More prayer houses take proactive steps
Published on: Sunday, March 15, 2020
By: Christy Chok
A devotee praying online.
TAWAU: More churches are taking measures to contain the Coronavirus outbreak.Bishop of the Basel Christian Church of Malaysia, Central Council, Dr James Wong, announced that all Sunday Services, Sunday schools and communal activities are suspended with immediate effect and resume on April 5 (Palm Sunday), depending on the situation.
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James said the Central Council decided that all retreats, seminars, conferences, courses or programmes inside or outside the state be cancelled or postponed to a later date after June 2020.
All congregations are required to subscribe to this directive without compromise to cooperate with the State Government’s efforts against the spread of Covid-19.
He said pastors, chairpersons, elders, church council members, church staff and the Ministry Directors and Leaders are encouraged to continue to care for the needs of church members proactively through the various media communication methods, like online direct streaming, recorded videos, live streaming and so on.
They also offer the convenience of electronic offerings to members such as online transfer, Paypal, Boost, etc. For Boost, they should contact Joseph Tsen at 019-8822233 for assistance.
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All essential meetings limited to a small group are permissible provided the leadership takes all the necessary measurers.
According to him, it would be the first time in the history of the church that worshiping is suspended following coronavirus epidemic. Even during the SARS period in 2003, the church did not stop worshiping.
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Meanwhile, the assistant priest of Tawau Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Father Sunny Chung, also announced that all gatherings, Diocese, visits, Rekoleksi including Mass are temporarily cancelled and resume on April 1, depending on the situation.
He said the church and chapel will remain open during that period to allow individuals coming for prayers, while any notifications or updates from the church will be released from time to time.
The Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) in Sabah has also suspended all gospel meetings with immediate effect until April 30.
“These worship meetings include conferences, seminars, Sunday worships and events involving the public,” said Sabah SIB Sec-Gen Pastor Thenny M Ali in a statement, Saturday.
He said the local church is encouraged to hold family or communion online. “All congregations are encouraged to take general precautions against the Covid-19 infection. Those with symptoms such as flu, fever, cough and difficulty breathing are advised to go for hospital check-up,” he said.
They are also advised to maintain personal hygiene such as hand washing with soap or using hand sanitisers from time to time and wear face masks when necessary.
In addition, they are not encouraged to shake hands.
The church leaders are encouraged to form a church health team to provide health briefings and to monitor the situation from time to time.
Congregates are not encouraged to visit any country at risks of Covid-19 as announced by the Malaysian Government. They are also not encouraged to attend any public gatherings or be in crowded public places.
Masses and other gatherings in the Catholic archdiocese were also earlier suspended until April 1.
The Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (Jheains) branch here advised those suspected to be infected with the Coronavirus (Covid-19) not to perform Friday prayers and Iktikaf.
They are also strongly advised to stay away from places that will hurt other congregations as well as not to stay in the mosque or prayer house in Tawau and Kalabakan until they are healthy again.
Those suspected to have Covid-19 but fail to comply with the quarantine instructions, will face action under Section 14 of the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Act 1988 or Section 24 of the same Act which carries jail term not more than two years or fine or both, if convicted for the first time; while the second or subsequent offense carries jail term not more than five years or fine or both, if convicted.
The Parochial Church Council of St Patrick’s Anglican Church, Tawau, also issued a notice that all church weekly activities would be recessed from March 12-22, 2020 and all Diocesan events postponed until further notice. However, the weekend worship services will continue as usual.
Its Rector, Bishop John Yeo, said, they have a responsibility to help prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and help health authorities in their efforts to contain it. They need to take extra precautions to minimise the risks.
Chairman of Pu Zhao Temple at Jalan Bunga Raya here, Chok Kwong Ming, said all their temple activities including chanting every Saturday’s night were cancelled until further notice.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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