Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Ing welcomed the apology tendered today by Sinar Harian, the Malay daily that portrayed Christianity as encouraging free sex and prostitution in a column it ran on the Christian movement a day earlier.

NONE“Christians should receive that apology with heartfelt relief,” said the head of the Catholic Church in the Melaka-Johor diocese.

“I’m a follower of a religion whose founder urged us to forgive not just seven times but 70 times seven times,” quoted the Jesuit-trained prelate in remarks to Malaysiakini after being told of the apology by the daily.

“In other words, Christ’s commandment that we forgive those who after having wronged us apologise when their error or transgressions have been pointed out to them must be followed in the letter and spirit,” he remarked.

Let cool heads prevail

sinar harian on christian movement aims july 23 2011“As human beings we make mistakes but once these have been pointed out to us, we must recant and apologise.

"May we never be wise above measure or sobriety, but we must cultivate truth in charity,” intoned Bishop Paul Tan.

“Sinar Harian has often times been a lively paper on politics and ought to keep their eyes on that ball and not veer into areas where it may not be all that knowledgeable,” observed the bishop.

“I grant that the issue of apostasy from Islam is troubling to some quarters but to resort to a distorted portrayal of Christian teachings exacerbates the situation rather than alleviates matters,” he opined.

“Cooler counsels should prevail in tackling issues of an inter-religious nature. Any blackballing of a religion would worsen the situation,” he concluded.


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