Mother of God Pdm, Triang 直凉天主之母支团
Fr. Thomas Loh (right) 罗秀彪神父（右）
Triang is a small rural town about 2 hours drive from Bentong.
The controversial intended eviction and demolition of 85 years old Chapel of St. John by the state government attracted national attention in 2009. It was met with strong protest from the Catholic population and non-Christian local community in Triang.
I was in Triang on a fact-finding trip in 2009 (see old post Chapel of St John (1) and Chapel of St John (2) )
After 2 years, I am back again to Triang. The chapel is safe for now from demolition due to the vigilant defense of parishioners and leaders and untiring negotiation with parties concern.
According to a church leader, the state land office had agreed that the lease hold land where the chapel is sited, would not be acquired for development but gazetted as a place of worship.
But until and unless an official notification is issued, they would not let their guards down.
A building plan of a new church has been submitted to the relevant authorities for approval. If approve, the problem would be solved completely.
Pray that the dream of Triang community would be fulfilled in the near future.
We were welcomed warmly by the parishioners of the chapel in the evening and treated to a community pot-luck dinner at one of parishioners' home.
Later, we attended the meeting of Mother of God praesidium meeting.
I was very touched by their fervent devotion to our Lady and commitment to serve the church.
We are grateful to Fr. Joseph Low for his hospitality and arrangement for our visit to Bentong and Triang. Besides meeting fellow legionaries in two places, we also met Fr. Thomas Loh, who is serving in Canada and back to Malaysia for some official business and holidays.
Praise the Lord.
(See more pictures in Facebook)
直凉是彭亨州内陆的一个小镇，离开文冬大约两个小时的车程。
在2009年，州政府意图征用及拆除已有85年历史的圣若望小教堂，引起全国的注意。当地的教友及非教友，在各地的天主教徒的支援下，展开强烈的抗议及反对。
在2-4-2009, 我也到了直凉做实地的了解情况。（参看旧帖子圣若望小教堂（1） 及 圣若望小教堂 （2）。
两年过去了，在当地的教友及支持者大力的捍卫下，经过冗长的协商，圣若望小教堂是被保住了。
根据一位教友领袖透露，州土地局已经答应不再发展该地，而将教堂的土地列为宗教膜拜用途。不过，一天没有正式的公文，他们都不敢掉以轻心。
目前他们计划重建教堂，并把需要的资料及文件呈上政府部门。假如重建获得批准，征用教堂土地的问题，才一劳永逸的给解决掉。
祈愿他们的愿望，能够早日实现。
我们在傍晚抵达直凉，受到当地教友的热烈欢迎，并以百乐晚餐招待。
过后，我们参加了该地新成立的『天主之母』圣母军支团的开会。
我很感动的见到他们对圣母的敬爱，及对教会奉献的精神。
这次的文冬-直凉行，非常感谢得到罗志明神父的接待，除了能够与两地的圣母军友见面，还见到了在加拿大服务，回来度假及办理一些事务的罗秀彪神父，真是感谢天主。
(更多照片Facebook)
Proposed new church 新教堂构想图
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