Sunday mass at churches in the Klang Valley proceeded smoothly and peacefully as the situation is worsen in other states with at least two more attempted arson attacks in Taiping and Malacca.

    

Chief priest James Ghanapirasagam at St John's Cathedral Bukit Nenas, among the biggest church in Kuala Lumpur, said despite a few incidents of church arson and attempted ones since Friday, mass at the church this morning went on as usual.

He said a number of police officers were stationed around the church area, giving the feeling that security was under control.

NONE "We are so thankful to the police and appreciate their responsibility in ensuring our safety during mass this morning.

"Of course we feel anxious after a few churches were attacked in the past few days. However, people still come to church," he told Bernama .

He hoped Malaysians would continue to respect each other although they had different religions and beliefs and ensure that peace and security would prevail.

    

He said every Sunday, the church held three mass sessions - 8am, 10.30am and 6pm.

Don't succumb to emotions

metro tabernacle church prayers at wisma mca crowd waving Micheal Joseph, 32, who was met after mass this morning said initially he was afraid to go to church but was relieved to see policemen around the church area.

"To me, the violent protest like of late should be avoided as the issue could be discussed amicably by the relevant parties. What is important is for us to have a more open mind," he said.

    

metro tabernacle church prayers at wisma mca crowd Another churchgoer, Charlene Clarisse, 33, said: "We have co-existed peacefully for a long time although we are of different races and religions. Therefore, we should not succumb to emotions as this can cause harm to others.”

"As members of the public, we should not create provocation and judge ourselves who is right or wrong in this case (use of the word 'Allah' in the Catholic weekly, Herald."

Solomon Pagar, 45, confessed he was worried about the situation as public order was being threatened.

    

metro tabernacle church prayers at wisma mca bn leaders "I was initially afraid to go to church but I believe there are laws to deal with the situation," he said.

Meanwhile, the the Metro Tabernacle Church, whose ground floor of its three-storey building in Desa Melawati was firebombed early Friday morning conducted its Sunday mass in a hall at the MCA headquarters ( photos above ).