Father Lawrence hopes for country to 'open up'
Hafiz YatimPublished: Jan 21, 2015 4:30 PM | Updated: Jan 22, 2015 8:58 AM
The editor of the Catholic weekly Herald , Father Lawrence Andrew, has expressed hope that Malaysia will open up and accommodate the rights of religious minorities and minority communities in the country.
Expressing disappointment with today’s Federal Court decision in dismissing the Catholic Church's review of the court’s earlier decision banning the use of the term ‘Allah’ by the weekly, Lawrence believes other cases mounting such a constitutional challenge would come up.
UPDATED 5.40PM
'It must open up to fully accommodate minority rights.'
The editor of the Catholic weekly Herald, Father Lawrence Andrew, has expressed hope that Malaysia will open up and accommodate the rights of religious minorities and minority communities in the country.
Expressing disappointment with today’s Federal Court decision in dismissing the Catholic Church's review of the court’s earlier decision banning the use of the term ‘Allah’ by the weekly, Lawrence believes other cases mounting such a constitutional challenge would come up.
Describing this case as a very important constitutional case as it concerns the right to profess one's faith, he said the matter was pursued as it was also to ensure that “our people live in peace and harmony in this great country of ours, which we love very much”.
Lawrence added, "We hope and pray the rights of the minorities will not be trampled upon, that their rights will be taken as sacred because in our understanding, God cares for the poor, the oppressed and the marginalised as well and so we pray that minority rights become a concern.
"We also hope that our conscience will open up to the reality of the poor and the underprivileged. In the context of religious faith, the right to profess the faith of the minorities should always be respected."
Lawrence (right) added that there will be other similar constitutional cases coming up, although he declined to name them.
It is believed that he was referring to the Jill Ireland and Sidang Injil Borneo cases where decisions have been made by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, but are pending appeal.
Despite being barred from using the word ‘Allah’ in its Bahasa Malaysia publication, Lawrence said that they will continue to publish the weekly in Malay.
He noted that Malaysia has quite a number of Malay-speaking Catholics.
“Definitely, we have a sizeable number of bumiputera Christians in Sabah and Sarawak. In Semenanjung, we have Peranakan Nyonya Baba, we have Orang Asli, all of them need a means of communication (in Bahasa Malaysia).
“You can’t tell me not to use Bahasa. No one can say that it’s against the law of the country, against the crux of our nation, against the way of muhibbah, so we will continue to publish Herald in Malay.
He dismissed suggestions made by senior lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah in his submissions - that there would be unrest if the review was allowed - replying that Christians have been using Bahasa Malaysia for centuries in the country.
Federal Court throws out 'Allah' appeal
Apex court nays church's bid for bigger panel
Expressing disappointment with today’s Federal Court decision in dismissing the Catholic Church's review of the court’s earlier decision banning the use of the term ‘Allah’ by the weekly, Lawrence believes other cases mounting such a constitutional challenge would come up.
Describing this case as a very important constitutional case as it concerns the right to profess one's faith, he said the matter was pursued as it was also to ensure that “our people live in peace and harmony in this great country of ours, which we love very much”.
Lawrence added, "We hope and pray the rights of the minorities will not be trampled upon, that their rights will be taken as sacred because in our understanding, God cares for the poor, the oppressed and the marginalised as well and so we pray that minority rights become a concern.
"We also hope that our conscience will open up to the reality of the poor and the underprivileged. In the context of religious faith, the right to profess the faith of the minorities should always be respected."Lawrence (right) added that there will be other similar constitutional cases coming up, although he declined to name them.
It is believed that he was referring to the Jill Ireland and Sidang Injil Borneo cases where decisions have been made by the Kuala Lumpur High Court, but are pending appeal.
Despite being barred from using the word ‘Allah’ in its Bahasa Malaysia publication, Lawrence said that they will continue to publish the weekly in Malay.
He noted that Malaysia has quite a number of Malay-speaking Catholics.
“Definitely, we have a sizeable number of bumiputera Christians in Sabah and Sarawak. In Semenanjung, we have Peranakan Nyonya Baba, we have Orang Asli, all of them need a means of communication (in Bahasa Malaysia).
“You can’t tell me not to use Bahasa. No one can say that it’s against the law of the country, against the crux of our nation, against the way of muhibbah, so we will continue to publish Herald in Malay.
He dismissed suggestions made by senior lawyer Sulaiman Abdullah in his submissions - that there would be unrest if the review was allowed - replying that Christians have been using Bahasa Malaysia for centuries in the country.
Federal Court throws out 'Allah' appeal
Apex court nays church's bid for bigger panel
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