Christians urged to rejoice in hope amid adversity

Catholic Bishop Dr Paul Tan Chee Eng called on Christians “to put two years of foreboding caused by corrosive doubt over their fidelity to constitution and country behind them and embrace the hope of change and national renewal.”

In a year-end message to Christians celebrating Christmas and New Year, the head of the Catholic Church in the Melaka-Johor diocese, said:

“Christmas is the season of hope which is why though Christians feel that their loyalty to the constitution and country has been unfairly questioned over the last two years, I pray their predisposition to hope will overcome the challenges posed by political demagogues and religious charlatans.”

The Jesuit-trained prelate has been vocal on issues affecting Christians in the year drawing to an end after his assumption of the presidency of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia on Jan 1, 2011.

Catholics number 927,000 in a Christian population that is slightly over 9% of Malaysia’s total of 27.5 million people.

Bishop Paul observed that the last two years have been particularly trying for Christians as, first, the Catholic Church was at odds with the authorities over the right to use the term ‘Allah’ in their Bahasa Malaysia publications; and, later, Christian groups were accused, on dubious grounds, of proselytising among Muslims and of working to dethrone Islam as the country’s official religion.

“The combined effect of the two issues has left Christians with the feeling that they are a sinister and alien presence in this country when the truth is more nearly that in the education, health, and welfare fields, their contributions have been and continue to be of great benefit to the nation,” said Bishop Paul Tan.

Troubling times for Christian community

He urged Christians to imbue themselves with the spirit of Christmas which he said was to “cherish peace and goodwill, and to be plenteous in mercy.”

“A Christian is a person of hope, which means he or she believes in being patient in times of tribulation while persevering in prayer and redemptive effort.

“These are troubling times for the Christian community and the country at large, but because of a star that rose in Bethlehem two millennia ago, Christians nurture the hope that its gleam will redeem not only themselves but also the world,” said Bishop Paul Tan.

He reminded Christians that more than gifts and feasting, Christmas “holds its place in the hearts of humankind because they know that love is the greatest thing in the world.”