By Juanis Marcus
KENINGAU — ST Francis Xavier Cathedral, Keningau had a rude shock when an invader entered the Cathedral and damaged several statues and the Cross of Jesus Jul 7.
Although the perpetrator has been arrested by the authorities, the community at large continues to criticize and speculate.
However, through the media conference held Jul 8 and the Koponogitan Mass on July 14 at the same Cathedral, the people, to some extent, were being brought to be more forgiving and caring, especially the Keningau parish,
In his homily, the Keningau prelate preached, “Like in our culture, we deliver ‘sogit’ when we make a mistake with the intention that harmony can be re-established. So also, in this Koponogitan Mass, we want to be reconciled with God, as well as to reconcile with our fellowmen.”
At the same Mass, the statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Virgin Mary, and the Cross of Jesus were blessed again. The purpose is to re-sanctify them because they have been defiled and intentionally damaged.
Bishop Cornelius informed that the statues and the Cross, which is about 46 years old, would be repaired as there are no plans to buy new ones. By doing so, the church and her parishioners would keep the event in their memories.
“Take this event as an invitation from God for us to be forgiving and caring. The people should not criticize the perpetrator and the perpetrator’s family because God did not do so. However, let us pray for the perpetrator and his family, to be able to accept this matter, and that peace be with them,” concluded the prelate in his homily.
The seriousness of the church to be forgiving and caring was reaffirmed at Mass through the Prayer of the Faithful, which prayed for the perpetrator and his family, as well as through a simple fellowship with them and the people.
