Category Archives: Sept 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim officially blessed and opened the Stella Maris International School (SMIS) on August 15, the feastday of the Assumption of Our Lady. SMIS is today accredited with Cambridge International Examinations for both ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels and is recognised as an IB World School, qualified to offer and run the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

The day began with the Eucharistic celebration, at two locations in order to accommodate all who were present — the school chapel and the Soter Auditorium. This was followed by the blessing of the newly completed Sports Centre before all guests adjourned to the school’s forecourt to be greeted by a parade of uniformed units.

The beating of drums accompanied the Archbishop as he made his way to cut the ribbon and sign the plaque declaring the school officially opened. Guests were then taken on a guided tour of the various facilities in the school before being ushered into the Auditorium for presentations by students and faculty members.

In welcoming the guests, BGen (Rtd) Dato’ Richard Robless, Chairman of Yayasan Tan Sri Dominic Vendargon and the

Board of Governors, thanked all who had participated and provided support in the design, building and equipping of the school and those who had contributed in shaping, developing and preparing the curriculum.

With the introduction of the international Year 1 next year, SMIS will be fully operational in both the IGCSE primary and secondary tiers. Elaborating on the journey travelled, he acknowledged that from the start, the main challenge had been to develop options in wholesome and balanced education that would meet standards of quality and fulfil the expectations of families from various backgrounds and categories of income with different perspectives of choice.

The aim, he said, “had always been to provide such options as affordablility and, reaching out to as many as possible.”

As a Malaysian school, he stressed on the importance of including Malaysian History and promoting fluency in both English and Bahasa Malaysia, with a third language as well for those so inclined. Developing students to enable them to achieve the maximum of their potential was the main objective of the Stella Maris schools, with its vision being the formation of persons who would “serve as morally upright and model citizens of our nation of diverse cultures” and, “contribute towards the betterment of their families, society and the greater good of humankind.”

Archbishop Leow expressed his gratitude to all those who had contributed in making this dream possible and for making the school happen. The Catholic Church has contributed greatly to developments in education and in doing so, has always emphasised that education should not be looked at solely from the stance of academic excellence. “Holistic education and the healthy and balanced growth of our students are our major aims,” he stressed, as intellectual capacity alone is inadequate and needs to be developed progressively and jointly with spiritual, emotional and physical health. In moving ahead, he also reminded the school to be protective of its students, to be conscious of standards and to remain focused on the expectations of parents so that all stakeholders will reap the benefits of an educational experience in SMIS.

This was followed by performances by the students and faculty members who had taken great pains to make the day an especially memorable occasion. The event was brought to a close with a sumptuous lunch at the school cafeteria.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Sexuality from a Christian/Catholic standpoint forms a deep bonding between two people, according to Fr Gregory Chan, who was the host of a talk on marriage and sexual ethics on August 23 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute.

The talk was aimed at helping lay people understand sexuality and morality. In the discussion, Fr Gregory Chan divided the topics to sexuality and marriage.

Fr Chan stressed that sexuality, as opposed to the viewpoint of the world, goes far beyond a physical act. It forms a deep bond between two people – in which a connection is shared. It is therefore not designed to be casual.

In the Old Testament, the books of Genesis, Song of Songs, Hosea, Ezekiel, Leviticus, Judges, Judith and Tobit contain stories and instances of sexuality from both a worldly and holy standpoint.

In the Gospel according to John, specifically chapters 4, 8 and 12 –though not explicitly – deal with elements of sexuality.

Fr Chan said that Jesus Christ and his teachings emphasise love and relationship and prioritise the value of each person.

He further stressed that human beings should be appreciated, and not used. But it is often the case that human beings are used, and things are appreciated.

Within marriage, sex is viewed not only for procreation but also for the fulfilment of the needs of the husband and wife respectively. Intimacy between partners is essential for the success of the marriage and the happiness of both parties.

The act of sex for procreation is defined as the spouses co-operating with God to bring creation to the world.

When two people become married, it is a total giving of oneself, and it is meant to be unselfish. In other words, the aim of marriage is not to prioritise one party’s needs, but to help one another become a better person.

This unselfish giving of oneself is also demonstrated numerous times in the teachings of Christ in the New Testament, and ultimately of Christ Himself, who gave His own body as a living sacrifice – for the salvation of the world.

Fr Chan stressed that marriage is a sacrament. He quoted from Casti Connubii (1930), an encyclical of Pope Pius XI on Christian marriage and how the husband and wife must come together in mutual submission.

Verse 24 of the Casti Connubii states: “This mutual moulding of husband and wife, this determined effort to perfect each other can, in a very real sense, be said to be the chief reason and purpose of matrimony, provided matrimony is looked at not in the restricted sense as instituted for the proper conception and education of the child, but more widely as the blending of life as a whole and the mutual interchange and sharing thereof.”

As for inter-faith marriages, Fr Chan explained the concept of equal and unequal yoke, as described in the Second Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians. Fr Chan explained that in the context of marriage, being “unequally yoked” is not just confined to being two people with different beliefs. If the mixed marriage takes either spouse closer to God, then it is of “equal yoke.” If the mixed marriage brings either of the spouses further from God, then it is considered to be “unequally yoked.”

Sexuality is not shunned in Christianity. It is in fact embraced as being a natural aspect of attraction between human beings. It should not, however, be used for the immoral pleasuring of oneself, but should remain within the confines of marriage.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

This is an extract of the statement issued on August 29, 2018 by Bro Andrew Loke, coordinator of La Salle Brothers, Malaysia; Sr Theresa Chua, Provincial of the Infant Jesus Sisters and Sr Christin Low, Provincial of the Canossian Sisters on the status of our government-aided schools.

Government should provide full aid to the Mission Schools
The Government should provide in their annual budget an allocation for grant-in aid to all the Mission Schools and the Government should cease their practice of non-adherence to the provisions of grant-in aid so provided in the said Education Act 1996. The practice of allocating limited grants for utilities bills of Mission Schools, does not solve the problem.

Mission Schools’ utilities bills should be paid in full by the Government.

Legal Responsibility of the Government to pay for Education
Article 12(1) of the Federal Constitution expressly prohibits any form of discrimination in the administration of educational institutions. In particular Article 12(1)(b) provides that there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the grounds only of religion, race, descent or place of birth —

“(b) in providing out of the funds of a public authority financial aid for the maintenance or education of pupils or students in any educational institution (whether or not maintained by a public authority and whether within or outside the Federation).”

The obligation of the Government to provide full support for Mission Schools is set out in the Education Act 1996. Section 2 of the said Education Act, expressly states that Government-Aided Schools (that includes Mission Schools) shall receive full grant-in-aid. Such grant-in-aid shall include “Lain-Lain Perbelanjaan Berulang Tahun” which is then used to pay utility bills in full.

Premised on the above, it is wrong for the Ministry of Education in their press statement dated 24th August 2018 to suggest that they are prepared to assist Missions Schools subject to Government’s financial abilities, when it is their obligation to provide and pay for education.

The legal responsibilities of the Federal Government is clear. This includes the responsibility to provide all Mission Schools with proper infrastructure and a conducive learning environment for both teachers and students including provisions for furniture, upgrading of facilities and utilities.

Sadly, the State Education Department of the respective States, who are responsible for schools in their states have failed to carry out their statutory obligations and provide adequately for the Missions Schools in Malaysia.

Missions Schools providing for the development of the nation

For more than 165 years the Catholic Mission Schools have been closely involved in formal education throughout Malaysia, with the beginning of St Xavier’s Institution in Penang founded in 1852.

Since its first establishment, Mission Schools have strived to provide education for all the people in the country regardless of race, religion, creed and social class or gender. These schools also played an important role in the education of women, when such education was not available or limited at that material time. Such schools include the Convent Light School, Penang (the first girls’ school in Malaysia) founded by the Infant Jesus sisters in 1852 and the Canossian girls’ school in Malacca established in 1905.

