By Charles Bertille
KUALA LUMPUR — The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia-Singapore-Brunei (CBCMSB) opted for stability in the election of their office bearers at their recently concluded Conference. The term of office normally comes to an end after 2 years, and is renewable. However, the bishops decided to maintain most of the offices for two practical reasons.
Given the pandemic we are traversing, and that all dioceses, and parishes are grappling with the consequences, it is prudent to focus the energies on the on-going efforts of relief and rebuilding, being carried by various offices than on change of office-bearers.
Three major ecclesial events require our attention: the Synod of Bishops announced by Pope Francis and to be launched in our local dioceses on 17 October 2021. The Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences (FABC) 50th Anniversary gathering postponed to November 2022. The process will pass through the local churches or dioceses who are asked to study various emerging realities and propose how we can respond. The third is our homegrown Pan-Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026. It requires animation of parish, diocese, and regional assemblies if we are to succeed.
However, the sede vacant of the late Cardinal Cornelius Sim had to be filled. He was vice-president of the Conference and head of the regional Biblical and Social Communications commissions. The bishops are currently reviewing the work structure and secretariat to see how they can best respond to the changing context and draw closer to the needs of the people. There may be some reorganising taking place. As an example, the commission for Family, Laity and Life has been separated into two commissions: Family Life and Laity – that it can function more effectively.
The President, Bishop Sebastian Francis was re-elected by an easy majority. The new vice-President is Archbishop William Goh of Singapore. Archbishop Julian Leow remains the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia. Here is the list of the line-up:
CBCMSB Executive Body
President: Bishop Sebastian Francis, Penang
Vice President: Archbishop William Goh, Singapore
Episcopal Secretary: Bishop Richard Ng, Miri
Bishop Treasurer: Bishop Bernard Paul, Malacca Johore
Exe Secretary: Charles Bertille
Presidents of Commissions & Offices
- Biblical Commission: Bishop Richard Ng, Miri
- Social Communication: Archbishop William Goh, Singapore
- Family Life: Archbishop John Wong, Kota Kinabalu
- Bishop for Laity: Bishop Julius Gitom, Sandakan
- Consecrated Life: Archbishop William Goh, Singapore
- Caritas: Bishop Bernard Paul, Malacca Johore
- Creation Justice: Bishop Joseph Hii, Sibu
- Migrants & Itinerants (ECMI): Bishop Bernard Paul, Malacca Johore
- Diocesan Priests & Seminaries: Bishop Richard Ng, Miri
- Ecumenism & Inter-faith Affairs: Archbishop Julian Leow, Kuala Lumpur
- Youth & Campus Ministry: Archbishop Simon Poh, Kuching
- Liturgy: Bishop Sebastian Francis, Penang
- Pontifical Mission Societies / New Evangelisation: Archbishop Simon Poh, Kuching
- Healthcare: Bishop Cornelius Piong, Keningau
- Malaysian Catechetical Commission: Archbishop Julian Leow, Kuala Lumpur
- Malaysian Catholic Education: Archbishop Julian Leow, Kuala Lumpur
The bishops have scheduled a follow-up meeting on the Conference structure and secretariat. It will be facilitated by Archbishop Julian on 24 August morning. There will be further announcements after the meeting.
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