and its aftershocks, find themselves Rahner wrote extensively about the incarnate (and incarna- presbyterate, and considerably fewer the Church’s life, or the rediscovery of looking for meaning. That evangelisa- tional) God and said this God can and must be “experienced” ministry staffs at every level. What those old ways. tion will likely be undertaken organical- in the living reality all around us. things mean for the future of the Church A poorer US Church, even one made ly, which is say to cheaply, rather than by Rather than mundane, this created reality is infused with is a matter of perspective. poor through tragedy, might find that it professional initiatives driven by expen- transcendence, precisely because of the Incarnation of God in Few will be glad to see ministry pro- meets the vision of Pope Francis’ hope sive and time-consuming pastoral plans. the person of Jesus the Christ. fessionals lose their livelihoods, or to see of a “poor Church for the poor.” None of those things are new, but all However, some of Rahner’s more progressive-thinking the families of Church workers face un- Such a Church will require more Cath- of them might seem like novelties in the admirers might be surprised that he opposed televising the certain futures. Few will be glad to see olics to take personal responsibility for months to come. But whether bishops Mass. churches paid for by past generations the mission of the parish, the diocese, will encourage embracing a new way of — By Robert Mickens, fall into disrepair or be sold. Few will and, ultimately, the Gospel. seeing the Christian vocation, or instead be glad to see retreat centres or schools The downturn may well occasion a try to get back to “business as usual,” re- LCI (https://international.la-croix.com/ shuttered. rise in the prominence and influence of mains to be seen. HERALD — The Catholic Weekly Some will likely praise the winnow- ecclesial movements whose lay mem- The US is facing an unprecedented Jointly published by the ing of the Church’s bureaucratic class. bers generally give far more time than time in its history. But the Church is not: Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, But those with day-to-day experience other Catholics to missionary work, and she has faced plagues, pandemics and Diocese of Malacca Johore, of ministry professionals will acknowl- often with more evangelical fervour. depressions before. Diocese of Penang and Diocese of Keningau edge, even while criticising a tendency It may also occasion the emergence This pandemic, and the economy, will Editor: Fr Lawrence Andrew, SJ towards bureaucratic bloat, that the indi- of small tight-knit faith communities disrupt the typical parish experience of HERALD, 5, Jalan Robertson, 50150, KL viduals who fill Church positions usually within parishes, who meet regularly in American Catholics for a long time to Tel: 03-20268290/20268291; do so because of a desire to serve Christ homes rather than in large parish events. come. But bishops might just begin to Fax: 03-20268293 and the People of God, and usually do It might even occasion a rise in the fre- look to the Church’s past, to articulate Online: www.heraldmalaysia.com. so after ample investment in their own quency of catechesis undertaken mostly a vision of hope for her future. — By E-mail: [email protected] education for ministry. at home, by parents themselves. JD Flynn, CNA HERALD May 10, 2020 Focus 11 Call for pastoral plan for parishes after COVID-19 his is an open discussion paper during Re-opening in the parish our current shutdown situation, with a My main aim is to be prepared in a pastoral Tview to making the most of our time to way in this parish for the day when parishion- work out a Pastoral Plan for the reopening of ers will be able to return to worship together. our churches. A lot will depend on what we have been doing in the meantime, to reach out to others in their How will we, as Christians, rise again time of need. On this matter, I feel helpless, from our COVID-19 crisis? but we have been celebrating Mass each day We can take inspiration from the Pope’s re- online. I am most thankful to the Verbum Dei cent Easter reflection: Missionary Fraternity based here in the Spir- The wish the Pope expresses on concluding ituality Centre at St John Vianney Church. his reflection is that society might find “the Our gratitude also to Srs Devy, Monica and necessary antibodies of justice, charity and Anabel. They have looked after the informa- solidarity. Let us not be afraid to live the alter- tion technology, most of which I am utterly native civilisation of love”. It is a “civilisation unaware of. How will we be in the new era? of hope”, he says, confounding “anxiety and Fr Joe Ryan (right) with the parishioner of St John Vianney Church, in West Green, north London. fear, sadness and fatigue”. This civilisation, he A new chapter — a golden opportunity Renewal of life within our Church tential Rite needs to be meaningful in those explains, needs to be built daily, “uninterrupt- As our churches reopen, people will arrive We need to present a safe and welcoming opening days. Here, there is a pastoral possi- edly”, and requires everyone’s commitment, with much joy, hope and expectations. It can space for all God’s people. This new home, bility we may not have even considered, and a “committed community of brothers and be a new Pentecost, a new beginning. By we need to be working on now. While there yet are part of our Church’s tradition in the sisters”. (Pope Francis: “Let’s not be afraid to opening a new chapter, we can take into ac- will be the familiar, there is also some redec- Sacrament of Reconciliation. There will be build an alternative civilisation of love”). count all that has gone before and build on the orating to be done, some repair work, some so much ground to be covered and to catch faithfulness of the people. We will have been spring cleaning, maybe new “furnishings’. I up on, such as the obvious sacraments like Personal starting point through a national crisis hitherto unknown. don’t mean new pews, but a fresh theology; First Holy Communion, First Reconcilia- As I put my thoughts to paper, we have been Some will have suffered and lost close mem- a theology of welcome, forgiveness, com- tion, Confirmation, the RCIA candidates, shut down for almost six weeks already and bers of their families, as well as friends, while passion, nourishment and freshness. All of Baptisms, weddings and certainly Memorial it’s been announced that we’re going to be others will have worked in frontline services, this doesn’t have to be earth-shattering, but Masses for all who have died. We need to be closed down for a further number of weeks, putting themselves and their families at risk. a simple development of thought and vocab- aware that people are looking for meaning if not for the rest of the year. We are living in All will have been in some form of isolation ulary, just like the many languages spoken in their lives. There are those faithful who difficult times; times we never expected or re- and some will have lost their livelihoods. We and understood at the first Pentecost. will return full of joy to be back again where ally prepared for. We all have our own ideas, will all have changed. We hope we will be a they feel they belong. There are others who observations and predictions. Our lives are better, stronger, and different people. Parish liturgy are searching, those who have been hurt or full of uncertainty. We ask, how long will it Our isolation, however, might have frozen Our parish liturgy on that first weekend will wounded or had turned their backs on the last? I ask myself, “will I survive?” Part of me our thinking, so that we remain in mourning be so vital. We need to begin as we hope to Church for whatever reason, such as loss of says, “Due to your age and asthmatic condi- and shock, anxious only to return to the world continue. It’s not just a matter of opening friends and relatives, working in dangerous tion, you are in real danger.” It’s not very easy we knew before. For a vacuum has been cre- the same ‘doors’ that we closed in the lock- circumstances, those having to contain chil- to come to terms with this prospect. And it is ated during the time of lockdown. A vacuum down. Those who return will have much to dren in small spaces, as well as disappoint- in this light that I write these words. If you can be a wonderful thing, but also danger- be thankful for, but also much to mourn and ment, cynicism with Church and with soci- find these words helpful, good; if not, that’s ous. We can be sucked in to whatever space much to rebuild. We could well remember ety. They need to be welcomed, understood fine too — just leave the ideas be. As the Pope or reality that is presented. Yet God’s word, the Jubilee Door of 2000. The concept of and appreciated at the new wedding feast! says, this new civilisation needs to be built read particularly during this Easter and Pente- jubilee has to do with forgiving debts, let- This New Spring will mean new sowing daily, so it follows that we can begin here and cost season, presents a different reality — of ting slaves go free, declaring an amnesty and a lot of pruning! It is only when the rose now. The details for the national reopening renewal, hope, healing and comfort. The fol- to those in any kind of chains and prison. is pruned severely that new shoots