Sabah bishop: Christians in Malaysia ‘facing threats’
Joe Leong, The Ant Daily
Although every Malaysian has the right to profess and practise his religion as enshrined in the Federal Constitution, Christians somehow feel they are under threats and at the same time, feel powerless in overcoming such an unfavourable situation.
This point was highlighted by Bishop Datuk Cornelius Piong, head of the Catholic Diocese of Keningau covering the interior region of Sabah, in his Christmas message released by his office here.
Commenting on challenges faced by Christians today, the bishop took note of the violent persecutions suffered by them in Middle East countries like Iraq and Syria.
“In our country of 1Malaysia, we are facing threats, both openly and slyly, because we are Christians,” he said.
In recognition of such threats, Bishop Cornelius would usually remind members of his flock thus, “We don’t have the power and the money to overcome the threats. There are times when our poor people are tempted to disown Jesus (who Christians profess as their Saviour) for some Ringgit Malaysia.”
He urged his followers to enter into a deeper level of commitment, saying if they were convinced and committed that Jesus was their strength and wisdom, then they must heed his assurance that even in the midst of hardship they could find peace.
Touching on the celebration of Christmas, Bishop Cornelius said it is not just one of the celebrations in the country, but it is important for them to be convinced in what they do, say and celebrate at Christmas.
Advising them that the right wish for the occasion is “Happy Christmas”, a greeting signifying the love of God expressed in the birth of Jesus, he stressed, “Let us not be drowned in or be intoxicated with the worldly Christmas celebration in our midst.”
Although Bishop Cornelius did not specify cases of threats to Christians in the country, he was certainly aware that only earlier this month a local daily brought to light the case of Christian students from a secondary school here in Keningau who were barred from wearing the crucifix.
