Catholic churches to remain open with full compliance to health protocols

 

Roman Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur will remain open as long as it is safe to do so. - NSTP file pic

KUALA LUMPUR: Roman Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur will remain open as long as it is safe to do so.

Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur Chancellor Reverend Father Michael Chua said in a notice today that Catholic Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Most Reverend Julian Leow Being Kim had decided to keep the churches open, while seeking the full cooperation of all parishes and the faithful to fully comply with the National Security Council's standard operating procedures and other public health protocols.

"We recognise that our churches, chapels and Mass centres are not immune from Covid-19, which continues to plague our community," Father Chua said.

"Since reopening, several churches have witnessed the emergence of sporadic cases of infection. As you are aware, the public health authorities have already predicted another surge in the weeks to come."

Today, the NST reported positive cases of Covid-19 at three parishes in the archdiocese.

The diocesan territory for Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur covers four states including Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu and two federal territories which include Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

After a year of disruption and suspension of public masses, Archbishop Leow, in consultation with the medical members of the Archdiocesan Crisis Management Task Force, had allowed public masses and the celebration of other sacraments and liturgical services to be resumed throughout the archdiocese.

"With the resumption of masses, our parishes were able to celebrate the Holy Week and Paschal Triduum liturgies in person," said Father Chua.

"As much as this has been a welcomed grace-filled moment, we recognise that our churches, chapels and Mass centres are not immune from Covid-19 which continues to plague our community."

Father Chua noted that Archbishop Leow understood that the Mass is the "source and summit of Christian life" and that the sacraments are channels of sanctifying grace which are most crucial to the spiritual nourishment of the faithful, and had decided to keep the churches opened as long as it is safe to do so.

"His Grace (Leow), therefore, seeks the full cooperation of all parishes and the faithful to fully comply with the security council's SOPs, Archdiocesan Guidelines for Celebrating Sacraments and Chancery Updates on public health protocols.

"Full compliance with the public health protocols," Father Chua added, "are necessary to ensure that our churches remain opened and safe spaces for worship and gathering.

"With the emergence of sporadic positive cases in our churches in the last few weeks, His Grace would like to reiterate compliance with existing public health protocols and additional protocols to prevent the spread of infection within our communities.

The additional protocols from the archdiocese, included minimising congregational singing, ensuring that spaces for gatherings and worship are well-ventilated, the continued usage of the MySejahtera app when checking in and the right of the parish to turn way individuals whose scans display that they are "High Risk" (red) category.

"All the faithful are to be both honest and charitable to consider their own health – both their potential to infect others and their susceptibility to infection.

"Parishioners or clergy who feel unwell or have flu-like symptoms should excuse themselves from attending Mass.

"Let us continue to do our part to ensure that our churches, chapels and Mass centres are safe environments for public worship as we pray for an end to this pandemic," Father Chua added. - NST