By Mathilda Ignathia
KUALA LUMPUR — The Perjalanan Salib in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur made its way to the Church of the Divine Mercy earlier this month, where it served as a powerful ‘Cross for Peace’.
The Perjalanan Salib is a spiritual journey of the Malaysian Church, bringing the faithful together under the sign of the Cross as they prepare for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) 2026. As the cross moves from parish to parish, communities gather for prayer, reflection and dialogue ahead of the national gathering this September.
As part of its six-day programme, CDM parish hosted a Salib for Peace dialogue on March 7 featuring speakers from two nations currently experiencing the devastating impact of war — Ukraine and Palestine. The session also brought together representatives from several interfaith communities, including the Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu and Bahá?í traditions.
Ulyana Shchurko, a lecturer from Ukraine, joined the dialogue virtually, offering a firsthand account of the resilience of the Ukrainian people amid ongoing conflict. She spoke about the daily realities of living in a war zone and the psychological toll of prolonged aggression.
The second speaker, Nasser Abdul Karim, a former Ambassador Media Representative of Palestine, shared perspectives on the humanitarian crisis facing the Palestinian people. He called for greater solidarity and deeper understanding of their struggle for justice and peace.
The dialogue concluded with a call to action, reminding participants that the pursuit of peace is not limited to global policies but begins with individuals — through education, advocacy and fostering empathy within their own communities.
After the session, CDM’s parish priest, Fr George Harrison, invited participants to write personal prayers for peace. These were placed in a dedicated petition box during a guided tour of the venue.
The event concluded with fellowship over lunch and a commemorative group photo, leaving participants with a renewed commitment to be instruments of peace in a troubled world.
The peace dialogue at the Church of the Divine Mercy, demonstrated how parishes can use the Perjalanan Salib as a platform to reflect on global suffering and the Church’s call to be a sign of peace.