Mission schools are known in the past for providing quality education and discipline, coupled with education for religious, moral and spiritual values. Hence, the Mission Schools readily identify themselves with the five principles of the Rukun Negara, namely,

(a) Belief in God,
(b) Loyalty to King and Country,
(c) Supremacy of the Constitution,
(d) upholding the Rule of Law and
(e) mutual respect and good social behaviour.

These values have helped build up generations of Malaysians that are tolerant with a strong spirit of service to society and the nation.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

JOHOR BAHRU: Catholics in the central region of Johor are mourning the loss of one of their longest-serving priests, Fr Thaddeus Foo Yu Sen, who passed away peacefully at 12 noon on Aug 22 at Graceville, Majodi Centre. He was 82, two months short of his 83rd birthday.

He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the Oesophagus in September 2017 and his condition worsened thereafter.

The funeral Mass took place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Aug 24, with Bishop Bernard Paul as the main celebrant, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam and a number of priests concelebrating.

After Mass, the cortege left for the Church of St Simon to allow parishioners there to pay their last respects to the late Father Foo, followed by burial there.

Fr Thaddeus was born in Kuang-tong Province, China, into a family of four brothers and two sisters, of whom he is the youngest.

He received his primary education in Khoon Aik Chinese Primary School, Kangar, Perlis and continued with his secondary education at St Xavier’s Institution and Chung Ling High School, both in Penang.

He read Law and attained his bachelor of Law (LLB) from Cheng-Chi University, Taipei, Taiwan from 1959-1963. He subsequently proceeded to the Seminario de Vocation Tardia (Seminary for Late-vocation) in Salamanca, Spain in 1965.

Fr Foo then continued with his seminary formation at the Seminario Conciliar, Madrid, Spain from 1966-1971.

He was ordained a priest in Madrid, Spain in 1970.

A polyglot, Fr Foo speaks eight languages including Spanish, Hakka, Teochew and Hokkien.

He began his priestly ministry in East Malaysia serving as an assistant priest at the Roman Catholic Mission in Limbang, Miri, Sarawak. from 1971-1972. He then went on to assist at the Roman Catholic Mission in Miri from 1972-1974.

From October 1974-1975, he was sent to take charge of the Roman Catholic Mission in Seria, Brunei.

His priesthood then took him to the Diocese of Malacca-Johore where he was put in charge of the Holy Family Church in Ulu Tiram, Johor, where he served from 1976-1978.

From March 31 1978 – 1981, he was parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Pontian, Johor.

Subsequently in 1981-1983, he assisted at St Theresa’s Church. In 1983 he was transferred to the Church of St Mary, Ayer Salak, Melaka as parish priest from 1983-1988.

In 1989 he was made the parish priest of the Church of Christ the King, Kulai. He served the parish for two years when he was again transferred to Muar and made parish priest of the Church of St Andrew from 1992 to 1995. During that time he was also the administrator of the Church of St Henry, Batu Pahat.

From 1995-2004, he took up the position of parish priest of St Philip, Segamat and was in charge of the surrounding areas of Cha’ah (1999), Labis (2001) and also as administrator of St Anthony, Cha’ah, Johor.

After his retirement at the age of 75 in 2010, he continued to serve as parish priest of St Simon, Labis. Upon full retirement from active service, Fr Foo spent some months visiting his relatives overseas before taking up residence in Graceville on March 1, 2018.

Whilst here, he was lovingly cared for by the nurses and care-givers until his demise.

Bishop Bernard Paul described the death of Fr Foo as a great loss to the Catholic Church of Melaka-Johor. He also extended his deepest condolences to the family and the parish communities of Fr Foo. The Bishop also assured them of his fraternal prayers and support in this time of loss.

Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam said he was saddened to hear of the death of Fr Foo. He said Fr Foo mostly served in Melaka-Johor and the Catholics there will surely miss him. — By Vincent D’Silva

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

August 18 was a very significant day for the Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC) as they celebrated their 34th anniversary in a simple but meaningful way. A thanksgiving Mass was presided over by Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom followed by a thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant in Sandakan. The guests were: the religious sisters, parish priest Fr David Garaman, Fr Stanley, Pilis Malim, chairman of Parish Pastoral Committee, as well as SYCC friends.
The community has grown in the parish as they have faith formation during their general community meetings every Friday at 8.00pm at the parish hall. Besides this, they also help out in every activity in the parish such as in the church choir, MRSM, Sekolah Seni and Montfort boys monthly fellowship, Single Adult fellowship, Life in the Spirit Seminar and others.

