KUCHING – Bishop of the Anglican diocese of Kuching and Brunei Rt Rev Datuk Danald Jute and Catholic Archbishop of the diocese of Kuching Rt Rev Simon Poh have called on their flock to be ever-resilient in carrying out the Church’s mission to love and serve mankind amid the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges that come with living in the new normal.
Both prelates, in their Easter message, expressed a closely related common thought that the Church and its mission “do not cease to exist” just because the people of God are not able to come together physically to worship, celebrate the sacraments, and carry out their pastoral missions of charity due to movement and other restrictions aimed at curbing the virus.
Speaking to The Vibes, Danald said the Church is not a building, but an assembly of God’s people.
The term “church” comes from the Greek word “ekklesia”, which means a gathering of God’s people, he said.
“Thankfully, modern digital technology and social media allow us to continue to come together virtually. So, it is still possible to be ‘ever present’ as Church during physical lockdowns and when the authorities deem it fit to restrict human movement and activities.
“It does not matter in what way we come together, physically or virtually. We can be ever present as Church.
We can worship and hold meetings, even train, teach and heal. It is not a perfect alternative, but it is helpful in keeping the Church present to the human situation and circumstances.”
He said gathering, meeting, being in fellowship with each other, and being in each other’s presence are all an essential part of being Church, but the pandemic has forced people to be apart from one another.
The Church itself has taken the lead in encouraging members to isolate and adhere to advisories by the authorities and medical experts.
“Like everyone else, I do miss the gatherings, seeing others face to face, shaking hands as we share the peace of Christ, sharing the Cup of Salvation (Holy Communion), blessing and sending away people at the end of a church service in a tangible way,” said Danald.
“More so during this Holy Week season, a time when churches are filled with members for the various services, most of which involve a greater deal of interaction and participation, such as Palm Sunday, and the Stations of the Cross on Good Friday and on Easter, which are usually celebrated with joyful singing and processions and parties for children. I miss all these.
While we are still active as Church, we are sadly separated. But let me reiterate: we don’t cease to be Church, even in the most trying of times.”
He said the Church is engaged, active and worshipping together, even if online, and still caring for one another and all of humanity.
“We have used the many opportunities that came to us to bless the poor and needy, and carry out works of charity, and we are able to do all these because God has blessed us with the right tools to deal with the events of the times.
“So, let us continue to be present as Church in whatever circumstances we find ourselves, as to be Church is to be alive to the world in every challenging situation.”
‘You are not alone, Church has not ceased’
Poh said the Church is ever present, and its role has not diminished in these hard times, when the clergy and its flock are separated from one another.
Churches may not be operating in the usual way, especially during the Holy Week season, but he is grateful that the Unit for Other Religions in the Chief Minister’s Office (Unifor) has given special concessions to Catholic churches in red and orange zones to be opened for the Holy Week services of Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday, as well as Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
“This is so that during our most Holy Week, churches are not shut, and prayers may be offered from our churches in this time of the pandemic, during this special season. Although only 20 people are allowed to attend services, they will represent the rest of us who are unable to attend physically, and the services will be recorded online and livestreamed via digital media.
“In this way, the Church is ever present to you, and I invite the faithful to come together online and be present to one another as Church. Do not be passive viewers, but pray actively at every service, even the regular Sunday service, to have that sense of belonging to the ever-present Church at all times.
You may be with your own family in your own house, but know that you are not alone when you pray online. Thousands of Catholics will be praying in solidarity with you.
“So, during this time when physical attendance is not possible, let us be in solidarity and in spirit to pray together as one family of Church calling upon the same God, who is our Father who listens earnestly to us, who are his beloved children.”
Feeling ‘incomplete’ when missing services
“This year is the second year for me and everyone else in Sarawak to miss the Holy Week celebrations, without being physically present in church. I can really feel something incomplete and unfulfilled,” said St James Anglican Church soprano singer Sally Brown.
Sally who hails from Kg Quop, said she would sing with her choir members annually.
“We normally prepare well by practising the hymns and anthems related to the epic Holy Week events.
“The events, beginning from Palm Sunday to Maundy Thursday to Good Friday, lend a deep-seated meaningful experience to me, not to mention the Friday Stations of the Cross, which are faith-enhancing experiences.”
The early childhood educator said the continued celebrations of Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday, when she and her choir would sing the Glorias and praise songs, are special moments that she dearly misses.
“Being present in church on the night of Easter is a lot more special than watching the service from home via livestream.
“Celebrating the colourful liturgical service with my family and singing the songs of Alleluia with my choir members in church is always a redefining experience of my faith.”
It is unfortunate that not only the Christian community, but people of all faiths, have been denied the opportunity to participate in religious practices and rituals at their houses of worship due to the pandemic.
Until Covid-19 infections cease to be, and the pandemic is eliminated, Sally and her compatriots may take consolation in Danald’s exhortation that there is another way of “being present” as Church in the new normal. – The Vibes, April 4, 2021
