The newly elected President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (CBCMSB), and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) share their thoughts on their new leadership roles.
Appointment as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (CBCMSB)
Archbishop Julian Leow of Kuala Lumpur
As President of the Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei I hope that the deliberations and decisions we as Bishops make can be followed through by all the Commissions concerned. We should collaborate with other commissions and leverage on the strength of each other.
Structures are important to give a framework of how decisions are made and carried out. There should be competent persons to carry out and follow through systematically these decisions until fruition.
I hope to see the CBC-MSB play her role at the Asian as well as the Universal level. This Conference of three tiny countries, has had a cardinal from each plus another for Malaysia just a week ago totalling four Cardinals, two having left us all too soon. I envisage CBC-MSB will contribute to the Church in Asia in particular with active Bishop participation in various commissions.
Being a small Conference, we must also look out for the little ones in our midst. Safeguarding minors and the vulnerable are high on our list of concerns. The care for the poor and those at the margins must also be brought to the centre of our attention and focus.
I pray CBC-MSB will continue to play our role in the universal stage of the world as well as paying detailed attention to the needs of the vulnerable among us. We journey together with a heart open to ecological conversion to protect and respect Mother Earth.
Appointment as President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM)
Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching
We realise that the Church in Malaysia is living in a time of great challenges. The last three years of pandemic have brought much suffering and hardship to the poor families. The changing climate with longer dry period and stronger storms are affecting the crops. In addition, the uncertain future and political situation have experienced a rise in fundamentalism where politics of race and religion are threatening to destabilise the government and economy.
My desire is that the Catholic Church in Malaysia – in collaboration with Christians and people of goodwill from all faiths – will contribute towards nation building. May we build a Malaysia where the rights and liberty of every citizen – irrespective of race, culture, faith and beliefs – are upheld and respected, as enshrined in the Rukun Negara, with the following ambitions:
- Achieving and fostering better unity amongst the society;
- Preserving a democratic way of life;
- Creating a just society where the prosperity of the country can be enjoyed together in a fair and equitable manner;
- Ensuring a liberal approach towards the rich and varied cultural traditions;
- Building a progressive society that will make use of science and modern technology.
With the Catholic Bishops of Sabah, Sarawak and Semenanjung, our Catholic Church is committed to work for peace and harmony and to respond to this current climate crisis today. We will exercise our spiritual and moral leadership to contribute to the common good of all peoples and our tanah air Malaysia.
Source on Rukun Negara from Malaysian Information Portal: https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30110
 and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) share their thoughts on their new leadership roles.){kind=link}