Bishops ask faithful to pray for peace and reconciliation in post-GE14 message

PETALING JAYA – The Malaysian Bishops’ Conference have asked the people to pray for peace and reconciliation in their Post-General Election 14 message dated 12 May 2018, entitled: “Rakyat has spoken, Syabas.”  Below is the full text.

Rakyat has spoken, Syabas

Dear People of God,

We have exercised our democratic right and duty to cast our vote on May 9, 2018.

The Rakyat has spoken. History has been created against all odds. Malaysia has the golden opportunity now to press the “Reset” button. The future is in the hands of the Rakyat.

We, the Malaysian Catholic Bishops, would like to give Praise and Thanks to God for a relatively peaceful GE14 without much incidents. We are grateful and thankful for a mature electorate which has come of age. To all the Election Commission officials, the Polling and Counting Agents (PACAs), the thousands of volunteers and responsible citizens assisting in the background, “Syabas” for an almost incident-free Election.

This was possible because many came out of their ‘comfort zones’ to sacrifice and toil much to make a better Malaysia where freedom and justice are ensured to all. Everyone is enabled to live in peace and harmony without suspicion of one another as fellow citizens — a New Malaysia has emerged! Many people have expressed sentiments of joy in being Malaysian first. This is indeed God’s grace given freely to all!

This was also manifested during the course of this Election. We have witnessed Humility and the seeking of Forgiveness for past mistakes. We have seen Reconciliation offered and received; observed Graciousness in defeat; a love for Peace and Harmony for this country. Let us put into practice more and more the values of the Gospel.

“As long as we love one another, God will live in us and His love will be complete in us.” (I John 4:12)

We all need to continue to pray for Malaysia. We must pray for Healing and Unity among all of us including the Church.

Let the Church also press the “Reset” button and be a Malaysian Church. It is time for us to walk the talk and move away from language divided churches and live this unity in reality. Let us be inclusive. Let us be creative. Let us be bridge builders. Let us build a Malaysian church for a Malaysian Malaysia.

We want to pray for Blessings and Prosperity for all Malaysians.

We would like to propose a time of Prayer and Thanksgiving for our beloved nation during any of these nine days of Novena before Pentecost between May 12-20 or any other suitable day in May, the month of Our Mother Mary. Possibilities are:

• A Mass of Thanksgiving be offered
• A Holy Hour of Adoration and Prayer
• A prayer intention for ‘Peace in our country Malaysia’ during the community/ family rosary prayers
• A personal commitment to be an instrument of Peace & Unity

May the love of God and the love for this Nation, keep us Malaysians united in Love.

“God is Love and whoever lives in Love, lives in God, and God lives in him.” (1 John 4:16)

Dated: May 12, 2018

Signed by

+ Most Reverend Julian Leow, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur

+ Most Reverend Simon Poh, Archbishop of Kuching

+ Most Reverend John Wong, Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu

+ Rt. Reverend Bernard Paul, Bishop of Malacca-Johore

+ Rt. Reverend Cornelius Piong, Bishop of Keningau

+ Rt Reverend Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang

+ Rt Reverend Julius Dusin Gitom, Bishop of Sandakan

+ Rt Reverend Joseph Hii, Bishop of Sibu

+ Rt Reverend Richard Ng, Bishop of Miri