This 34th anniversary was very significant as Philip Mosinoh accepted the call from the Lord to be the next Presiding Elder of SYCC, taking over from Michael Lee.

During his speech, Michael Lee shared about the lifestyle of SYCC which, for the past 34 years, has been united to serve the Lord and love one another as brothers and sisters. Indeed members have a great commitment to the Lord, meeting the challenges and difficulties that demand conversion, sacrifice and building relationship. This is not easy as the members come from different walks of life, different backgrounds, races, age, professions as well as cultures. He also added that fellowship and sharing are essential to strengthen the bond as Jesus gathers the community as one body. He encouraged the community to recommit to each other as the people of the Lord to make it easier to work as a team in different ministries.

This community lives righteous and holy lives. He also emphasised that living in the community is also to help and serve other communities in the parish by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He extended his profound gratitude to the elders and members of the community who had rendered assistance and supported him during his service as a presiding elder.

Towards the end of his speech, he announced the next Presiding Elder of SYCC, Philip Mosinoh while Michael Tivit would be one of the elders in SYCC. Fr David witnessed the signing of Bro. Philip as the Presiding Elder and laid hands upon him for blessing.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

Lee Siew Kee, a teacher who retired two weeks ago, said she had a lifetime of fulfilment as she viewed herself as a channel of the Lord’s will and her pupils as objects of His love.

A rural posting in Kedah in the initial part of her career helped her with techniques to teach the poor. A second phase in an urban setting required a different approach to inspire the well-to-do — both of which convinced her that when it comes to teaching, the method employed must be tailored to the audience, or else the content would not get through.

That divine inspiration is why Siew Kee, who until she retired recently, was the only teacher of the Christian faith on the staff of SMK IJ Convent in Johor Bahru. She always resorted to prayer as the key to meeting the challenges she faced in her career.

It was an emotional day for SMK IJ Convent’s Head of Department for Mathematics and Science as she bade farewell to the school and the teaching profession.

Siew Kee, who reached the compulsory retirement age of 60 after teaching for more than 35 years, was given a grand send-off by teachers, pupils, the Board-of-Governors and Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) members.

Speaking of her early days in Kedah, she said, “Students came from poor families. Many of their parents were padi planters or worked in plantations.

“Teaching rural students was challenging as I had to come up with ideas to get them interested in their studies, let alone hand in their homework,” adding that the reward system was the best method to get students interested in their studies.

In 1999, she was awarded the Excellent Service Award by the Ministry of Education and in 2013, she was appointed Head of Mathematics and Science Department.

When the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Joseph Marino, visited the school last year for its 92nd anniversary, Siew Kee gave him a guided tour of the school while briefing him on the school’s history.

Johor Bahru was a different urban environment for Siew Kee altogether. “My teaching style had to change as God had placed me in this school for a different purpose.”

She said she became more involved in her walk with the Lord as she had to seek Him continuously.

“There were new unfamiliar grounds to tread. The Lord is good and He sent many colleagues who guided me along the way,” she said with a smile.

She stressed that SMK IJ Convent, JB, is one of the few schools that runs Christian fellowship during school time every Thursday morning and afternoon, meeting in the chapel.

“We want to continue this legacy where Convent girls who have graduated will come back to share on the goodness of the Lord,” she said.

She pointed out that this Christian meet is also evangelistic in nature as they encourage non-Christian students to join in.

According to Siew Kee, there is also a special prayer meet that she organised for the students facing major exams like PT3 and SPM.

One of Siew Kee’s greatest achievements is organising the annual Christmas Concert. “This Christmas concert is also evangelistic in nature. We share the true meaning of Christmas. What is unique is that we have non-Christian students who participate,” she explained.

