KUCHING: On this Easter Day, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia president His Grace Archbishop Simon Poh called on the people to maintain peace and joy and work together to make the nation and the world a better place for everyone.
Poh, who is also the Kuching Roman Catholic Archbishop, further said Easter is a time to share hope and common purpose in life.
“For Christians, our faith in Christ our risen Lord and Master has to be expressed concretely in loving God and being at the service of our neighbours by contributing to the common good of society and nation building,” he said in his Easter message.
Poh then said a few days ago, on Good Friday, he was invited by Islamic Information Centre (IIC) at Jalan Ong Tiang Swee here for a break of fast meal with other Muslim, Bahai, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Taoist and Christian leaders.
“During conversation at the table, we talked about fasting, the various religious celebrations around this time – Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Easter for Christians, Bahai Naw-Rúz New Year, Ching Ming Tomb Festival, and Taoist temple processions.
“It was a time of fellowship, friendship and building up mutual understanding and respect for each other,” he said.
As the breaking of fast was on the evening of Good Friday, he also shared that Catholics are also fasting and abstaining from meat that day.
“I had also fasted in solidarity with Muslims that whole day. As I was keeping abstinence, IIC chief executive officer Dr Hajah Asmah kindly indicated to me the non-meat dishes on the table.
“Together various faiths share the ‘buka puasa’ fellowship meal as friends,” he said.
On behalf of Vatican City Rome, he said he had presented to IIC a message to Muslims from the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, entitled: “Message for the Month of Ramadan and Id Al-Fitr 1445 H/ 2024 A.D. Christian and Muslims: Extinguish the Fire of War and Light the Candle of Peace.”
The extract reads:
“We look to the Almighty as God of peace, the source of peace, who in a special way loves all those who devote their lives to the service of peace. Let us join in extinguishing the fires of hatred, violence and war, and instead light the gentle candle of peace, drawing upon resources for peace that are present in our rich human and religious traditions.”
As Christians have just completed Holy Week March 24 to 31, Poh also took the opportunity to wish Catholic and Christian brothers and sisters a very Blessed Easter.
