Avoid divisive rhetoric, respect all faiths, Kuching archbishop tells M’sians

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia (CBCM) has urged Malaysians to guard against prejudice and reject divisive political and religious language, while expressing sadness over an inappropriate joke told by an Umno division chief recently.

In a Malaysia Day message, Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh said jokes that demean religious figures have no place in any official assembly in Malaysia.

He was responding to a viral social media video showing Sepang Umno chief Noorazli Said sharing an “inappropriate priest and nun joke” during the party’s general assembly on Saturday.

Poh, the CBMC president, described the incident as hurtful to the Catholic community, noting that priests and nuns are held in high esteem.

“For generations, dedicated nuns have given their entire lives to running hospitals, welfare institutions, (and) schools that have served and educated Malaysians of all races and religions.

“It is entirely understandable that many citizens were offended and have called for legal action, a public apology, a retraction of the joke, and an adequate redress of this offence against public religious sensitivity,” he said in a statement.

Call for harmony and nation-building

Poh urged Malaysians to reject political or religious rhetoric that fractures the nation’s multiracial society.

“As fellow citizens, let us watch our words and guard our hearts against prejudice, hatred and stereotyping when referring to one another’s race, religion or community,” he said.

He also called on citizens to reflect on their shared identity as “anak-anak Malaysia”, “moving away from hostility toward kindness and sincere friendship”.

The statement was issued following a national-level Catholic pastoral convention held in Sibu, Sarawak, from Sept 9 to 13.

The gathering brought together 1,000 Catholic delegates, including cardinals, archbishops, bishops, priests, nuns and lay leaders from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, and touched on issues concerning family life, youth, ecology, welfare services and nation-building.

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