22.3.2007

Archbishop Murphy Pakiam appointed to the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue

Vatican : Pope Benedict XVI has appointed new members to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. The Vatican press office made the announcement on March 8. Archbishop Murphy Pakiam together with 18 other members has been appointed to the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (PCID)

The PCID was instituted on Pentecost Sunday, 1964, by Pope Paul VI. It is the central office of the Catholic Church for the promotion of interreligious dialogue in accordance with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, in particular the declaration Nostra Aetate. Its responsibilities are to promote mutual understanding, respect and collaboration between Catholics and the followers of others religious traditions; to encourage the study of religions and to promote the formation of persons dedicated to dialogue. –Zenit-Herald.

On another front, the Article 11 coalition, to which CLS is a member, has launched a video series to raise public awareness about its mission and objectives to uphold the Federal Constitution, and to counter misinformation about it.

The English and Malay VCDs explain what the coalition is and includes a forum in which four Malaysians discuss the issue of Islamisation and constitutional governance.

The Article 11 videos will be made available at www.article11.org and on other popular websites. Article 11 is also encouraging the public to copy and distribute the videos themselves. The issues of concern raised by Article 11 last year remain pertinent in the light of the latest Court of Appeal judgment in the R. Subashini case.

Sisters in Islam said Muslims should support Article 11’s objectives, adding that Islam exhorts justice. When court decisions result in injustice for non-Muslims, even more so, Muslims should speak out.

Women’s Aid Organisation said the coalition had, since last June, made six written requests to meet Abdullah but had yet to receive any response.

Contributed by Annou Xavier © 2007.