appear. A have yet to be worked out, but we can make lowing are but some of the aspects of this real- Our Eucharist is important. There will be so fresh catechesis is needed. Pope Francis has our preparations. ity, seen through the eyes of faith: much to be grateful for. Likewise, our Peni- been leading in this. Renewal in the world — building a new civilisation of love e cannot simply focus on our par- so much to learn from the early Christian the more I realise we should be busier than of COVID-19. Time and experience will have Wish life, important though that is. The Churches. We see how the new Christians ever: thinking, praying, evaluating and dis- moved us on. We need to open a new chap- world will be a different place, and we must met for worship in their homes, just as you cerning who we are as a Church. Rather than ter in our spiritual, political and social living. be ready to respond to the greater and differ- have been doing in this time of shutdown. deploring our sad situation, we could be get- We have precious days while on lockdown to ent needs that there will undoubtedly be. The We can learn a new vision of what it means ting on with Zoom conferences and having share these ideas and have dialogue together soul of the nation/world is up for grabs! We to be Church. We can see how the apostles dialogues on pastoral matters. in order that we hear what the Holy Spirit is need to be ready to build on the outpouring of and leaders acted as the numbers of Christians saying to us. solidarity we are currently seeing, for our ser- expanded; what type of leadership emerged... A lesson from Irish history How can we take some of these ideas for- vice workers and our vulnerable neighbours. there were presbyters, elders, and all those As an Irishman, I’m always very conscious ward? I have mentioned several items in pass- with different gifts and talents, all working of that period of Irish history leading up to ing; they may need developing. Some people A New Pastoral Plan together to build up the body of Christ. Here the Great Famine of 1846-47. There were 8 may say, “Well, all of this is unnecessary, We need a fresh Pastoral Plan — a plan medi- is much food for thought. million people in Ireland. How many priests, because the future is uncertain. That’s fine, tated and worked on by bishops, priests, reli- how many large churches were there for but we need to plan. We would appreciate gious and laity. In the parishes, we will have How are people coping in other parts people to gather? Very few! How did the some dialogue and comments, an expansion to implement the welcome. of the world? faith in such a large population of Catholics of the few ideas that we can discern. We are There will be many pressing considera- We can well keep in mind our Christian broth- survive? It wasn’t by attending Mass, as the all in this situation together: bishops, priests, tions, including the fact that schools, colleges, ers and sisters in other countries who have the Penal Laws were in vogue. People were not sisters, laity. All have a vital role to play to universities will be with us. That is why I celebration of Mass maybe once a month, allowed to gather for Mass or the practice of ensure we make the most of this time of soli- would like to have a dialogue on the topic, so maybe once every six months, when a priest their faith. There were Rock Masses in iso- tude, confinement and shutdown in order that that all of us together can work out a pasto- is able to visit. How do they keep their faith lated districts; can we learn anything from we hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the ral plan. Our government will direct us in so alive? What is their understanding of Church this period of history? During this time, what churches! many ways and guide us in best practice - but and being a Catholic? They are not a sacra- priests there were, were on the run and would Some questions to consider: any civil leaders will not provide the neces- mental based practising Christian community. celebrate Mass in the open air with a rock for Have you any plans for those early days sary liturgical plans or pastoral plans! They need to rely on the Liturgy of the Word an altar. People would gather for Mass, while when people return to their parish churches? In the meantime we work day by day. I of God and on their family prayers at home. others would be on the lookout for the sol- How do you think the Church can respond would like to continue the daily Mass online. It is a different way of ‘being Church’. What diers seeking to arrest the priest. What was the and be proactive in the post-lockdown pe- To date, hundreds of parishioners have been does it teach us? We could well examine our definition of Church in those circumstances? riod? faithful to Mass. During Holy Week and on understanding of priesthood and maybe re- How do we try to restore morale and re- Sundays, so many have participated. Thanks think the concept so vital in the teachings of Conclusion tain the goodwill and generosity shown in for all your support and prayers. Vatican Council II on the role of the laity and We have a golden opportunity to re-evaluate the shut-down time? — By Fr Joe Ryan, St Between Easter and Pentecost look more the priesthood of the laity. our understanding of being Church today. Our John Vianney Church, West Green North closely at the Acts of the Apostles. We have The more I think of this time of lockdown, lives will never be the same again as a result London, ICN 12 Varia HERALD May 10, 2020 Fever

ohn Updike, after recovering or exclusion. It is not the things is significant that he takes their through Good Friday. There is from a serious illness, wrote that brought glory or adulation question seriously. He does not no route to depth and wisdom Ja poem he called, Fever. It into your life that gave you depth (in this instance) chide them except through suffering and ends this way: But it is a truth and character, the time you were for seeking their own glory; humiliation. The connection long known that some secrets are the valedictorian for your class what he does instead is redefine is intrinsic, like the pain and hidden from health. or the time you were the star glory and the route to it. He asks groans of a woman are necessary Deep down we already know athlete. These did not bring you them: “Can you drink the cup?” to her when giving birth to a this, but as a personal truth, this depth. Rather, the experience They, naïve as to what is being child. Further still, Jesus is also is not something we appropriate of powerlessness, inferiority, is asked of them, responded: “Yes, saying that deep suffering will in a classroom, from parents or what made you wise. we can!” Jesus then tells them not automatically bring wisdom. mentors, or even from religious I recall too, as a graduate something to which they are Why not? Because, while there is teaching. These just tell us that student sitting in on a series of even more naïve. He assures an intrinsic connection between this is true, but knowing it does lectures by the renowned Polish them that they will drink the deep suffering and greater depth not itself impart wisdom. Wisdom psychiatrist, Kasmir Dabrowski, cup, since eventually everyone in our lives, the catch is that is acquired, as Updike says, who had written a number of Fr Ron Rolheiser will, but tells them that they bitter suffering can make us through a personal experience books around a concept he still might not receive the glory deep in bitterness, anger, envy, of serious illness, serious loss, or termed, “positive disintegration”. He gave this response: because being seated in glory is and hatred just as easily as it can serious humiliation. His essential thesis was that it “Ideally, maturity and wisdom still contingent upon something make us deep in compassion, The late James Hillman, is only by falling apart that we should grow out of experiences else. forgiveness, empathy, and writing as an agnostic, came to ever grow to higher levels of of strength and success; and What? What is “the cup”? wisdom. We can have the pain, the same conclusion. I remember maturity and wisdom. Once, maybe in some instances they How is drinking it the route to and not get the wisdom. hearing him at a large conference during a lecture, he was asked: do. However, as a psychiatrist, glory? And why might we not Fever! The primary symptom where, at one point in his talk, “Why do we grow through all I can say is that in forty years receive the glory even if we do of being infected with the he challenged his audience the disintegrating experiences of clinical practice, I have never drink the cup? coronavirus, COVID-19, is a with words to this effect: Think such as falling ill, falling apart, seen it. I have only seen people The cup, as is revealed later, high fever. Fever has now beset back, honestly and with courage, or being humiliated? Would transformed to higher levels of is the cup of suffering and our world. The hope is that, after and ask yourself: What are the it not be more logical to grow maturity through the experience humiliation, the one Jesus has it so dangerously raises both our experiences in your life that have through the positive experiences of breaking down.” to drink during his passion and bodily and psychic temperatures, made you deep, that have given of being loved, being affirmed, Jesus, it would seem, agrees. dying, the