Church appeals for less noise during service

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Very Reverend Michael Buma Galami

Very Reverend Michael Buma Galami

KUCHING: St Thomas’ Cathedral at Jalan McDougall has appealed to organisers of events at Padang Merdeka to lower the noise coming from their speakers during Sunday church service.

Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Reverend Michael Buma Galami, said some event organisers kept their speakers at such high volume that nothing else could be heard in the church.

“Although there may seem to be a distance between the padang and the Cathedral, when the speakers are directed in our direction at full volume, almost every word by those speaking and the thumping music drown out our prayers, Bible readings, sermon and worship in general,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

“We hope event organisers and the authorities concerned show greater understanding and respect by not directing their speakers directly at the church on Sundays.

“It would be more charitable if the organiser could hold their events closer to the Sarawak Museum side of the padang during Sunday worship.”

He explained that even with the doors and windows closed, the noise levels could be so high that everything could still be heard throughout the church.

The noise would be unbearable for worshippers especially those who could not find seats in the Cathedral and have to sit in the open courtyard, he said.

Michael stressed that the Cathedral is not against activities being held on the padang on Sundays, but is merely appealing for event organisers to understand that excessive noise is disruptive to worshipping in church.

“The Cathedral is and has always been part of Kuching — City of Unity. We support events that promote the development of the city and our people.

“As we have been in the past 168 years and continue to remain adjacent to Padang Merdeka in the future, the Cathedral will try to do her part by creating a pleasant atmosphere.

“We are simply asking for event organisers to respect our right to worship without excessive disruptions on Sundays,” he said.

St Thomas’ Cathedral has services at 6.45am, 8.15am, 10am and 5.30pm on normal Sundays.

Over 1,500 parishioners attend service at this church every week.