Malaysian bishops meeting with government, Muslim leaders following attacks on churches

January 12, 2010

Lamenting the recent attacks against churches and other Christian buildings, the bishops of Malaysia have noted that “meetings with civil authorities and dialogue with Muslim leaders are ongoing and will continue in the coming days. We must act in harmony and seek the necessary cooperation of the government and the high religious authorities in order to restore a peaceful environment to Malaysian society.”

Christians, they added, “will work and will do everything possible to keep calm, not retaliate, and pray to avoid a dangerous escalation of the violence.” In addition, “groups of moderate Muslims have taken turns guarding churches to avoid further acts of violence,” according to the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

The nation of 27.7 million is 60% Muslim, 19% Buddhist, 6% Hindu, 6% Protestant, and 3% Catholic.

 

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Further information:

• Bishops' Conference calls for the need to “defuse the conflict that fundamentalist groups are trying to ignite in the nation” (Fides)
• Malaysia: 9 Christian institutions attacked (CWN, 1/11)