cup he asks his Father it will also reveal to us some of you character? In almost every being successful, being healthy, Take, for example, the incident to spare him from when in the secrets that are hidden from case, you will have to admit or being admired? Shouldn’t in the Gospels where James Gethsemane he prays in agony: health. What are they? We don’t that it was some humiliation or that fire gratitude inside us and, and John come and ask whether “Let this cup pass from me!” know yet. They will only be abuse you had to endure, some acting out of that gratitude, we they might be given the seats In essence, what Jesus is telling revealed inside the fever. — By experience of powerlessness, should become more generous at his right hand and left hand James and John is this: There is Fr Ron Rolheiser, all rights helplessness, frustration, illness, and wise?” when he comes into his glory. It no route to Easter Sunday except reserved Indonesian Jesuits respond to the coronavirus pandemic ndonesia is the second country ing hand in hand with the gov- with JRS Indonesia Director Fr in Southeast Asia, after Singa- ernment. Many Jesuits, includ- Peter Devantara SJ as coordinator Ipore, with the highest number ing scholastics, are members of and animator of Jesuit initiatives. of confirmed COVID-19 cases as the Catholic Network Fighting Jesuit social institutions, such of 22 April. It also has the high- against COVID-19. Together with as JRS Indonesia, SPM Realino est death rate in the region at 8.3 individuals and representatives of Yogyakarta and Jesuit communi- per cent. The government’s social Catholic hospitals, universities, ties have been active in provid- assistance programme is not suf- civil society groups, government ing essential needs to the poor ficient to meet the daily needs of offices and social institutions, the and medical supplies to health families who have lost their in- Jesuits are responding to the needs care workers treating COVID-19 come because of shut-downs and of the poor, and the medical per- patients. Aside from raising do- large-scale social restrictions. sonnel and volunteers working on nations, the province has also of- Of all those affected, refugees the front lines. fered its retreat houses in Klaten, and asylum seekers awaiting third On March 29, Indonesian Jesuit Surakarta, Central Java, and other country resettlement are in the Provincial Fr Petrus Sunu Hardi- available Jesuit houses to be used worst situation. They cannot get yanta SJ sent a letter asking all as makeshift hospitals in treat- any social assistance from the Jesuits in the province to support ing non-COVID-19 patients, and government because Indonesia and participate in the emergency as lodging for medical and non- is not a signatory to the Geneva response to COVID-19 by de- medical volunteers. Some Jesuit Convention on Refugee Protec- veloping initiatives in close col- communities have donated their An LDD volunteer sprays disinfectant inside St Mary of the Assumption Cathedral in Jakarta. (jcapsj.org) tion. Refugees depend on support laboration with the local Catholic communities’ allocated budget for from UNHCR, IOM, and other Church, the government, the Cath- this purpose. karta and entrusted to the Jesuits, more and more people,” he said, civil societies and individuals that olic Network and other stakehold- Through Lembaga Daya Dhar- Fr Kristiono Puspo SJ, his staff, in an interview on national tel- have limited funding. ers. To underscore the call to ac- ma (LDD-KAJ), a social centre and volunteers are mobilising re- evision, which aired LDD-KAJ’s Indonesian Catholics are work- tion, Fr Sunu formed a task force owned by the Archdiocese of Ja- sources and spreading the spirit activities. The centre has been of belarasa (compassion, solidar- closely collaborating with the ity). They provide packed food, Muslim faith-based humanitarian personal hygiene kits, personal organisation, LPB-NU, the big- protective equipment and other gest moderate Muslim community basic needs to vulnerable people in Indonesia, in distributing basic and medical personnel. An emer- needs to poor families affected by gency post has been set up in the the pandemic. centre to provide food for public In Indonesia, it seems the dis- transport drivers, homeless peo- ease is only at the initial stage. ple, street vendors, scavengers, This situation forces us to think hawkers, parking attendants and more strategically and to antici- other most vulnerable people. To pate the social services we will maintain physical distancing and need to provide come the recov- avoid crowds during distribution, ery phase. However, we should the staff and volunteers deliver the not be pessimistic in dealing with essential goods to people in slum this uncertain and challenging areas and on the streets. situation. God grants us sufficient Fr Kristiono is grateful to the blessings to overcome this chal- volunteers. Through them “the lenge. — By Fr Adrianus Suyadi Fr Kristiono Puspo SJ, staff and volunteers of Lembaga Daya Dharma prepare food packs for distribution. (jcapsj.org) spirit of compassion can be felt by SJ, jcapsj.org HERALD May 10, 2020 13

BEC Family (1976) (1996)

Formation Dialogue (1976) (1976) INTEGRAL Amid the pandemic, Philippine EVANGELISATION Unity Poor (1976) (1976) Social Youth Communication (1986) (1996) Church focuses on the poor

MANILA: There’s no stopping the pines are also pulling out all stops in Catholic Church in the Philippines helping poor families. from doing what is expected of them The Jesuits and the De La Salle in difficult and desperate times: Brothers have banded together to helping the poor and the vulnerable raise money to support people fac- sectors in society amid the life-and- ing hunger amid the lockdown. death threat from the COVID-19 As of April 15, they have raised pandemic. more than 10 million pesos (about There’s Bishop Gerardo Almi- US$198,000) to feed around 500 naza of San Carlos Diocese and homeless staying in safe shelters co-chairman of the Church People– and over 6,000 urban poor families Workers Solidarity, urging the gov- in Metro Manila. ernment to help the country’s work- The Jesuits and the De La Salle ers by releasing cash aid promised to Brothers run two of the biggest them since the quarantine measures schools in the country, Ateneo de imposed due to the disease outbreak Manila University and De La Salle adversely affected their livelihood University (DLSU), respectively. and food security. DLSU was one of the first schools “We strongly demand that the Church volunteers distribute food packs in an urban poor community in the Philippine capital amid a lockdown to to provide temporary sanctuary to Department of Labour and Employ- contain the spread of the new coronavirus. (LiCASNews photo/Jire Carreon) street dwellers in Manila during the ment immediately release financial Department of Labour and Employ- close or implement flexible work ar- month’s supply of food and personal enhanced community quarantine. assistance to all affected workers ment requires employers to apply rangements. hygiene items that the residents Another campus in the capital also whether from small, medium, or for the financial assistance for their Meanwhile, Catholic Relief Ser- themselves selected during remote provided shelter for health workers large enterprises,” Bishop Alminaza workers. vices (CRS) is supporting persons consultations with CRS and TWHI. of The Medical City. said. “We reiterate our call to the gov- with disabilities and workers in the CRS Philippines is also work- Ateneo has also initiated a fund The prelate pointed out the urgen- ernment to oblige all companies to informal economy affected by the ing with Caritas Pasig in provid- drive to provide personal protective cy of this demand as workers and apply on behalf of their workers lockdown, with over 1.2 million ing some 150 informal workers equipment for hospital workers and their families are left without any and/or allow workers to apply di- pesos (about US$24,000) in initial with 5,000-peso cash grants (about food packs for families who have income to buy food and other basic rectly for the said assistance,” said assistance. US$100) that they can use to buy been affected by the loss of jobs due necessities. the bishop. CRS is the US bishops’ overseas food and other basic necessities. to the lockdown. He also urged the government to About 220,000 workers affected relief and development agency. Its Cash grant beneficiaries include The Catholic Church in the Phil- ask companies employing affected by the lockdown have already ben- sub-office in Manila has partnered tricycle and jeepney drivers, side- ippines has mobilised practically its workers to apply for the cash assis- efited from its COVID-19 Adjust- with Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, walk vendors, construction workers entire machinery, from the national tance under the government’s social ment Measures Program, said the Inc. (TWHI) to help at least 116 and those who have lost their source to the local levels, to help the poor amelioration programme to mitigate labour department. people with disabilities in a residen- of income but are excluded in the and the vulnerable sectors cope with the impact of the quarantine meas- About 1.4 million workers have tial facility in the town of Cainta, government’s cash assistance pro- the debilitating health and economic