Skip to main content

Galileo-Catholic church affair: must history repeat at Malaysia’s St Francis Xavier church?

By Jay Ihsan* 

Christianity is the enemy of liberation and civilization -August Bebel
Christianity taught men that love is worth more than intelligence -Jacques Maritain
Real Christianity can be summed up in two commands: Love God and love people. - Joyce Meyer
Pious XI was too neutral to mention the gas chambers; decent people like my own family were turned into devils by crude Christianity - Lionel Blue

Religious doctrines cannot escape the liberty of thoughts and expression. To each their own, so it is said. From all things nice to all things that make one cringe - religion is polarised and in this regard, Christianity has over time faced the wrath of bigotry espoused by those "bequeathed" to protect it.
Take Pope Francis for example. He had a secret meeting with giant pharma Pfizer chief executive officer Albert Bourla last year while the world struggled to make sense of the word "lockdown" and suffer adverse effects of the Corona virus vaccines produced by Pfizer.
On his part, Francis proclaimed that getting jabbed with the Covid-19 was an "act of love" and a "moral obligation".
Devout Catholics took Francis' words as the 'gospel truth" and rolled up their sleeves for the Covid-19 inoculation. The result - some suffered unanticipated agony which affected their health while many others died after being vaccinated.
“Thanks” to Pope Francis, the pharma company pocketed $8.8 billion from its killer Covid-19 vaccines and $8.1 billion from its oral medication Paxlovid.
Dare Francis now do right by the Bible and make amends for misleading Catholics? Or has he like India's prime minister Narendra Modi the audacity to lie and lay all blame on the people for making a foolish decision to take the Covid-19 shot in an attempt to escape culpability?
Absconding from accountability is not new to the Vatican. Pope Francis however forgets that doubling down on hypocrisy is no less contagious with “pandemic” proportions, as evident both in the world western and Asian countries.
A 2021 survey, with watershed revelations, shows that for the first time, fewer than half of people in England and Wales describe themselves as Christian.
The proportion of those who identified themselves as Christian was 46.2 percent, down from 59.3 percent in the last census in 2011.
Should the Pope have sleepless nights over this? Yes if his remark that “Christianty is not a spirituality but a way of life” is not mere rhetoric.

Harm to Christian faith continues

In the meantime, churches throughout the world find themselves being rejected by the people. For Malaysia’s St Francis Xavier churchgoers, the unbridled power abuse and thuggery taking place has left them both scared and disenchanted.
It is said that the current parish priest enjoys absolute freedom to hire and remove staff. When vows like chastity, poverty and obedience become a laughing stock, it is time both the faith and church undergo healing and redemption.
When www.counterview.in on November 29 published an article "Zakir Naik tumult, Catholic Church power abuse: will Anwar Ibrahim save Malaysia" the silence adopted by church top guns was and remains a baffled deafening.
Both Archbishop Julian Leow and Bishop Bernard Paul made no effort to counter the damning allegations made by a churchgoer against St Francis Xavier parish priest Moses Rayappan for abuse of power and disrespecting vows of celibacy and chastity.
Bishop Bernard Paul, who heads the Malaccca-Johor Diocese (Majodi) instead once told a churchgoer that the "church is political and to go with the flow".
The Bishop's remark that "church is political' is no less a loose cannon. Is he implying that the Catholic church enjoys political patronage or that the Catholic church is law unto itself and beyond reproach?
Whatever the “message” may be, the stubborn refusal to deal with malfeasance taking place at the St Francis Xavier church in Malacca has created a skid row situation forcing committed churchgoers to skip mass in a hostile environment.
How much more damage has to take place before church top guns turn conscientious? Must the parish and staff suffer in silence given the present day climate of fear and reprisal?
Does democracy and rule of law not apply to houses of worship? Are churches, gurdwaras, mosques and temples devoid of dignity?
Going by the disregard from the Catholic church bigwigs, redemption is hardly a safe bet, unlike politics of the day which have kept the church “busy”.
The Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM) is one case in point. Its secretary-general Jonathan Jesudas promptly responded to a call by a state ruler that politicians stop playing the race card to instigate Malaysians.
CCM was just as quick to reject accusations made by former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin of a covert agenda to “Christianise” the country.
Why the zero concern from CCM and the Christian Federation of Malaysia (comprising the Roman Catholic Church, CCM and National Evangelical Christian Fellowship) when it comes to animal abuse? Whatever happened to the Bible’s espouse of be the “voice for the voiceless”?
While CCM and the Catholic church unabashedly choose to ignore the perils in their backyard vis-à-vis the power abuse at St Francis Xavier church, the rot continues.
Is the fact that the Catholic church in Malaysia comes under the spiritual leadership of the Vatican ie. the Pope reason enough for Bishop Bernard Paul and the CFM to feel embolden and dismiss the misgovernment taking place at St Francis Xavier church?
What will it take for the CFM chairperson, Archbishop Julian Leow to intervene and instill confidence in churchgoers that the church remains a safe and dedicated place to profess love and commitment to the Christian faith?

