Penang Cathedral denounces ISA before 800 people

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The ISA must go now: Fr Fabian Dicom strongly denounces the ISA

We shall overcome: They sang loudly while swaying candles held high

Datuks against ISA: Datuk Dr Toh Kin Woon and Dato’ Seri Dr T Devaraj after Mass

Hot on the heels of the Perlis Mufti’s criticism of the use of the ISA, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirt in Penang, the seat of the Catholic Church in the northern region, has delivered a powerful indictment of the draconian law in a special Mass attended by some 600 800 concerned Malaysians.

“We are fed up,” said assistant parish priest Fr Fabian Dicom, in a searing denouncement of the ISA. “The ISA must go now. What we are saying here can be found in the verses of our scriptures.”

From Matthew Chapter 5:

5 Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.
7 Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised as children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11 Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you.

Dicom’s call was echoed in another stirring denunciation by parish priest Fr Francis Anthony at the end of the Mass.

The main celebrant wore purple vestments, “the colour of mourning,” explained Dicom, who concelebrated Mass with half a dozen priests from the Penang diocese including Anthony and Fr Marshall Fernandez, the parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Pulau Tikus.

“We should not rest until we sound the death knell for the ISA,” added Dicom, whereupon the congregation inside heard the faint tolling of a church bell.

The crowd broke out in loud and sustained applause each time the priests called for an immediate end to the ISA and for the release of all ISA detainees. Among those present were Penang-based civil society activists and bloggers as well as folks from the mainland.

Images of Teresa Kok, Raja Petra and the Hindraf Five flashed across the overhead screens as the parishoners prayed for justice, peace and the immediate release of all ISA detainees.

The interior of the Cathedral was later bathed with the warm orange glow of hundreds of candles held up high by the parishoners as they loudly sang hymns.

This is part of one of the songs:

Be not afraid.
I go before you always;
Come follow me,
and I will give you rest.

If you pass through raging waters in the sea, you shall not drown.

If you walk amid the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.

If you stand before the pow’r of hell and death is at your side, know that I am with you through it all.

Be not afraid.
I go before you always;
Come follow me,
and I will give you rest.

Blessed are your poor, for the kingdom shall be theirs.

Blest are you that weep and mourn, for one day you shall laugh.

And if wicked men insult and hate you all because of me, blessed, blessed are you!

More newbies join the Abolish ISA campaign, as blogger Lucia Lai looks on

After Mass, many snapped up anti-ISA badges and Abolish ISA postcards from a desk outside the church, coordinated by blogger Lucia Lai.

Gregwar reports on the event:

We are glad that so many turned up; actually our estimate is 800 based on the number of candles handed over to those who came to pray. Yes, it was a great indictment of the change of attitude of the faithful who responded to our invitation to come pray with us. Many even came from across the channel to celebrate with us. Yes the people are “fed up” at what is happening to our beloved homeland. Many are looking into the scriptures to find answers. Thanks to our friends from Aliran, Suaram and other NGOs who joined us. Let us all be united in solidarity and pray for ALL those who are suffering under ISA.

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