ures. been displaced since the lockdown Rizal province. gram. crisis caused by COVID-19. — By The assistance provided by the forced businesses to temporarily The assistance includes one The religious orders in the Philip- Ernesto M. Hilario, LiCAS.news Franciscan nuns brave challenges to help hill tribe KANSABEL: A middle-aged wom- The community depended on for- munity about the new COVID-19 an wanted to hug Sr Annie Jesus est produce or threads made out of pandemic and alerted them to keep Mary who was distributing relief plastic cement bags. The daily wage outsiders from entering their villages. packets in scorching heat in a remote earners could not go to markets to An NGO from Spain offered to hilly region of the central Indian state buy provisions as they had little cash. sponsor food for the hungry. of Chhattisgarh. “Having large families, it was very The nuns and their staff made ar- “Madam, thank you. Your compas- tough for them to survive,” the nun rangements to procure needed provi- sion has satisfied our hunger. Indeed explained. sions from wholesale shops. Sister God has heard our cry,” Sunmati Bai She said her conscience was dis- Annie said the shop keepers hiked of Sajapani panchayat in Jashpur dis- turbed when she sat for meals in her the prices of food grain during the trict told the Franciscan Missionaries convent. “I started thinking how I lockdown. of Mary nun in a feeble voice, hold- could help those who do not have a Sr Annie said her companions ing a face mask that was distributed. proper meal a day during this lock- came forward to repack food items Sr Annie, as the nun is popularly down. I knew deep within that God such as rice, edible oil, spices and called, wearing mask and gloves, would show me a way.” pulses. acknowledged the woman’s compli- When she shared the idea of relief Apart from food items, they also ments with folded hands. But she work with other nuns in Vijaya Jyoti included hygiene products such as maintained the mandatory distance Convent in Kansabel, they agreed to soap, sanitizer and face-mask in re- from the woman. explore ways to help the poor. lief packets. Each bag cost them 910 Similar greetings came from wom- “That was the starting point,” says rupees. Sr Annie distributes food items among Chhattisgarh tribals. (Matters India) en in other distribution locations as Sr Annie, who drew up a workable Sr Annie thanked her companions to observe all precautions and obey and the courage shown by our ani- the nun went about visiting various strategy to address the hunger needs for their generosity and sensitivity in the rules and regulations. “Collabo- mators bore fruit finally,” she said. tribal villages in forests where back- of the tribal community. meticulously packing the relief items ration with authorities is of utmost Finally, the district collector gave ward Pahadi-Korwa tribes live. When the federal government ex- and then “braving all odds to reach necessity in sending provisions to the her permission over the phone. They Sr Annie is the project coordinator tended the lockdown to May 3, Sister out to the Pahadi-Korwa tribal peo- poor safely and securely,” the nun began the relief work from April 20. of the Jeevan Jharna Vikas Sanstha Annie made some phone calls with ple with sympathy and understand- explained. They were delighted when Laksh- (foundation for the advancement of the staff at the grassroots. The nuns ing.” Besides seeking permission from man Ratiya, local Tehsildar, volun- lifestream), an NGO managed by also sought needed permission from She says they work with a lurking the authorities, the nuns and their teered in the distribution work. the women congregation at Kansabel the district administration. The staff fear of contracting the coronavirus or staff have to travel to the villages. The local police escorted Sr Annie town in Jashpur district. visited nearby villages to undertake a becoming a carrier and thus infecting They also have to overcome people’s and her team to various tribal vil- The nationwide lockdown to survey to assess poverty among the their community and the children re- fear of strangers. lages. contain COVID-19 has stopped all Pahadi-Korwa families. siding with them. Sr Annie recalled the initial hesita- The nun and her team braved hail movement to the villages, and the They finally identified a total of “The risk of closing our eyes to tion of the authorities to grant per- storms and uncomfortable travel in only way the nuns could contact the 600 families in five blocks of Jashpur the virus of hunger impelled me to mission. small pickups up to four hours long village communities was by phone. district in need of help. overcome the fear of contracting the “God’s ways are revealing: our to reach the tribal villages. “We knew the people, especially Further filtration helped shortlist disease. We may face this emergency prayers in the convent, my persistent All this helped them reach all the Pahadi-Korwa community, hard- 480 families for immediate help. only once in our lifetime,” Sr Annie networking with many government 480 families in 12 days, braving ly had any essential commodities in Apart from conducting the survey, explained. officers including our supportive or- hot weather and irregular meals. — their homes,” said Sr Annie. the staff educated the tribal com- She says the challenge for them is ganisations, consultation with friends Matters India 14 Inter faith & Cultural Dialogue HERALD May 10, 2020

BEC Family (1976) (1996) DIALOGUE Formation (1976) (1976) INTEGRAL Israeli and Palestinian doctors EVANGELISATION Poor Unity (1976) (1976)

Social Communication Youth (1986) (1996) united against COVID-19 JERUSALEM: As in other coun- an opportunity “to rethink our way one.” tries, from Egypt to Iraq where of life, how to go to church, mosque Meanwhile, COVID-19 research Christians and Muslims work to- or synagogue. This illness has a lot in Israel is showing promising gether, even in one of the most dis- to teach us and future generations.” signs. Although there is a long way puted and controversial areas of the It underlined the “role of the Inter- to go before a drug or a vaccine can world, efforts are underway to join net, its importance in keeping ties be truly effective against the virus, forces against the common enemy: alive. Everyone must have seen the the Israeli Institute for Biological COVID-19. images of Holy Week, an empty Research (IIBR) appears to have Bernard Sabella, a Fatah repre- St Peter’s Square. We all identified isolated a key coronavirus antibody. sentative for Jerusalem and execu- with Pope Francis standing alone. After the development phase, scien- tive secretary of the Department of Now the question is — how can we tists say that the production of this Service to Palestinian Refugees of think about the future?” antibody on a global scale is “pos- the Middle East Council of Church- “I have always been afraid that sible”. es, can bear witness to the climate Israel and Palestine might be struck For Sabella, “On a personal level, of solidarity that has emerged in the by a devastating earthquake. Now, the emergency did not turn my life wake of the novel coronavirus pan- the novel coronavirus has been a upside down because most of my demic. The Church and Christians are playing a role in easing the confrontation devastating earthquake for life, so- work is spent in front of a com- “I have a nephew who works as and promoting dialogue. (Asianews photo) ciety, the economy and faith eve- puter. However, now I always go an oncologist in the largest hospi- ally “followed instructions to the plained. “Doctors are committed to rywhere in the world. But now we out wearing gloves and mask, espe- tal in Jerusalem,” said Sabella. “He letter and stayed home. Occasion- saving lives. This is a sign of hope, can hope to begin with more shar- cially when I go shopping or to the tells me about Israeli and Palestinian ally, you see someone in the super- hope that politicians can learn from ing, starting right with the earth’s pharmacy. doctors working side by side during markets of Arab Jerusalem without doctors.” resources, instead of turning inward “What is certain is that, this time this emergency, without discrimina- a mask, not behaving correctly, but “We are all in the same boat, even in a narrower and narrower space. has been valuable for reflection, tion. There is a shared commitment in general, people follow the rules,” though seas are different according “The Church, with its charisma understanding that too often we of all parties involved, Jews and Ar- especially those over 65 who “stay where we are in the world. COV- and leadership, here at the local have taken for granted the beautiful abs, even those who come from the away from their kin and acquaint- ID-19 teaches us that, despite differ- level as well, can play a role in the things we have; like the opportunity West Bank”. ances; distancing and separation are ences, we can solve problems in a post-pandemic period. As Chris- to see grandkids and give them a During the lockdown and quaran- followed.” reasonable way without confronta- tians, our task and responsibility are hug, like yesterday. Nothing should tine ordered by Israeli and Palestin- “Ministerial authorities on both tion, divisions, or war.” to go knocking on all doors, to seek be taken for granted; this is a good ian authorities, people have gener- sides are working together,” he