Regional Liturgy Commission meets in Kuala Lumpur

The 20th meeting of the Episcopal Regional Liturgy Commission (ERLC) of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei was hosted by the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese April 30 – May 4. All but three of the 11 dioceses of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of this region were represented at this meeting with Miri, Kuching and Keningau arch/dioceses extending their apologies.

Once again, the translation works on the Roman Missal, Order of Christian Funeral (OCF), Order of Celebrating Matrimony (OCM), Rite of Confirmation and the status of the Revised Sing Your Praise to God (SYPG) Hymnal were discussed. Fr David Garaman of Sandakan reported that the Bahasa translation of OCF and OCM has been completed. The Tamil translation of the OCM and the Sunday Missal is also completed.

Spencer Klumai of Kuala Lumpur reported on the availability of a Bahasa Malaysia version of the Protestant Bible, Alkitab Versi Borneo. Bishop Sebastian Francis, who is the President of the commission, explained that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei has given Bishop Richard Ng from Miri the mandate on this project. Bishop Ng has a team working with the Protestant group to translate the remaining seven books of the Old Testament (deuterocanonicals) that are missing from the Protestant bible.

The Revised Rite of Confirmation in English is in the midst of proofreading before being sent to the printers. The ERLC proposed that the region start using the Revised Rite of Confirmation beginning from the 1st Sunday of Advent 2018.

The review of the new SYPG Hymnal basically completed and only pending the copyright licences for the hymns. It has been difficult locating the copyright holders. Msgr Leonard Lexson, who heads the committee looking into the SYPG renewal, proposed uploading the list of approved hymns on the ERLC website with links for parishes to buy the songs on their own from the copyright holders. Catechesis on sacred music will be done in order that appropriate hymns are used during the celebration of the Mass.

Dr Steven Selvaraju, the Director of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute who has a doctorate in Catechetics, was invited to give his input on the RCIA. He spoke on the RCIA process as a spiritual journey, rather than a programme. Most of the time, we have set schedules that everyone goes through together even though some may not be fully ready to move onto the next step of their journey. The goal of RCIA is not just about the reception of the sacraments of initiation but maturity of faith and conversion.

Often, everyone is lumped together (those for confirmation, those from other denominations, etc.) with those who are searching for their faith, without consideration on the people’s conversion of heart and nurturing of their faith.

The dioceses also presented their diocesan reports and issues relating to liturgy. Guidelines for celebrating the new Memorial to Our Lady, Mother of the Church, and for celebrating School Masses, were distributed.

Archbishop Julian Leow hosted the Welcome Dinner on Monday, April 30 at Berjaya Hotel.

On the second day, the ERLC members witnessed the triple sacerdotal ordination of Fr Xavier Andrew, Fr Simon Lau and Fr Dominic Tan at the Church of the Holy Family in Kajang.

In the evening, they were invited by His Excellency, Archbishop Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio, to Vespers and dinner at the Apostolic Nunciature (Vatican Embassy).

On the fourth day, the ELRC members visited several places of interest: the Sungai Buloh Chapel, the Leprosy Centre, the Welcome Home Community and the Church of St. Jude.

The next ELRC meeting will be held in Keningau from May 6 — 10, 2019.

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online