'Covid19, a time for spiritual renewal'

RC priest Fr Leslie Tang Kai believes the covid19 pandemic, which is affecting countries all over the world, presents an opportunity for spiritual renewal.

“I would say God’s message at this time is a call to prayer, a call to conversion, a call to renewal,” he told Newsday.

“We often take too many things for granted and many times we blame others.”

Tang Kai, parish priest of the St Joseph RC Church, Scarborough, Tobago, said people must also use this lockdown period as a time for introspection and hope.

“What is my responsibility in what is going on? How could I have prevented or how could I help to changing this reality? That should always be our question.”

He said while individuals may pray for the frontline health workers, scientists and researchers, they must also reflect on the role they can play in easing the anxieties of others during the pandemic.

“So the world is being challenged by God’s message to love and to truly be who he has called us to be.”

Tang Kai said this message of renewal and hope is already being communicated among the church’s flock.

“The message is being proclaimed and shared among the people. We could never say we are happy because there is always, in each and every one of us, still more that we can do.

“We are challenged every day to so something more to aiding and abetting the goodness of God in our midst.”

The priest said, though, God wants people to be faithful to Him.

“He has promised he will not forsake and abandon his people. Yet, at the same time, we know he is a jealous God.”

Tang Kai observed infidelity, in its various manifestations, is now the norm in society.

“We are unfaithful in so many ways, not just in relationships and we have to be mindful of that. There are so many challenges in the world. Yet many of us, rather than bringing solutions to the challenge, we create more and more challenges.”

Despite its challenges in hosting services and meetings, Tang Kai said the church is coping.

“It is very challenging at this time but given the reality, the church has been abiding with all that has been asked of her and all the medical protocols. So, we, so far, are coping.”

He said social media is now an “essential facet” in the church’s landscape.

“Recently, I had celebrated, across the world, a memorial mass for deceased members of one particular family and that was quite interactive.”

He added: “So, with the social media, while there is no physical presence, among each-other we are still able to interact through the communication network and have masses celebrated that way, especially for families who have been hurting.”

Tang Kai said priests have not had much of a challenge in staying focussed and upbeat.

“We, as clergy can still celebrate a private mass with ourselves or with one or two others in our private chapels.”

He added priests are constantly in Zoom meetings with Archbishop Jason Gordon and vicars.

“Ever so often, we check in on each-other to make sure we are still afloat.”

Regarding monetary contributions, Tang Kai said the church is encouraging people to make direct contributions, where possible, into its bank accounts, or at their respective church offices.

“But we are also mindful that a number of persons have been affected financially so we know of the limitations within our congregations and among God’s people.”

Tang Kai said some Catholics are also questioning why churches and other places of worship are closed when supermarkets and malls remain open.

“But we trust in God and we hope that all will eventually play out.”