ex- For Prof Sabella, the pandemic is exchange and dialogue with every- thing to keep in mind.” — Asianews Online prayer unites religious leaders KOCHI: Sanskrit hymns, Christian Sreemadh Vasudevananda brah- Cleemis, Major Archbishop of the mastha Sukhino Bhavantu as his follow the directions of the Govern- prayers and Arabic chants were manandhabhooti, head of Thek- Syro Malankara Catholic Church, prayer. “It is a time when not only ment and health workers who are broadcast one after another through keMutt Thrissur and Sreemadh Baselius Marthoma II Catholicose, sanyasis but everyone around the involved preventive activities,” he digital media on May 3, as major re- Achyuta Bharathikal of Thrissur head of the Orthodox Church, Bish- world is deep in prayers to over- said. ligious leaders came together for a Naduvil Madom conducted the op Joseph Kariyil of Latin Catho- come this calamity. Through this Cardinal George Alencherry said joint prayer to overcome the COV- Hindu prayers. lic Church, Joseph Mar Gregorios, prayer we plead that good happens a welcome message and thanked ID-19 pandemic. Representing Islam, Panakkad Trustee of the Jacobite Church, Jo- to everyone and everyone stay to- the religious leaders for coming to- Leaders of almost all Christian Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal, Kan- seph Marthoma Metropolitan, head gether in peace,” said Brahmanand- gether to pray for the world at such denominations, imams, muftis, thapuram A P Abubakkar Musaliar, of the Marthoma Church, Bishop habhooti in the video telecasted at a critical juncture. Hindu scholars, sadhus and sanyasis Chief Imam of Kozhikode Palayam Dharmaraj Rasalam, moderator of 3:30 pm. The 45-minute video was record- were among those who prayed for Juma Masjid Dr Husain Madavoor CSI Church and Dr Mar Aprem, Chief Imam of Kozhikode Pa- ed at various locations in the state, the world. and V P Suhaib Maulavi, Imam of Metropolitan of the East Syrian layam Juma Masjid Dr Husain Ma- edited, compiled and aired through Swami Chithanandapuri, head of Palayam Thiruvanathapuram, con- Church, Thrissur were the leaders davoor in the video said that prayer the YouTube channels of various Advaithasram Kozhikode, Swami ducted the prayers. of the Christian denominations that was not the only responsibility of religious institutions and TV chan- Sadbhavanandha, head of Sri Ram- Mar George Cardinal Alencherry, joined in the prayers. the faithful. “Pray well and at the nels. The religious leaders had ear- akrishna Mutt, Puranattukara, Swa- Major Archbishop of the Syro Mal- Sreemadh Vasudevananda Brah- same time, search for good treat- lier given a call to observe May 10 mi Vishaalananda of Sivagiri Mutt, abar Church, Cardinal Baselios Mar manandhabhooti chanted Loka Sa- ment. We should understand and as a Prayer day. — Matters India Coronavirus: Washington and Beijing at risk of armed conflict ROME: The propaganda war be- Beijing claims much of the South world. It would also likely provoke tween China and the United States China Sea, where it occupied islands a military response by the United over the origin and spread of the cor- and coral reefs, building a large num- States. onavirus, with Washington blaming ber of military installations. Several In the past month, US planes and Beijing for the pandemic, is acquiring countries in Southeast Asia, backed warships have stepped up their pres- more and more a geopolitical dimen- by Washington, are opposed to Chi- ence in the Asia-Pacific region, con- sion. na’s actions in the area. ducting joint operations with their According to a Chinese intel- China has also challenged Japan’s Australian and Japanese counterparts. ligence paper, the pandemic crisis claims over the Senkaku Islands in “If our adversaries think this is has undermined relations between the East China Sea – Tokyo is a key our moment of weakness, they are the two powers to such an extent that US ally – and has not ruled out using dangerously wrong,” said David L. China and the United States are at risk force to recover Taiwan, which it con- Norquist, US Deputy Secretary of of armed conflict. siders a “rebel’ province. Defence, on April 9. For China’s intelligence commu- China’s Navy, together with its The Pentagon has asked for US$ nity, the anti-Chinese sentiment in the Coast Guard and armed militias on 20 billion to boost its military stand- world – fuelled by the Americans – fishing vessels, operates regularly in ing in the western Pacific, to meet has been at its highest level since the contested waters, forcing the naval China’s gradual rearmament. 1989 Tiananmen massacre, and this forces of Vietnam, Indonesia, Malay- Between now and 2026, Washing- puts the country’s strategic and trade sia and the Philippines to respond. Navy personnel of China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) take part ton wants to boost and diversify the interests at risk. Recently, the Chinese aircraft car- in a military display in the South China Sea, April 12, 2018. (Asianews photo) firepower of its forces in the region US authorities have not confirmed rier Liaoning, escorted by other mili- armed forces in all three theatres of military leaders note, an attack against in order to block Chinese naval and the existence of the confidential -re tary vessels, sailed between Japan and operation – i.e. the China seas and the the island would be very expensive, air activities within the “first island port. The Trump administration con- Taiwan into the South China Sea. Taiwan Strait. in both political and economic terms. chain”, a line that nationally con- tinues to repeat, however, that China Some observers inside and outside Meanwhile, nationalist circles in At present, China is struggling to nects the south of Japan to the island is exploiting the pandemic to pursue China are persuaded that the United China are pushing for an invasion recover after the lockdown. Any ac- of Papua, and includes Taiwan and its military and strategic interests in States, hardest hit by the coronavirus, of Taiwan. The scenario is unlikely tion against Taiwan would only wors- the Philippines. — By Emanuele East and Southeast Asia. would be unable to oppose China’s to unfold for now. As some Chinese en anti-Beijing feelings around the Scimia, AsiaNews HERALD May 10, 2020 Children 15 LittleLittle CCatholicsatholics’ CCornerorner Jesus answered, “I am the Way, and the Truth and the life. Dear children, always with the Fa- we talk with them a ther in Heaven, so lot. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 4: 6) In today's Gospel the closer we are to Children, Jesus reading Jesus tells Jesus the closer we likes to talk with you. the disciples that He are to Heaven! Let us pray earnestly is the way to the Fa- How can we be to God because He is ther in Heaven. Je- close to Jesus? We the Way, the Truth sus is the way for us can be close to Jesus and the Life (John to go to Heaven. by praying! Praying 14: 6). But how can a per- is talking with God. son be a way to get When we want to be Love somewhere? Jesus is friends with someone, Aunty Eliz

Mother's Day Special

Have you hugged your mother today? Well, if you haven't already, make sure you do it before the day is over because this is a very special day. It is Mother's Day! I'm sure all of you al- ready knew that. God made a prom- ise to the children who love and honor their mother and fa- ther. The Bible says, "Honour your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. (Exodus 20:12) Auntie has prepared two activities for you to do on Mother's Day. One is a picture for you to colour and the other one is bookmark for you to give to your lovely mother. HERALD

Social BEC Communication (1976) (1996)

Dialogue Formation (1976) (1976) INTEGRAL EVANGELISATION Poor Unity (1976) (1976)

Family (1996) Youth (1986) YYOOUTHUTH May 10, 2020 Italian teen who died in 2009 declared ‘venerable’ by Pope Francis ATICAN: Pope Francis repeat that “we must live every day as if on Wednesday, May 6 ad- it were the last, but not in the sadness of When you feel that you death, but rather in the joy of being ready vanced the sainthood caus- to meet the Lord!” V can’t do it, when the world es of five men and women, includ- falls on you, when every Farina died surrounded by his friends ing an Italian teenager who died of and family on April 24, 2009. choice is a critical decision, a brain tumour in 2009, declaring Francesca Consolini, the postulator when every action is a of Farina’s cause, wrote on a website them “venerable.” dedicated to the young venerable that After a May 5 meeting with Cardinal An- failure ... and you would like in him emerged “a deep inner commit- gelo Becciu, the prefect of the Congregation to throw everything away, ment oriented toward purifying his heart for the Causes of Saints, the Pope approved when intense work reduces from every sin” and he experienced this the heroic virtue of Italian priests Francesco spirituality “not with heaviness, effort or Caruso (1879-1951) and Carmelo De Palma you to the limit of strength pessimism; indeed, from his words there (1876-1961), as well as the Spanish Redemp- ... take time to take care of emerges constant trust in God, a tena- torist priest Francisco Barrecheguren Monta- your soul, love God with cious, determined and serene gaze turned gut (1881-1957). to the future...” The fifth sainthood cause to move a step to- your whole being and