KOTA KINABALU (CS) – 170 participants converged for the Fellowship of Malaysian Covenant Community gathering at Kota Kinabalu on 4-6 Jul 2014, making it the largest participation since its inception two years ago.
Archbishop John Wong graced the FMCC Fellowship gathering with the Opening Eucharist and participated in the welcoming dinner on the first night, Jul 4.
BINTULU – Some 300 members of the Home Cell Groups attended a one-day recollection at Parkcity Everly Hotel Jul 5 to refresh themselves.
This was the 7th recollection and was conducted by Fr John Chia, from Limbang. He was assisted by Fr Michael Sia from Bintulu.
The theme chosen “I will make you the light” was taken from Prophet Isaiah 49:6.
TELUPID – Bishop Julius Gitom sealed the contract for the construction and completion of the proposed St Martin’s Pastoral Centre Jul 12.
Sunny Ng, signed on behalf of Syarikat Lintas Permai Enterprise of Sandakan, who was the successful bidder for the contract.
SANDAKAN – The Star of Yahweh Covenant Community (SYCC) conducted a 3-day Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) at St Mary’s Cathedral Jun 25-28. The seminar was open to all parishioners who are seeking for a personal renewal to deepen their relationship with Christ, and who wish to become a part of a community where they could be supported in their Christian life.
SANDAKAN – Eleven members of the Regional Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) for Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei convened at the Sandakan Diocesan Pastoral Centre for a three-day annual meeting on 23-25 June 2014.
JOHOR BAHRU – The 94th Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei (CBCMSB) took place on 7-11 July 2014 at Majodi Centre, Plentong.
All the 11 Arch/bishops in the region were present. Also present were Archbishop-elect Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur, Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam (Kuala Lumpur) and Bishop Emeritus James Chan (Melaka-Johor).
JOHOR BAHRU – In his address to the Arch/bishops at the opening session of the 94th Plenary Session of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei (CBCMSB) which took place at Majodi Centre, Plentong, from 7-11 July 2014, Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, Archbishop Marino said he was delighted to acknowledge the presence of Fr Julian Leow Beng Kim whom Pope Francis appointed as Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur on Jul 3.
He called on the CBC to welcome him and embrace him as a true brother as he carries out his ministry in the enormous vineyard of the Lord, now entrusted to him by the Pope.
VATICAN CITY, Jun 26, 2014 (VIS) – A press conference was held in the Holy See Press Office this morning to present the Instrumentum Laboris of the 3rd Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (5-19 October 2014) which will focus on “pastoral challenges to the family in the context of evangelisation”. The speakers were Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops; Cardinal Peter Erdo, archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest, Hungary, and relator general of the 3rd Extraordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops; Cardinal Andre Vingt-Trois, archbishop of Paris, France and delegate president; Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, and special secretary, and Professors Francesco Miano and Pina De Simone.
VATICAN RADIO/CS, Jul 3 – The Holy Father appointed Rev Julian Leow Beng Su Kim of Kuala Lumpur, Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, currently Dean of Studies and Trainer Major Seminary in Penang.
The Rev Julian Leow Beng Kim, was born January 3, 1964 in Seremban, Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur.
KUCHING – The Archbishop of Kuching, John Ha said Putrajaya has the power to lift the ‘Allah’ ban on HERALD after a recent judgment by the Federal Court which states otherwise. The fact that three out of a seven-man Federal Court bench gave dissenting judgments on the recent ‘Allah’ case is an indication there are cogent grounds for the decision to be reviewed by another panel of the apex court, said the Christian leader from Sarawak on 5 July 2014.
Archbishop John Ha of the Archdiocese of Kuching also said, given Putrajaya’s immediate statement to assure Christians that the ban was limited to the HERALD, and that the 10-point solution still stood, shows that the Federal government had the power to lift the ban on the use of the word ‘Allah’ in the Bahasa Malaysia section of the HERALD.