Cardinal Fernandez will boost ties between communities
CONGRATULATORY messages continue to pour in for Cardinal Tan Sri Anthony Soter Fernandez from communities and countries.
He is the first cardinal from Malaysia and it is a fitting recognition and honour for the millions of Christians, especially Catholics, in our country.
Fernandez is a leader with a mission and vision, and his appointment by the papacy will serve Catholics, Christians and the country well.
Many of the 17 cardinals Pope Francis had chosen this time come from smaller countries. Malaysian Catholics have long hoped for greater recognition by the Holy See, and now it has been rewarded.
Malaysia had, only last year, sent its first envoy, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, to the Vatican to begin diplomatic ties with the country.
This bodes well for Malaysia and will lead to greater goodwill, interaction and understanding among religious communities, especially between Christians and Muslims.
These two events — the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and the Vatican, and the selection of Fernandez as cardinal — could herald a papal visit to Malaysia at the invitation of the government.
It will be beneficial for the government to extend such an invitation.
Malaysia is one of the few countries the Pope has not visited. The nation’s Christians, especially Catholics, will be delighted to see the Pope on Malaysian soil, embracing and shaking hands with people, not only Christians, but also of other faiths.
Pope Francis has been vocal on political and socio-economic issues, especially those concerning the widening gap between the rich and the poor, the environment and other problems, and world leaders acknowledge his contributions, comments and insights.
He has been an active campaigner for multi-religious acceptance and seeks to mend relations between Christians and Muslims, mainly brought about by military interventions of the West in the Middle East nations.
He has also spoken on the issue of the Middle Eastern refugees migrating to Europe and has called on Christian nations to be more sympathetic and caring.
A papal visit will enable Pope Francis to know Malaysia’s racial and religious diversity, and the Pope, who is the leader of Catholics, could become a supporter of the moderation concept initiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to prevent religious extremism, misunderstanding and conflicts.
Malaysia is unique in the world. Even though the majority population is Muslim, the percentage of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists, is high, possibly the highest in the world as compared with the population of 32 million.
Talking of religious acceptance and tolerance, there has been, of late, a sense of concern in the Christian community in Peninsular Malaysia that local authorities and others want Christmas decorations and celebrations to be toned down.
There are restrictions on carolling. Many city and district councils hardly put up Christmas decorations,
placing the traditional biretta hat on ceremony to install 17 cardinals at Saint Peter’s Basilica at
unlike for other festivals.
Christmas decorations in malls and shopping complexes are a major draw for locals and tourists.
However, the federal and state governments should be complimented
for continuing the tradition of the Christmas open house, which continues to shower goodwill and understanding for the wellbeing of our country.
Malaysians need to take note that
Reuters pic
during a Christians have always been loyal and patriotic, and have contributed to the development of the country.