reflect Farina often thought about the faith and ward canonisation was that of Italian teenager his love for others the “difficulty of going against the- cur Matteo Farina, who lived from 1990 to 2009. rent.” Concerned about a lack of good Farina grew up in a strong Christian family faith education for young people, he un- in the southern Italian town of Brindisi. He among young people, speaking to them dertook this task among his own peers. was very close to his sister, Erika. about God (illuminated by God himself); When he was 15, he reflected on friendship, He once wrote in his journal: “When The parish where he received the sacra- I observe those around me, to enter among saying “I would like to be able to integrate you feel that you can’t do it, when the world ments was under the care of Capuchin friars, them as silent as a virus and infect them with with my peers without being forced to imitate falls on you, when every choice is a critical from whom he gained a devotion to St Fran- an incurable disease, Love!” them in mistakes. I would like to feel more decision, when every action is a failure ... and cis and St Padre Pio. In September 2003, a month before his involved in the group, without having to re- you would like to throw everything away, The postulator of Farina’s cause for saint- 13th birthday, Farina began to have symp- nounce my Christian principles. It’s difficult. when intense work reduces you to the limit hood said that from a young age Farina had toms of what would later be diagnosed as a Difficult but not impossible.” of strength ... take time to take care of your the desire to learn new things, always under- brain tumour. As he was undergoing medical Eventually, the teenager’s condition wors- soul, love God with your whole being and taking his activities with diligence, whether it tests, he began to keep a journal. He called ened and after a third surgery he became para- reflect his love for others.” — By Hannah was school or sports or his passion for music. the experience of the bad headaches and pain lysed in his left arm and leg. He would often Brockhaus, CNA Starting at eight years old, he would receive “one of those adventures that change your life the sacrament of reconciliation often. He was and that of others. It helps you to be stronger also devoted to the Word of God. At nine and to grow, above all in faith.” years old, he read the entire Gospel of St Mat- Over the next six years, Farina would ex- thew as a Lenten practice. Farina also prayed perience several brain operations and undergo the rosary every day. chemotherapy and other treatments for the tu- When he was nine years old, he had a mour. dream in which he heard St Padre Pio tell him His love for Mary strengthened during this that if he understood that “who is without sin time and he consecrated himself to the Im- is happy,” he must help others to understand maculate Heart of Mary. this, “so that we can all go together, happy, to In between hospitalisations, he continued the kingdom of heaven.” to live the ordinary life of a teenager: he at- From that point onward, Farina felt a strong tended school, hung out with his friends, desire to evangelise, especially among his formed a band, and fell in love with a girl. peers, which he did politely and without pre- He later called the chaste relationship he sumption. had with Serena during his last two years of He once wrote about this desire, saying “I life “the most beautiful gift” the Lord could hope to succeed in my mission to ‘infiltrate’ give him. File pix of Matteo Farina who has been declared venerable by Pope Francis. (matteofarina.com) HERALD May 10, 2020 Youth 17 Young Vietnamese Catholics live their faith by feeding the hungry HO CHI MINH: Marie Le Tran Thuy Vi and vegetables, soup, meat or fish and one bottle her friends prepare, cook and pack food into of water, costing 20,000 dong. boxes at Phu Trung Church. They don face “The pandemic provides a good opportu- masks, mount their motorbikes and carry nity for local Catholics to work together and boxes of food to hand out to poor people to serve the poor in the hard time,” he said. waiting for meals on the sidewalks in down- Joaquin Tran Hung Hai Du, who works in town Ho Chi Minh City. the food trade, said his home parish of Xom “We bring you food for dinner,” Vi says Chieu daily provides two tonnes of rice to with a smile as she offers a box of food to a poor people. The parish is home to many homeless woman. people who do manual work for a living and Her group with 10 youths hand out 150- are hit hard by the coronavirus. 175 servings within 45 minutes each night. Each recipient gets two kilogrammes of Recipients include homeless people, lottery rice, eggs, sugar, milk, vegetables and other ticket sellers, guards, motorbike taxi drivers things supplied by benefactors. His group and street cleaners. also offers 1,200 vegetarian rations to peo- “We are very happy to serve free dinners ple on the streets each day. to people in need and help them overcome “They feel love, dignity and respect from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the graduate in Marie Le Tran Thuy Vi offers food to Doan Quang Ti in his wheelchair in Ho Chi Minh City on the parish. Serving other people is our joy. pedagogy said. “We are grateful to them April 29, 2020. (UCA News photo) We are happy to journey with them in this as God sends them to us so that we can do Another happy recipient, Ho Thanh Chi, a Marian grotto. “I am grateful to the Catho- hard time,” Du said. something helpful for them.” said she and seven other women daily wait lics who have given me material support for Vi said the COVID-19 pandemic is a Vi, 22, said the pandemic is a good chance for food from the group. Chi, who trades in years.” He moved to the city 30 years ago. grave crisis but has also opened young for Catholic youths to live out the spirit of used items for a living, said her family has Fr Martin Tran Dinh Khiem Ai, assistant people’s hearts, inducing them to return to love and charity with concrete work. She ap- no money to buy food as her husband and priest of Phu Trung Parish, said they have core values and to spend more time doing preciates her parish’s food campaign for the son lost their jobs due to the pandemic. They been serving dinners to 400 people on the charitable work and serving the common poor affected by the coronavirus crisis. share a 12-square-meter room and pay 1.5 streets each day since early April. good in line with local bishops’ proposals Mary Tran Thi My received a box of food million dong rent per month. Fr Ai, 42, said many benefactors donate for youths. from Vi with gratitude while sitting by her She asked for two rations for her three- money, rice, meat, vegetables and other Vietnamese bishops have created youth ramshackle bicycle on the pavement. member family. “We have never suffered things to the parish. Parents of catechism ministry programs for the coming three “I have lived on food from them for days such a situation. We hope the pandemic ends students volunteer to prepare dinners from years: journeying with youths towards their and feel a grain of comfort in the pandemic,” soon,” she said. 1pm to 6pm while young Catholics in five holistic maturation, in their family life as said the 57-year-old woman, who has slept Doan Quang Ti, who is paralysed and uses groups transport and offer meals to poor well as their church and social life. on the sidewalk for 15 years. In the past, she a wheelchair, says he is very hungry and will people in the biggest city’s six districts. Vol- “I hope many young people will find val- earned 100,000 dong (US$4.30) by collect- only have this one meal today. Although he unteers finish their work at 10.00pm. ue in life and commit themselves to build- ing used items. is a Buddhist, he regularly prays in front of The priest said each ration includes rice, ing a better society,” Vi said. — UCA News

In conjunction with “Taking the road less travelled” Vocation Sunday, May 3, After that stay-in, I did my best to ignore bate because all of us come from different here is a sharing from the call and continued working as a Stu- cultures and having different experiences. Bro Michael Dass, dent Affairs Staff at Montfort Youth Centre It is tough, yet I am enjoying it. in Melaka for six years. The formators challenge us because we one of our seminarians I ran away, avoided and ignored the have not lived up to their expectations. call. Many priests asked me about my vo- It is not easy to form a seminarian like cation and I always changed the topic. me. I pity the formators and I am sure they eace and greetings to you dear broth- How I hated that topic! In 2012, Fr David are having a tough time to form me. But Pers and sisters in Christ. took over as Parish Priest. At our very first they have never given up on me. It gives me great joy to share my voca- meeting he asked me about my vocation. I used to hate books and studying yet tion journey with all of you and to express This time I was ready and I began to talk now they are my good friends. What a my sincere thanks for all your continuous to him about my desire. transformation! This is thanks to all those support. Every year, on Good Shepherd In November 2012, Fr Christopher W. at College General Penang and St Peter’s Sunday, I ‘take stock’ of my vocation jour- Soosaipillai, who was the then vocation College in Kuching. ney. This