Church’s toxic cancelling culture

When the church in all its high-handedness adopts the pernicious cancelling culture by shutting down communication as a show of vindictiveness in rejecting constructive criticism or even condemnation coming its way, where does it leave those are trying to reach out to it for help?
Is playing judge, jury and executioner a new role employed by the church?
Why the disdain in extending a helping hand to the voiceless? In this regard, both Father Lionel Thomas, the present parish priest of St. Peter’s church and nun Santhamary Ganapragasam of the Infant Jesus Sisters order could do good to remember that a sense of entitlement has no place in any faith or religion?
Why the haughtiness in living up to the vows taken? Claims of “charity” and “kindness” as made by the Catholic church in favour of nun Shantamary when she took her final profession of vows in 2016 remain baseless given her apathy towards both people and animals?
As for priest Lionel Thomas, the meagre concern offered to the “voiceless” as was the case with the dogs’ at the Good Shepherd Catholic Seminary( which comes under the purview of St Peter’s Church) does not warrant any appreciation.
But yes, as an activist friend reminded me that the church can be both nasty and vengeful with its mafia-style reign and cautioned that I not risk life and limb in disclosing the misdeeds taking place, I am troubled by the hubris and greed that so can easily inflict a man of God.
How long before the church accepts that it is time for “deliverance” and in all humility puts an end to cronyism and misuse of authority plaguing it remains a mystery.
Even Galileo, one of the founders of modern science, was not spared by the Catholic church for staying true to his belief that earth revolves around the sun, which the church denounced and deemed heretical.
Should history be forced to repeat itself by the church? Is attaining infamy for vile indulgences the Catholic church’s be-all-and-end-all agenda?
Not surprising then that church goers refuse to publicly share their concerns about the tyranny and mismanagement the church indulges in, fearing both safety and persecution from the top leadership.
Know that while Galileo fearing torture relented to the Catholic church's wishes, he however stayed defiant and muttered, ‘all the same, it moves’ as he was led out of the court.
It took over three centuries before the Catholic church finally came to its senses when in 1992 it conceded that Galileo was telling the truth, 359 years later!
Should the Galileo-Catholic church narrative serve unequivocally as an everlasting reminder and lesson for the Catholic church, to remind it that pomposity and arrogance are no virtues worth defending? Yes but with the church in all sincerity embracing modesty and courage to admit malpractices.
In the case of the 166-year-old St Francis Xavier church in Malacca, Malaysia's most dependable state in generating revenue through tourism, only time will show just how valued and respected the Catholic church is to those entrusted to care and protect its sanctity.

Comments

TRENDING

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

India’s macroeconomic resilience amidst global fragility: facts, factors, forecasts

By IMPRI Team  Under the series, The State of the Economy – #EconDialogue , Center for the Study of Finance and Economics (CSFE), IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi organized #WebPolicyTalk, a distinguished lecture on the topic India’s Macroeconomic Resilience amidst Global Fragility: Facts, Factors and Forecasts, by Dr Deepak Mishra. Dr Deepak Mishra is the Director and Chief Executive of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) , New Delhi. The session was chaired by Dr Rafiq Dossani, Director, RAND Center for Asia Pacific Policy , a Senior Economist and the Professor of Policy Analysis, Pardee RAND Graduate School . The discussants of the event were Prof Nilanjan Banik, Professor and Program Director (BA, Economics and Finance), Mahindra University, Hyderabad , Dr Pooja Misra, Associate Professor and Area Head, Economics, Birla Institute of Management Technology, Greater Noida and Mr Arvind Chari, Chief Investment Officer, Qua

Upcoming monsoon: No lessons learned from past flooding, waterlogging of Vadodara

