12-07-2025
ERLC discusses liturgical issues ahead of bishops' conference
The 27th meeting of the Episcopal Regional Liturgy Commission (ERLC), under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, was held on June 26. Jul 11, 2025
By Dr Chan Lek LinThe 27th meeting of the Episcopal Regional Liturgy Commission (ERLC), under the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, was held on June 26. It was attended by representatives of Liturgy Commissions of the Archdioceses of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu, Dioceses of Penang, Malacca Johore, Sibu, Miri and Keningau. As the ERLC President, Cardinal William Goh was unable to attend in person, an online zoom session was arranged for a dialogue with him. Some pertinent issues concerning the liturgy affecting the region were discussed. Among them were the All Saints Mass, that is a day of obligation and All Souls which is not obligatory and yet widely attended by the lay faithful. These two solemnities are celebrated on Saturday and Sunday respectively. The other celebration that was debated at length was Chinese New Year 2026. The second day of this festival coincides with Ash Wednesday, that marks the first day of Lent. The ERLC will give their views to the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei at its meeting in July. It will deliberate on the afore mentioned matters and issue an advisory. Some other subjects were also discussed vis-à-vis, the New Jerusalem Lectionary and English Standard Version-Catholic Version (ESV-CE) Lectionary, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) and the Mass with Children. Delegates had the opportunity of visiting the archives of the Archdiocese of Kuching, the new St Peter's Church with gothic architecture as well as part of Kuching City and savouring the special delicacies of Kuching. Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching made time to meet delegates and joined them for one of their dinners. At the end of the ERLC meeting, delegates were invited to attend the consecration of the new St Peter's Church on the Feast of Sts Peter & Paul on June 29 as well as the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the priestly ordination cum 70th birthday of Fr Vincent Chin, Rector of St Peter's Church on June 30.
The next ERLC meeting will be hosted by the diocese of Malacca Johore from June 16-18, 2026