year I have been posted to the director asked me to participate in a vo- When I return home for the holidays, Church of St Ignatius, Kelana Jaya for cation discernment retreat in Lenggeng, my parish community always supports three months of pastoral exposure. Negeri Sembilan. During that retreat, I me and my parish priest, Fr Peter Antho- I am currently studying my fourth year had a strong urge to discern and explore ney, always has words of encouragement of theology at St Peter’s College, Kuching this call. Fr Christopher then advised me for me. I will never forget him, as he is (SPC). Even when my father only owned a mo- to choose a Spiritual Director to journey always doing the best for the people by The theme that I reflected on for this torcycle, he made a few trips to ensure with. sharing and giving even if he has a little. year is Vocation – Taking the road less that we could attend Mass every week. Fr Paulino journeyed with me for almost This is one of the reasons why I love the travelled. That was indeed a blessing. a year. During that period Fr David also poor and the needy it’s because of this shared his joy in the priesthood with me. great man who is always alert and aware How the call began How the call developed and I began to reflect and I asked myself, why of the needs of the community. From the age of ten I was involved with grew not me? Shall I try? The process started. I hope my sharing has inspired you. Do the Altar Servers. I am attracted to the The call was very strong even during my In 2014, I joined College General in Pen- reflect on these questions below: chasuble and cassocks worn by priests. days in college and in my working life. I ang. During my secondary days, I began join- had only one serious relationship which ● To all parents: Why don’t you ing in more parish activities. did not work out. encourage and offer at least one of How is it now? your children? That external desire led to an internal My love for the poor and the people Sometimes, I regret entering the semi- desire as I witnessed my former parish was strong. I enjoyed serving in my nary, especially when things are not in ● To all the parish communities: priests the late Fr Philips Muthu, Fr Pauli- parish, the Church of St John Vianney, order and when I feel a spiritual dryness. Are you praying for more vocations? no, Fr Danny Mathews, the late Fr Maria Tampin. I found love in my family, par- However, I have received guidance and ● To my dear young people: Arokiam and Fr David Arulanatham — ish priests and the community. I use to fol- support to overcome these moments. Why don’t you offer yourselves? being with the people, listening, pastor- low the priests to all the six outstations for Who I am today is because of Jesus, ing and shepherding. They were instru- Masses. my immediate family, and my brothers in Do continue to pray for me and all the mental to my call. From 2004 to 2012, I was struggling College General, Penang and St Peter’s seminarians in Malaysia My family was another reason for my to realise this call in me. I participated in College, Kuching. calling. My parents always made sure the stay – in experience at College Gen- It is a challenge to live in a community With Love that we were at church every Sunday. eral, Penang. with 25 young men. We argue and de- Brother Michel Dass s/o Anthony Dass HERALD May 10, 2020 Obituary 23 Jesuit brother Beloved missionary dies passes away He built Sarawak’s first micro-hydroelectric dam PETALING JAYA: MIRI: Pioneering Mill Hill Catholic Brother Anthony missionary Bro Albert Rottensteiner Dass, SJ of the Ma- (pic), who built Sarawak’s first micro- laysia-Singapore hydroelectric dam, has passed away. Region passed away Bro Albert, an Italian missionary on May 5, 2020, in who held a Malaysian permanent resi- Jasper Lodge (Nurs- dent status, died aged 87 in the mission- ing Home). ary retirement home in Brixen, a town He was 57 years in northern Italy on April 29. old, born on March He had served in the Miri Diocese 13, 1963 in Taiping, for 38 years, transforming the lives of Perak. thousands of Orang Ulu natives before From January retiring and returning to Italy in 2000. 1987 to December Orang Ulu National Association 1988, he was a stu- chairman for Sarawak Peter Kallang dent of the Good said the late Bro Albert was a hero to Shepherd Catholic the local natives. Seminary in Melaka. “I last spoke to Bro Albert on April He entered the Jesuit Novitiate in Singapore on 29 with Skype for about ten minutes. Mar 18, 1989 and took his First Vows as a Brother His last parting words were ‘Send my Long San where he served the longest. plined and friendly like Bro Albert,” three years later, on Mar 19, 1991. regards to the people in Long San and When he was here, he built the St Pius said Peter, who had known him for 55 He then studied in the Philippines for three years. also to Bishop Lee (Bishop Emeritus Primary School and St Paul church. He years. Upon his return, he was based at the Church of Anthony Lee Kok Hin)’, and I told him also started a trading complex in Long The micro dam built by Bro Albert the Assumption for two years, helping in the Tamil that Long San is still as lively and vi- San, modernised farming there and in 1979 provides electricity for some Apostolate. brant as before,” said Peter. built and commissioned a micro-hydro 3,000 natives in Long San and its vicin- From 1996 to 2001 he completed his degree in Re- “Several hours later, I received a dam in Long San, the first such micro ity, a remote enclave located six hours ligious Education and Teacher’s Training at Univer- message from a friend that he had col- dam in Sarawak. by timber road from Miri. sitas Sanata Dharma, Indonesia. lapsed and died after a meal.” He also constructed the Long San Peter, who is Save Sarawak’s Rivers After his graduation in July 2001, he was assigned Bro Albert was born in 1933 and clinic. chairman, said Bro Albert had drawn to work at the English Language Institute and Jesuit came to Sarawak in 1963. He taught modern agriculture meth- strength from his faith in God. Novitiate in Taungyi, Myanmar. After several years, By the time he returned to Italy in ods, commerce, technical skills in car- He dedicated himself in sincere ser- he was sent to India to study Tamil language and sub- 2000, he was holding a Malaysian pentry and electrical wiring to local vice to God with the other Mill Hill sequently did his tertianship in Sri Lanka. permanent resident status, recognition natives and turned around the lives of missionaries who brought education Upon his return, he worked in the Catechetical from the government for his role in thousands of poor natives. and Christianity to this state, said Peter. Commission of the Diocese of Melaka-Johor where transforming the native communities in “I have never met anyone so inno- — The Star/Agencies he conducted catechetical training programme for the Miri Diocese, especially in Marudi and vative, hardworking, prayerful, disci- laity. He was also involved in the Migrant Ministry. He then continued his studies at Ateneo de Davao Thanksgiving where he obtained a Master’s degree in Religious Studies and Theology. While there, he was involved Casket Paradise Prayers in the campus ministry in Ateneo de Davao. Thanksgiving to He suffered a stroke on Aug 19, 2016, in Malay- & Funeral Care Sdn. Bhd.(311899-W) sia which affected his right brain. More than a year St Pio later, on Dec 9, 2017 he had a second stroke in Sin- I thank you St Pio for the gapore which affected his left brain. He was admitted abundant blessings, graces PERSONAL ATTENTION AT ALL TIMES at National University Hospital (NUH), Singapore. A and protection bestowed couple months later, he was transferred to University upon my family and me * Specialised In Christian Funerals of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, during the course of my life. * Exclusive Handmade And Polished Wooden Casket Malaysia. * Restoration And Cosmetology These graces and blessings On Apr 19, 2018, he was transferred from UMMC * British Trained & Qualified MBIE Embalming Service (Only One In were received through your to Jasper Lodge (Nursing Home), Petaling Jaya and intercession to Our Lord Jesus Malaysia) passed away there on May 5, 2020. Christ. St Pio, you were my * Member Of The European Association Of Embalmers The funeral service was on Thursday, May 7. Due guardian and light during the * Private Chapel Of Rest And Coldroom Facilities to MCO restrictions, the wake, funeral service and * Economical, Budget Planned & 24 hrs Service darkest moments of my life. I am eternally grateful. burial will be conducted privately among immediate All honour and Glory to family members and the Jesuit community. Our Lord Jesus Christ forever. His Grace Most Reverend Julian Leow, the Arch- Amen. bishop of Kuala Lumpur and the clergy of the Arch- 19B, Jalan Lapangan Terbang Lama, diocese extends condolences to the family of the late TEL: 03-2148 5776, 2148 4855 50460 Kuala Lumpur. — M. M. Chandapillai (Alex). Born: 28.7.1928. Bro Anthony Dass, SJ and the Jesuit community in FAX: 03-2143 1442 H/P: 012-333 4899 / 012-333 4646 / 019-777 5537 Returned to the Lord: this time of loss and are united with them in prayer 11.3.2009 and support. Evangelisation: For Deacons We pray that deacons, faithful in their service to the Word and the poor, may be an invigorating symbol for the entire Church.

