By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 22: Roman Catholic churches will include a special prayer intention for the repose of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday (April 21), in Holy Masses.
In a statement, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Dato Simon Poh said that this would be done as they waited for more information from the Vatican on the late Pope’s funeral.
“We will also be preparing a book of condolence and a place where Catholics and friends can come to pray and offer last respect. More information will be provided later,” he said.
He expressed sadness at the late Pope’s passing, saying that he, along with cardinals, archbishops, and bishops of Malaysia and Singapore, were grateful to have had the opportunity to meet him during his pastoral visit to Singapore last September.
Poh reflected on the late Pope’s life, noting his role as a world spiritual leader in strengthening human fraternity, interreligious dialogue and collaboration, speaking for the need to take care of the earth on the global platform, highlighting and caring for the migrants, climate and war refugees, and especially those who are at the margins of society.
“He appointed me to be a Bishop in 2015 and later as the Archbishop in Kuching, and on both occasions, I have been blessed to have met him personally in Rome and especially for a whole month at the Synod on Youth in October 2018. Pope Francis has inspired me with the choice of my motto, ‘Pastor Cordis Christi’ in Latin, which translates as ‘Shepherd after the Heart of Jesus’.
“From Pope Francis, I learnt to be a bishop who remains near to the people and reaches out to engage with spiritual leaders from respective faiths. In recognising each other’s humanity, dialoguing and accepting the similarity while respecting the differences, we can become friends and build a society of peace, harmony, and mutual respect,” he said.
He added that Pope Francis inspired a welcoming church that showed the merciful face of God.
“I take this opportunity to thank many people and friends from all faiths who have personally expressed their condolences to the Catholic Church.”
Pope Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta. — DayakDaily