“I am happy to have been here for almost 32 years as I spent my primary and secondary schooling in Alor Star Convent and am happy to retire at this great institution in JB,” she said.

“I am happy to retire but, at the same time, am sad to leave this school after spending almost three decades here,” she said sadly.

In her parting words, “Love for teaching as the Bible says, love is the greatest, it overcometh all. So love for teaching will help teachers to overcome the changes and challenges that are in today’s education scene.”

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrations take on a new meaning as Malaysians look forward to being a united nation. The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) said this in a message released on August 24.

“There is a palpable sense of anticipation and expectation that Malaysia will truly be a nation of harmony, peace, opportunity, equality and prosperity.

“The CFM urges prayers for our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the members of the Cabinet and the leaders of the respective State governments.

The CFM also called for prayers for the Opposition to rise up to play a credible role as the check-and-balance of the Government.

The CFM also urged the Government to formulate laws, policies and best practices that will eliminate all manner of corruption, at all levels.

“Poverty needs to be meaningfully defined by reference to the actual cost of living, to eradicate the poverty of a significant proportion of our people.”

The message ends with a call for us to put aside our differences and work together so that there may be peace, harmony and prosperity for all.

For full text of the message see below.

This year’s Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day celebrations take on a new meaning for all Malaysians as they follow on the momentous outcome of the 14th General Election that saw, for the first time, a change of government in the nation since its independence in 1957 and the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Malaysians are looking forward to being a united nation as envisioned by our founding fathers when she was first established. There is a palpable sense of anticipation and expectation that Malaysia will truly be a nation of harmony, peace, opportunity, equality and prosperity.

Let us, therefore, approach this season of commemoration and celebration with deep gratitude and joyful thanksgiving for a peaceful election and transition to a new Government.

Let us offer thanks and praises to God for His mercies and for blessing our nation with new hope.

The Christian Federation of Malaysia (CFM) urges prayers for our Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, the members of the Cabinet and the leaders of the respective State governments. May all our national and State leaders be given vital good health and the strength and courage to administer our beloved nation and rebuild our economy with uncompromising integrity, honesty, humility, compassion, wisdom, diligence, fairness, justice and transparency.

Let us also pray that members of the Opposition will rise up to play a credible role as the check-and-balance of the Government, building a viable bi-party system to hold the Government accountable for delivering on all promises in Pakatan Harapan’s election manifesto for the good and well-being of all Malaysians.

Believing that sin and corruption will ultimately lead to the downfall of any nation, for “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34), we urge the Government to formulate laws, policies and best practices that will eliminate all manner of corruption, at all levels. Although wrongdoers must certainly be held to account, we also urge the government to act fairly and justly, and not out of political vengeance against the supporters of the previous Government. Malaysia needs to build a mature democracy where there is no dread of reprisals whenever there is a change of government.

While removing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to alleviate the hardship of the middle and lower income groups has been welcomed, more, much more, must be done to rebuild our economy. The review and cancellation of extravagant mega projects is an excellent start but an in-depth review of policies to uplift poor and needy Malaysians of all ethnicities and creeds is also urgently required. If we are to build a just and equitable society for succeeding generations, poverty needs to be meaningfully defined by reference to the actual cost of living, so that effective programmes for advancement with state support may be implemented, not only to eradicate the poverty of a significant proportion of our peoples, including native peoples such as the Penans and the Orang Asli, as well as the urban poor, but also to narrow the shameful disparity between the richest and the poorest among us.

Let us join hands and do our part in rebuilding this nation. So much needs to be done for a genuine national transformation to take place. Let us, therefore, put aside our differences, banish all inflammatory rhetoric which causes dissension and division amongst us, honour and respect each other as true Malaysians, unite as one in our efforts and work with a new spirit and renewed heart to take our beloved nation to ever greater heights, that there may be peace, harmony and prosperity for all.

Let us take great pride in our wonderful nation by giving our full support to our national celebration and by proudly flying our national flag, the Jalur Gemilang, at our homes, offices and religious centres.

To all Malaysians: Sayangi Malaysiaku!

Selamat Hari Merdeka dan
Selamat Hari Malaysia!

Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim
Chairman

Archbishop Dr. Simon Poh Hoon Seng
Vice-chairman

Bishop Dr Ong Hwai Teik
Vice-chairman

Revd. Dr Eu Hong Seng
Vice-chairman

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

“Every time you establish a presence in a district, something good happens.”

This was the key disclosure of Papal Nuncio Archbishop Joseph Marino to 500 parishioners at the parish hall of the Church of the Immaculate Conception (CIC), August 15.

Archbishop Marino was speaking on the topic of the New Evangelisation in this age.

“I was invited to an official reception to celebrate Eid, the Muslim feast that follows the conclusion of Ramadan,” he recalled of his tour of duty in overwhelmingly Muslim Bangladesh.

“A gentleman came up to me and implored that my Church should open up a place of worship in every district in his country. I asked him why he wanted my Church to do so when we just have only 350,000 Catholics among a 160-million population.

He said, “Because, everywhere you open up a place, something good happens,” said Archbishop Marino. The crowd burst into applause.

The Papal envoy cited this in support of his point that Catholics have merely to live their faith, particularly in the teeth of adversity, in order to evangelise amongst the multiracial and multi-religious milieu they find themselves in in Asia.

Continuing his talk, Archbishop Marino said the Holy Father tells us that the entire proclamation of Jesus comes “from the heart of the Gospel.”

He said only by proclaiming and speaking from the heart of the Gospel will we be able to announce that which is of primary importance. The primary reason for evangelising is the love of Jesus which we have received, the experience of salvation which urges us to ever greater love of him.

Therefore, the Nuncio said, the essential and primary proclamation, coming from the heart of the Gospel itself, is the love and mercy that Christ has given to us which, in turn, we are compelled to announce to others.

He said, “To evangelise, then, is to introduce others to a person whom we, the evangeliser, believes to be the centre of our lives.” To proclaim “from the heart of the Gospel,” he said, leads to a true missionary style of proclamation which must not be “obsessed with the disjointed transmission of a multitude of doctrines to be insistently imposed.

Instead, the Nuncio explained, “The missionary way of proclaiming is to reach everyone without exception or exclusion. That can only be done, affirms the Holy Father, if we concentrate on the essentials, on what is most beautiful, most grand, most appealing and, at the same time, most necessary. Consequently, it becomes all the more forceful and convincing.”

He said, “As Church, we are a people advancing ourselves towards the mystery of salvation, transcending any institutional expression, even if necessary.”

He went on to say that we must recognise that if part of our baptised people lack a sense of belonging to the Church, this is also due to certain structures and the occasionally unwelcoming atmosphere of some of our parishes and communities or to a bureaucratic way of dealing with problems, be they simple or complex, in the lives of our people.

The Nuncio critiques parish structures and affirms, “We must admit that the call to view and review our parishes has not yet sufficed to bring them nearer to people, to make them environments of living communion and participation, and to make them completely mission-oriented.”

The Nuncio said, that in addressing the realities of basic Christian communities and ecclesial movements, the Holy Father, while recognising them as a source of enrichment for the Church, explains that they would be more beneficial if they do not “lose contact with the rich reality of the local parish” and that in that way, they will be prevented from concentrating only on part of the Gospel or the Church.

He called on the people to be evangelised and to be disciples, that is, followers of Christ but, at the same time, we are evangelisers. As such, he says, we are missionary disciples, adding that “Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ.”

Only then will we be able to say, like countless men and women in the Scriptures, “we have found the Christ.”

He added that, to be evangelisers is to bring to others what we have received, God’s love and mercy, God’s tenderness and forgiveness.

“It means to open doors, build bridges and embrace those who are lost and misdirected, confused and alienated. It means to be convinced that at the table of the Lord, there is a place for everyone.”

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

PLENTONG: A course on Exorcism and Deliverance was held at the Malacca Johore Diocesan Centre, MAJODI, July 30 to August 3. Conducted by a team from the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism (AMOE) from the Philippines, the five-day session drew 120 participants (mostly Clergy) from across the 11 Arch/Dioceses of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei.