Download the Click To Pray updates now. THE CATHOLIC WEEKLY May 10, 2020 Open our eyes to discover displaced persons VATICAN: The “fundamental orientation” id doctrine to their situation”, asking the of the Vatican’s new Pastoral Orientations question, “When we discover these people, on Internally Displaced Persons “is to open what can we do for them?” Cardinal Cz- our eyes and discover the displaced peo- erny gave the answer: “We can welcome ple nearby and far away”, says Cardinal them, protect them, promote them, and in- Michael Czerny, SJ, Under-secretary at tegrate them”. the Migrants and Refugees Section of the Asked about what Catholics can do con- Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human cretely to help internally displaced per- Development. sons, Cardinal Czerny said, “The best thing Following the presentation of the new would be to get in touch with someone in Pastoral Orientations on, Cardinal Czerny the Church who’s working with migrants said that the first pastoral response to- in and refugees. Often the word ‘displaced’ ternally displaced persons (IDPs) is to “see is not in their title, but that’s included im- those, until now, have been invisible”. Be- plicitly”. He said that raising the issue of cause of the unique situation of internally displaced persons in the local churches will displaced persons – people who have been lead to responses as to how best to address uprooted and forced to leave their homes Street vendor Marisol Maradiaga, who is living on the street after being unable to continue paying the particular circumstances in each situa- but have not crossed international borders her rent, plays with her children in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, April 23, 2020, during the COVID-19 tion. – it is easy for them to be ignored or over- pandemic. (CNS photo/Jorge Cabrera, Reuters) When we do that, Cardinal Czerny said, looked. Sometimes, internally displaced Cardinal Czerny said it is important for we might not take their problems so seri- “people will be surprised to discover the people are clustered together and might the Church “to recognise them, reach out to ously. But in fact, they are in great need.” IDPs among them, but will also be sur- look like refugees. “Others have disap- them, and meet their needs … remember- In preparing the new Pastoral Orienta- prised to discover how the Church is trying peared into the cities” and are “practically ing always that these are also citizens of the tions, the Migrants and Refugees Section already to respond and how they can help”. invisible to their neighbours”. same country that we’re in and therefore then “applied the Holy Father’s very sol- — Vatican News Asian bishops postpone general conference due to COVID-19 BANGKOK: The Federation of Asian Bish- FABC planning and regional meetings via ops’ Conferences (FABC) has postponed its video conferencing due to the constraints general conference slated for November on travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. due to uncertainty over the COVID-19 situ- “At the moment the situation is volatile, ation. and we do not know what the morrow will The conference was due to be held in bring,” they said. Baan Phu Waan, Thailand, from Nov. 3-20. But the leaders expressed hope that “they No new date has yet been decided. may be able to project when things could The federation’s central committee and limp back to normal and then be able to take offices meetings scheduled for June have a definite decision.” also been postponed. This year marks the 50th anniversary of “Despite the fact that most of the coun- the establishment of the FABC, which was tries of the member conferences are under established in 1970 with the approval of the lockdown, they feel a great sense of bond- Holy See as a federation of 19 bishops’ con- ing during this dark moment in the history ferences and eight associate members from Pope Francis meeting Thai and FABC member bishops in Bangkok, Thailand Nov 22, 2019. (Vatican Media) of the modern world,” FABC leaders said South, Southeast, East and Central Asia. ready to welcome “a future that you your- peace through dialogue on tackling poverty, in a letter. It aims to foster solidarity and co-respon- selves must help develop and create.” protecting cultures and promoting inter-re- Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon, president sibility among members for the welfare of “In this way, both the Church and soci- ligious harmony.” of the FABC, and Cardinal Oswald Gracias the Church and the peoples of Asia. ety in Asia will benefit from a renewed and In early April, Cardinal Bo strongly con- of Bombay, the convenor of the general During Pope Francis’ meeting with Asian shared evangelical outreach,” he told the demned the Chinese Communist Party’s conference this year, signed the letter. bishops on his visit to Thailand last No- gathering. negligence and repression as poor countries “It is in moments like these that we expe- vember, the pontiff said marking the 50th Cardinal Bo, who became FABC presi- were suffering from the coronavirus. rience a greater dependence of God and our anniversary of the FABC in 2020 would be dent on Jan 1, 2019, has prioritised peace, “The Chinese regime led by the all-pow- faith is strengthened. All of us will rise out “a fitting occasion to revisit those shrines justice, reconciliation and indigenous rights erful Xi Jinping and the CCP — not its peo- of this crisis with a deeper sense of religios- where the missionary roots that left their in planning for the Asian Church. ple — owes us all an apology and compen- ity,” the prelates said. mark on these lands are preserved.” The 72-year-old cardinal said there was sation for the destruction it has caused,” he Cardinals Bo and Gracias said they held The Pope said the bishops should be a need for the Church in Asia “to pursue said. — ucanews.com Fatima confirms no pilgrims for May 13 feastday celebrations DENVER: For the first time in over a cen- authorities, the May 12 and 13 celebrations laboration with the competent civil authori- tury, the annual May 13 celebrations at the for this year cannot have the physical pres- ties, the guidelines for these celebrations to Fatima shrine will take place without the ence of the pilgrims and will be transmitted be held with a symbolic presence of partici- physical presence of pilgrims, the bishop of by broadcast and digital media,” he contin- pants,” Marto said. Fatima confirmed this week. ued. The shrine’s website offers four steps to Cardinal Antonio Marto said in a May 3 The cardinal explained that hosting “an guide people on this interior pilgrimage. statement that the celebrations for the Feast unpredictable multitude of people” gather- According to the website, “the celebrations of Our Lady of Fatima “will take place as ing at a time when the coronavirus pandemic of May 12 and 13 will maintain the usual was announced April 6, without the physi- is still a serious threat would go against the schedule with recitation of the Rosary at 9:30 cal presence of pilgrims, in the name of pru- efforts of health authorities to gradually lift p.m. followed by the Candlelight Procession. dence to avoid the risk of spreading the novel restrictions imposed to slow the spread of the On the 13th the Rosary will be prayed at 9:00 coronavirus.” virus. a.m. followed by the International Mass and “As planned in conjunction with the civil “We therefore respect, in an attitude of col- the Farewell Procession.” — CNA