Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kuala Lumpur (Fides Service) - Today is an important day for Catholics in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, the community is celebrating two major events, the 50th anniversary of the diocese established 25 February 1955 and fifty years of priesthood of the Archbishop Dominic Vendargon now retired. Today is the culmination of jubilee celebrations which started a year ago.
“Harmony through Reconciliation is the theme chosen for a programme of celebrations including prayer, reflection ”. This morning at Putra sports ground in Kuala Lampur there was a cultural and spiritual event including musical and dance performances by children catechesis for children and a Marian prayer in the morning. In the afternoon there was time for the sacrament of Reconciliation before the closing solemn Mass in the presence of emeritus Archbishop Dominic Vendargon, present Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Murphy Pakiam, other Malaysian Bishops and the papal nuncio Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, who usually resides in Bangkok, Thailand.
“The Catholic community wishes to say and show that we are a united community of faith and hope and love, and that with our love we wish to serve others;” said Archbishop Pakiam. “As Catholics we strive to find what unites us to others rather than that which divides us”. This is why the jubilee slogan was “Harmony through Reconciliation”, to show that “Catholics want only to live in harmony with people of other beliefs”.
Some 20,000 people gathered at the sports ground for the event. Many were young people and many were non Christians. Also the civic authorities and diplomatic corps were represented. The archdiocese has grown in these 50 years since its foundation, today it has a population of 9 million of whom 92,000 are Catholics very active in social work and inter-religious dialogue in this mainly Muslim country.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/05/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 273)
