KUCHING: It was a quiet and calm day at the St Thomas Cathedral Kuching yesterday as most of its parishioners turned to Facebook for their Sunday Mass that was broadcast live.
There were fewer than 50 people at the 8.15am English Mass compared to thousands participating or watching on Facebook.
The live broadcast was necessary due to the temporary suspension of gatherings in church effective from yesterday until April 1 to prevent further spread of Covid-19.
Also, as a precaution, the church wardens scanned the body temperatures of church goers and dispensed hand sanitisers before they entered the church.
The Mass went as usual but the sacrament was placed in the hands of the parishioners by hand instead of being inserted directly into their mouths.
Anglican Bishop of Kuching (Sarawak and Brunei) Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute in his message during the Mass, said as the world was facing a crisis everyone should pray that the virus would stop spreading.
“As we care about your health and safety … we have taken the drastic step of suspending the gathering of God’s people in large numbers,” he said.
He said the decision was taken in full consultation with the heads of other churches and medical professionals.
“I therefore encourage you to continue in worship wherever you are; spend time with families; read the Bible, and pray.
“Pray for those affected and medical professionals who are putting themselves at risk. Pray for those in authority that they may be able to make the right decisions in overcoming this crisis. Pray for yourselves and pray for one another,” he said.
He also urged the parishioners to observe the best hygiene protocol as advised by the Health Ministry.
“Let us remind ourselves that this virus is no respecter of any human person. It doesn’t respect national boundaries, ethics differences, religious beliefs or political affiliations. In suffering and in pain we are equal; we are all the same; we are to take care for one another,” he said.
When met by reporters after the mass, Bishop Danald said he understood that people want to attend mass but he was also pleased that they did not go to church during this troubled time.
When asked if Easter Day would be affected, he said all churches would need to wait for further advisory from the Health Ministry and would decide from there.
“There is Palm Sunday, Good Friday and then Easter Sunday where we expect large gatherings of people. We will monitor the situation because I really do not know what is going to happen beyond April 1,” he said.
Church choir member Griffith Jones Goba said the preventive measures taken by the church was necessary to minimise close contact between the parishioners.
“That being the case, the initiative to live-stream the service was an excellent approach as it enabled worshippers to participate online,” he said.
Another choir member, Stanley David, said the Anglican church was taking precautions at all costs but seeing the cathedral with so few people was disheartening.
“Nevertheless, the discipline shown by our congregation has been exemplary as they refrained from worshipping together in great numbers,” he said.
