JOHOR BAHRU: The new Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia- Singapore-Brunei, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, addressing the Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CBC) of the region for the first time, commended their “evangelical zeal” in promoting ecumenism and interreligious dialogue. Speaking at the biennial meeting of the Conference in Majodi Centre on July 4, Archbishop Girelli, who is the papal representative to the region and non-resident pontifical representative to Vietnam, said, “Your evangelical zeal is also manifested by the evident efforts in the fields of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, particularly in the dialogue with Islam.” He said, “You have also played a very important role in encouraging processes of mutual understanding and reconciliation.”

The 88th Plenary Meeting of the CBC which began July 4 and ended on July 8 was chaired by Archbishop John Ha who is the vice-president. Bishop Paul Tan Chee Ing, SJ, who is president, was present at the opening of the conference but could not stay for the sessions because he was recuperating from a recent operation. The Apostolic Delegate also told the Conference that he had personally witnessed the evangelical spirit of the Church in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei which was expressed in many ways. In fact, he said, the Holy See and the whole Church are grateful for the work of evangelization in South-East-Asia, adding, “The increasing number of baptisms is a sign of tireless efforts to instruct the people of God in the word of God and in the life based on sacraments.” He told the Arch/bishops that their evangelical zeal is also manifested by the evident efforts in the fields of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, particularly in the dialogue with Islam.

Archbishop Girelli also conveyed the Holy See’s gratitude for the services they provided to the faithful in general in the areas of education, medical care and social needs, as well as for their generosity in works of charity. He also pointed out that one of the key elements that characterized and explained the vitality of the Church in Asia is Unity: unity among bishops, unity of all the pastoral workers — priests, religious and laity, unity and collaboration between individual dioceses and the Episcopal Conferences, unity and collaboration between the Church in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei and the Holy See. He emphasized that in the context of unity, the relationship between the local dioceses and the Episcopal Conference was vital. According to the tradition of the Church emphasized by the Second Vatican Council and the Code of Canon Law, he said, the bishop is the person responsible for his diocese.

He further explained that the bishop is the head of the community of God and therefore the basis of unity in the diocese, adding that “the bishop cannot act in isolation.” “The existence of the Episcopal Conferences as a sign of unity among bishops in the same nation or region has proved to be of great importance in the pastoral activities of individual bishops,” he asserted. According to Archbishop Girelli, any Episcopal Conference cannot pretend to curb the power and responsibility of the bishop.

That is why, he said, a Bishops’ conference does not assume the governance of a diocese as a substitute for the bishop. He stressed that the Episcopal Conference is there to assure continuity and serves as a forum in which the bishops can discuss and formulate common policies on issues that have implications wider than those that concern a specific diocese. Touching on unity in the Church, Archbishop Girelli says that the Church demands that there be collaboration between bishops and the Holy See. He was contented to note that the Church in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei has manifested its bond with the Apostolic See in many ways.

The 58-year-old Apostolic Delegate, currently based at the Apostolic Nunciature in Singapore, assured the Bishops of his availability and the availability of this Pontifical Representation in promoting collaboration and unity of the Church. “I shall do whatever falls under my capacity and competence to serve the Church in this region,” he affirmed. Discussing his tasks ahead with his new and challenging assignments, the Archbishop said, “I have much to learn from you and about your concerns and I will appreciate the help of each one of you to make me know, understand and love this rich mosaic of cultures and diverse situations that you serve with such dedication.”

He conveyed to the Bishops the greetings of Pope Benedict XVI whom he had met prior to taking up his post in Singapore last March. He said the Holy Father had asked him to “assure you of His closeness to each one of you and to all your collaborators in your respective dioceses: priests, men and women religious, catechists, lay apostolate movements and to the entire people of God entrusted to your pastoral care.” — By Vincent D’Silva