Prayers were said for Christians in Malaysia this evening as a fourth Christian church in the south-east Asian country comes under attack in two days.
The diocese of Lichfield shares a thriving mission partnership with the dioceses of West Malaysia and Kuching and enjoys informal links with the diocese of Sabah.
This evening the Revd Philip Swan began his new role as director of world mission for the diocese of Lichfield and was licensed during a special service in Lichfield Cathedral. Part of his role is to co-ordinate the partnerships between churches in the diocese of Lichfield and churches in Malaysia; and also Singapore (South East Asia); Matlosane (South Africa); Qu’Appelle (Canada); and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mecklenburg (Germany).
During the service prayers were said for the safety and security of Christians in Malaysia. The Revd Terry Bloor, Vicar of Basford near Newcastle-under-Lyme, led prayers for the Bishop of West Malaysia, the Right Reverend Moon Hing and all Christians in Malaysia, and especially for the congregations whose church buildings have been damaged by fire-bomb attacks. He said: “We pray that the Malaysian Home Minister’s appeal for calm might be heeded and protests moderated.”
He prayed: “Father, be with those in authority who seek a peaceful solution, and may all Christians in Malaysia, of whatever denomination, through prayer, fasting and without retaliation, seek your will and overcome all evil intent with the good that your name, in whatever language, speaks to the world”
ENDS
NOTE: Further information about Philip Swan is available from: