Bridging relationships with people of other faiths

En Sukri, the head of the National Unity and National Integration Department – Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN) – of Wilayah Persekutuan and his assistant En Ramli bin Ngah, together with their convoy consisting of 50 persons (comprising Malays, Indians and Chinese) visited St Joseph’s Church on Saturday, September 8 at 11.30am.

Sep 27, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: En Sukri, the head of the National Unity and National Integration Department – Jabatan Perpaduan Negara dan Integrasi Nasional (JPNIN) – of Wilayah Persekutuan and his assistant En Ramli bin Ngah, together with their convoy consisting of 50 persons (comprising Malays, Indians and Chinese) visited St Joseph’s Church on Saturday, September 8 at 11.30am.

Their main objective was to forge a friendly and harmonious relationship with residents of the neighbourhood, initiate religious exposure programmes for their staff and dialogue among the main religions in Wilayah Persekutuan, Kuala Lumpur. This exposure programme is part of their department’s preparation for Malaysia Day celebrations on Sept 16.

Prior to visiting the church, they had paid visits to the Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu temples in Sentul.

They were welcomed by parish priest Fr George Packiasamy and the Parish Ministry for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs (PMEIA) members headed by Eleanor.

After welcoming them with some refreshments at our church hall, everyone immediately adjourned for a dialogue and Q&A session.

Fr George briefed the visitors on the establishment of the Church of St Joseph and her history. The visitors then asked questions pertaining to Christianity and our beliefs. Among the issues raised were: “Why are there so many different denominations and sects of Christianity? Who is Jesus Christ? Why is there a Pope and what is the role of the Vatican?”

During this session, they also enquired about the works of charity undertaken in the parish. Fr George explained the role of our Parish Integral Human Development Ministry (PIHDM), highlighting in particular their fortnightly outreach to the poor and the annual School Uniform campaign. He emphasised that the outreach includes all races, including the migrants and refugees.

After this dialogue session, a few representatives from the parish were invited to Masjid Al-Hidayah, which is just 500 metres away.
The Ustaz, political leaders and priests from the Hindu, Taoist and Buddhist temples were also present at the mosque. After the speeches by various guests, all were invited to fellowship and lunch.

The PMEIA in the Church of St Joseph was formed a couple of months ago and this meeting with the JPNIN is their second project. Next year, the Parish mission will be on Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue as part of our mission towards New Evangelisation 2020. It is good that the PMEIA has started off on the right foot, having established the necessary connections and must now continue to build the unity bridge with people of other faiths in the vicinity. -- stjosephsentul.org

Total Comments:0

Name
Email
Comments