Clergy discuss challenges facing the country in CAPA

Feb 06, 2015

PORT DICKSON (Herald Malaysia): The current challenges facing the social landscape in our country calls for involvement from all strata of society, and this was among the topics of discussion during the Clergy Annual Pastoral Assembly (CAPA) held from 20 to 22 January.

Themed Mission Towards Transforming Humanity, the CAPA was attended by the priests from the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Also present were Archbishops Emeriti Soter Fernandez and Murphy Pakiam, together with Archbishop Julian Leow.

CAPA 2015 began with an assessment of what the faithful expect of the clergy. Many expectations were voiced out, among which was how the clergy are often placed on a pedestal by the laity and, at the same time, expected to function like `supermen'. The clergy also assessed the situation of their respective parishes and expressed how they hoped to transform and improve their parish.

During the main sessions, which were presented by a team from Community Action Network (CAN), the clergy were given an overview of some of the situations that we are facing as a country political, social or familial. Interactive exercises were carried out which enabled the clergy to have a glimpse of how to handle certain social issues. While such exercises were seen as helpful, the clergy also considered how much and how far the priest and the parish could get involved, especially when it involved people of other faiths and other ethnic groups.

The last day of CAPA saw an exchange of ideas amongst the clergy and archbishops, for a 10-year plan/ vision for the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention 4.

Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai, the parish priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart, in sharing what transpired during the recent CAPA, said that what concerned the local Church is the lack of effort in evangelisation to reach out to others. Another concern of the presbyterium is the diminishing number of priests, especially in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, who need to care for the pastoral needs of the growing Catholic population.

Touching on evangelisation efforts, Fr Chris said the Peninsular Malaysia Church, had long agreed (in 1976) to have the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs), small groups of Catholics converging to meet once a month for Word sharing to deepen their faith and to reach out in mission.

Fr Chris said, as Christians, we need to reach out and share and witness our faith to others. "We must become the beacon of light to others."

During CAPA, Archbishop Julian Leow also made some announcements: Two New Vicars General have been appointed to replace the outgoing ones, Msgr. Daniel Lim and Msgr. James Gnanapiragaam.

They are Fr Mitchel Anthony and Fr Leonard Lexson.

Fr Lucas Ng, CDD is the Vicar for Religious.

Fr Joe Pereira has been appointed Chancellor. He replaces Fr Jestus Pereira.

Others appointed to the College of Consultors are: Fr Clarence Devadass, Fr Christopher W. Soosaipillai, Fr Albet Arockiasamy and Fr Michael Chua.