The course was initially part of the Malacca Johore Diocesan Clergy’s yearly on-going formation. Bishop Bernard Paul had, in 2017, introduced the first clergy formation to a session on Spiritual Conversion conducted by Archbishop William Goh of Singapore.

Following this, Bishop Bernard observed that more and more people are disturbed and many quickly narrow this to psychology. From his own personal experience, he wanted his clergy to be aware of other dimensions, especially the realities of demoniacal afflictions and spiritual warfare.

Thus began his search which led him to the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism (AMOE) team in the Philippines. When this course was made known at the Bishops’ Conference, the other Bishops showed interest and it was opened up to their clergy, including some laity recommended by their bishops. This course was timely as, in July, the Vatican had called on all dioceses to name an exorcist for every diocese.

The team from AMOE comprised of Fr Jose Francisco C. Syquia, Fr Winston Cabading OP and two lay members. Fr Jose, the Director of the AMOE, is an exorcist in Manila for the last ten years and a member of the International Association of Exorcists based in Rome. He completed the Vatican Course on Exorcism and Deliverance at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University. He is also the Head of the Commission on Extraordinary Phenomena for the Archdiocese of Manila and author of the bestselling book, Exorcism: Encounters with the Paranormal and the Occult (Shepherd’s Voice Publication), Exorcist: A Spiritual Journey and Exorcist: Spiritual Battle Lines the first and second of the three volumes published by St Paul’s.

He is a full-time formator, spiritual director and professor of spirituality and psychology at the San Carlos Major Seminary in Makati City, Metro Manila. Fr Winston Cabading OP has been a member of the team of mandated exorcists from the Archdiocese of Manila Office of Exorcism since October 2013 and a member of the Commission of Vision and Phenomena of the Archdiocese since 2015.

The topic of exorcism is nothing new to Deacon Paul Sia from the Malacca Johore Diocese who was involved in the Charismatic movement. He remarked that many attribute evil to Satan but do not see the subtleties that arise in everyday lives. Fr Winston’s first session set the mood for the sessions which he found to be very informative, educational, practical and pastoral.

Andre Ong, who heads the Penang Diocesan Catholic Charismatic Renewal, also found the sessions “very enlightening, practical with a balanced approach — the presenters were experienced and clarified a lot of questions. We were blessed to have them.”

The Course on Exorcism was a course that Sr Theresa Chew FdCC from the Penang Diocese would have avoided except for her curiosity. As someone already engaged in the ministry of Spiritual Direction and Spiritual Growth, she needed to understand more about the influence of evil in the discerning process and subsequently learn how to assist in the deliverance and exorcism when necessary.

“The Course certainly deepened the theological understanding of my faith and strengthened my relationship with God. It also helped me to be aware of how the devil is real and active in our world. I witnessed for myself how priests, through the power of ordination, can exercise this ministry of deliverance and exorcism. The course will be of great help to me in my ministry of pastoral care,” shared Sr Theresa. She strongly recommends this course to priests, religious and the lay-faithful so that “duly enlightened, they will be able to better guide and direct others from being misled by misconceptions and by the devil,” she commented.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online

KUALA LUMPUR: The Peninsular Malaysia Church has contributed RM175,000.00 for the relief operations of the flood hit areas in India.

“Malacca Johor Diocese is contributing RM75,000 from its Natural Disaster Fund,” Bishop Bernard Paul said in a circular released on August 20.

The funds will be sent to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) for them to disburse accordingly.

Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese is donating RM50,000 from the Natural Disaster Fund of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, in aid of the relief work to alleviate the suffering and hardship of the people of Kerala. This was conveyed to the people in a Chancery Notice on August 18.

Archbishop Julian Leow has also decreed that a second collection be taken at all Masses on the weekend of September 8 and 9 in all parishes of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur for this purpose.

Penang Diocese has donated RM50,000 through the Penang Office of Human Development (POHD) to Kerala, India, to help in its recovery from the floods.

Let us continue to join Pope Francis to pray for our brothers and sisters who are suffering from this great calamity.

 

Article reproduced from Herald Malaysia online