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CV NEWS FEED // Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, Malaysia, is calling on the faithful to offer compassion and mercy to a mentally ill man who disrupted Mass at St. Joseph’s Cathedral on March 8, according to UCA News.
A 25-year-old man, whose identity remains private, entered the cathedral in Kuching, threw a bottle at the altar, and shouted profanities, UCA News reports. The ushers escorted him out of the cathedral and police came, though the parish did not lodge a police complaint. The man was sent to receive medical treatment.
Before the incident, the man had been receiving mental health treatment at Kota Sentosa Hospital, according to Kuching District Police Chief Mohammed Farhan Lee Abdullah. However, the man had not been taking his prescribed medications, Abdullah added.
Videos of the incident went viral on social media and sparked outrage. In a statement following the incident, Archbishop Poh told the faithful not to “further viralize the videos, nor to post comments that add further pain and stigma to him [the man] and his family members.”
Archbishop Poh stated that according to social media, the man’s mental health issues were triggered by the death of his mother.
Archbishop Poh continued, “As your shepherd and spiritual leader, I appeal to everyone to be kind with this person.”
He added that the faithful must “show mercy, kindness, and support for those who are struggling in life, especially with mental difficulties.”
Even though the parish did not file a complaint, police are investigating the incident under Section 295 of the Malaysian Penal Code, which “refers to destroying, damaging, or defiling any place of worship or any object held sacred by any class of persons with the intention of insulting the religion of any class of persons,” according to UCA News. A violation of this section can result in a fine and a jail term of up to two years.
Abdullah also discouraged speculation and spreading misinformation about the event. He added as part of a new security measure, police will periodically patrol church services in order to maintain safety at houses of worship.
