Malacca Johore Diocese News Update #133

Jun 02, 2023

Greetings again dear people of God.

The rains are here. Reservoirs are getting filled. Parties unite? Allah divides? Politicians trying to interpret law. Ordinations in the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur and the Diocese of Malacca Johore. Vicariate level facilitators’ training and pastoral assemblies are gearing up. Coming soon is the Malaysian Religious Assembly 2023 or MRA2023.

Upsetting Times Again: As if veiled threats to the unity government are not enough, now the “Allah” issue storms into the recovering nation. Politicians have usurped the role of religious heads, theologians and scholars. They seek to divide and rule, and maintain a stranglehold on power wielding. But the people on the street are undisturbed. They go on with their daily routine, with their daily living and their interactions and intermingling. The drama is the same. The wayang never changes. The same script again and again. Uncertainties, meaninglessness and helplessness are upsetting. But do these upsets make us stronger? These words are from the overcomers: “I believe in the Sun even when it isn’t shining; I believe in love even when there’s no one there; I believe in God even when HE is silent.

A Thought for the Week: Five Legs
Lincoln was trying to make a point. His hearer was unconvinced and stubborn. So, Lincoln tried another tack. He said to the disputer, “Well, let’s see now. How many legs does a cow have?” The disgusted reply came back “Four, of course.” Lincoln agreed, “That’s right. Now, suppose you call the cow’s tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?” The opponent replied confidently, “Why, five, of course.” Lincoln came back, “Now that’s where you’re wrong. Calling a cow’s tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg!” A Lesson from Lincoln: Truth does not change shape. It does not compromise. We can overlook it when we have made up our minds about what it is. What is required is courage: courage to search and courage to teach.

Announcements for this Week

1. A seminar on Building Resilient, Low-Carbon Communities by Creation Justice Commission of MJD will be held on June 10 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. To register, scan the QR code or click on the link: http://bitly.ws/FzL3.

2. The Memorial Mass for the late Bishop James Chan is planned for Monday, July 31 at 6.00pm in MAJODI Centre, with dinner and exhibition to journey down memory lane. Please register for both Mass and dinner using the link provided.

3. Coming from August 7- 11, Fr Augustine Tsang SJ, from Fu Jen University Taiwan, will be introducing the Spirituality of St Theresa of Lisieux at St Theresa Melaka, St Mary Air Salak, St Joseph Plentong, Sacred Heart Cathedral, JB & Church of Divine Mercy, Skudai.

This Week’s Question and Query.

The Q asks: Again the “Allah” issue? What is this about?

1. The Malaysian Consultative Council of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST) in its statement on May 19, 2023 outlines these facts:

a) that most of the states have passed enactments which prohibit the use of 20-40 words by non-Muslims. The Selangor State Government had passed Enactment 1, on June 28, 1988, banning non-Muslims from using 25 words (Allah, Firman Allah, Ulama, Hadith, Ibadah, Kaabah, Kadi, Illahi, Wali, Mubaligh, Syariah, Qiblat, Haj, Mufti, Rasul, Iman, Dakwah, Wahyu, Injil, Salat, Khalifah, Fatwa, Imam, Nani and Sheikh) in our everyday use.

b) that the move is to control or restrict the propagation of any religious doctrine or belief among persons professing the religion of Islam.

2. The MCCBCHST argues that there must be propagation of any religious doctrine to Muslims to warrant a prohibition. But there is no propagation, as these words are for one’s own learning. Hence Section 9 of the State Enactment is unconstitutional.

3. The MCCBCHST, an inter-faith council, has urged the PM and the cabinet to protect the rights of all Malaysians in line with the Federal Constitution; and declare as unconstitutional existing state laws that impose a blanket ban on the use of words such as “Allah” by non-Muslims. Continue to pray for common sense, a sense of constitutionality and a sense of a Malaysian Malaysia.

The obstacle is the way. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way. (Marcus Aurelius). In all situations, keep your eyes on Jesus, He will keep us afloat. Take care. God always makes a way. Till the next F12, God bless.

Bishop Bernard Paul