KUCHING: This year’s Holy Week will be different – for the first time, the church congregation will not be in the premises due to the movement control order (MCO) to contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
Association of Churches in Sarawak (ACS) chairman Archbishop Simon Poh said he was thankful for technology as churches could stream the mass live during Holy Week – Palm Sunday (April 5), Holy Thursday (April 9), Good Friday (April 10), Easter Vigil (April 11) and Easter Sunday (April 12).
“With the MCO and social distancing, I encourage all Christian churches in Sarawak to seek God’s intervention, as we pray, intercede and worship the Lord in our respective homes.
“On Easter Vigil night, we will wait and pray at the tomb of Jesus’ resurrection. On Easter Sunday, may the Risen Lord offer new life and hope in the face of challenges caused by Covid-19,” he said in a statement yesterday.
Archbishop Poh, who is also the Catholic Archbishop of Kuching, urged churches to share resources of e-materials of prayers or podcasts to those especially in the villages and longhouses that have weak Internet connection.
“These can first be downloaded even over slower Internet connection and can later be replayed during Holy Week for the families. Above all, may our hearts be with our Christian families living in the interior who do not have Internet access.
“Due to the MCO, we will not be able to travel nor reach them with printed materials. I pray that the Holy Week prayer books that have been translated, printed Bibles and audible Bibles that have been distributed will bless them,” he said.
He said during the days of the MCO coinciding with Holy Week, he asked that as Christians and responsible citizens to take seriously their moral duty and spiritual commitment before God and society.
“Let us stay at home and pray, practice social distancing and maintain hygiene and proper hand washing. “Let us pray that this whole Holy Week of prayer will bring healing and life to our land, our nation Malaysia and all the countries throughout the world,” Archbishop Poh said.
