Archbishop on additional MCO restrictions

UPDATE: In view of the extended Movement Control Order (MCO) period annnounced by Premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin last Wednesday (March 25), the Conference of Bishops in Malaysia issued an updated decree. Please read it HERE.

KOTA KINABALU: Archbishop John Wong in a statement Monday revealed seven additional measures to be taken with immediate effect, “as we approach the end of the restriction period”.

In the letter addressed to priests, religious and lay people, the archbishop said the updated restrictions included:

suspension of public masses
temporary closure of churches and chapels
to follow televised Masses especially on Sundays
priests’ private Masses
temporary closure of archdiocesan office
Sacraments of penance and Viaticum
couples’ wedding schedules
funerals
parishes’ role to care for the vulnerable, elderly, sick, those living alone and who are financially affected

During the Movement Control Order, the prelate also urged the faithful to pray for each other more.

“Precisely because we cannot meet, let us seize this extraordinary opportunity to pray more for each other, imploring the intercession of Mary the Mother of the Church, to be more united in mercy, forgiveness and charity, through Christ Jesus our Lord,” he said.

Meanwhile, in heeding Archbishop John’s call to come together as a community to seek the intercession of Mother Mary, St Simon Catholic Church Likas rector Fr Cosmas Lee urged the parish to do its part.

A guideline for the “Novena Devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help”, to be said on March 23-31, had been distributed via social media platforms among the faithful.

It was also made available on the parish website.

Parishioners can contact the office hotline at 088-212713 or 013-860 5887 for enquiries.

(Note from site admin: Please see below for the full statement from Archbishop John Wong and the Novena guidelines from the parish rector)