Letter to MoEF&CC, Vadodara Municipal Corporation, Vadodara Urban Development Authority, Collector Vadodara, Chief Secretary, Gujarat, GPCB, CPCB and Others by Concerned Citizens of Vadodara*: *** Let us take into account the uncertainty of weather and climatic conditions and the prevalent erratic rainfall. Let us hope that we remember past floods and waterlogging and have learnt lessons from those disasters and tragedies. So, let us act immediately before the upcoming monsoon of 2023. It is apparent that, practically, no lessons have been learned from the past flooding and waterlogging events and from the ill-advised and ill-conceived rejuvenation efforts of Vishwamitri River. No action has been taken yet by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation in terms of identifying and removal of the debris from the ravines, water ways, lakes, ponds, wetlands, and low-lying areas. Instead, dumping of debris and other wastes continues into the river environs. Even clear directions given by the con

Why was this BJP leader forced to call off marriage of his daughter with Muslim boy?

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  A marriage of two individuals belonging to different faiths was ultimately postponed as the 'champions' of the social morality dominated the discourse and threatened the father of the girl who happened to be the chairman of Pauri city municipality. Yashpal Benam, a BJP leader, posted the invitation of his daughter's wedding with a Muslim boy from Uttar Pradesh. Both the boy and the girl became friend during their B Tech course and were in relationship. There were reports that they already got married in the court but we don't know the reality. Perhaps the family of the girl wanted to send a message of 'acceptability' and 'appreciation' of such a marriage by the society.

Against genuine pace, spin Rohan Kanhai was best player, on par with Viv Richards

By Harsh Thakor  Rohan Kanhai took creative genius in batting or aesthecism to regions unexplored. He virtually gave the art of batting a new dimension, being the equivalent of a Beethoven or Rembrandt to batting. He in full flow was manifestation of a divine energy. He could literally invent strokes of his own. He could eviserate any bowling attack, in any conditions.

Adherent of Charu Mazumdar who failed to confront policy of annihilation of class enemy

By Harsh Thakor  Communist Revolutionary leader Chandi Sarkar expired at 76 years old at his home in Krishnanagar of Nadia on, 5th April, at 11 pm. He has carved a permanent niche amongst the great Communist Revolutionary leaders of India. Till his last breath he blazed the spirit of revolution. Few leaders in West Bengal, more ressurected spirit of Naxalbari. Only with characters like Sarkar, can the Indian revolution ever advance. With unflinching resilience he defended Mao Tse Tung Thought and concept of peoples War. Chandi Sarkar was born on 15 August 1947 in a landlord family of Maharajpur village of Chandra Police Station of Nadia district. His father’s name was Ashok Sarkar. He was an accomplished sportsman since childhood, being given a trainee job as a for hockey player.

In terms of sheer statistics Sydney Barnes was indisputably the best of all bowlers

By Harsh Thakor  Late Sydney Barnes just reached the milestone of 150. Born at Smethwick, Staffordshire, April 19, 1873. Died at Chadsmoor, Staffordshire, and December 26, 1967. Sydney Francis Barnes was the second son of five children of Richard Barnes who spent nearly all his life in Staffordshire and worked for a Birmingham firm for 63 years. The father played only a little cricket and Sydney Barnes pledged that he never had more than three hours' coaching. Billy Ward of Warwickshire gave him the tutelage in his cultivating the off break from which he developed a leg break.Barnes was a gaunt faced man with wide eyes and an austere expression. Action and Style With a bouncy run up his long strong fingers could spin, swerve and seam a cricket ball in the air at medium pace, a but a stock speed well above medium..He bowled with his middle finger over the seam with the first and third spread on either side. His full circular swing enabled him to produce a smooth, coordinated delive

Killing of Atiq raises questions regarding lapses in cops' professional competence

By Prof Sudhanshu Tripathi*  What next or who next? The ongoing narrative in popular media over the slain Atiq Ahmed began with CM Yogi’s oft-cited speech in the state assembly that “iss mafia ko mitti mein mila denge.” And consequent encounters of four shooters by the UP police involved in the cold blooded murder of Umesh Pal -- the only witness alive in Raju Pal’s broad daylight murder by Atiq and his henchmen -- in February 2023. Further, few more encounters by the UP police since then have boldly underlined the oft-cited zero-tolerance policy of the Yogi government.