A ‘Malaysian first’ archbishop who is a shepherd for all

I was blessed to attend the episcopal ordination of the new archbishop of Kuala Lumpur at the Church of the Holy Family in Kajang on Monday.

Being a public holiday, it was no surprise that more than 10,000 Catholics from all over Malaysia gathered to witness this momentous occasion. Even more were watching from home in the country and around the world thanks to the webcast that was streamed live on the Internet.

The moment that captured everyone's attention, though, was at the very end of the three-and-a-half hour ceremony and mass, when we finally got to hear Most Reverend Archbishop Julian Leow address his flock (the Catholic population in the archdiocese), as well as his fellow bishops from around the region, and his new "sons" – as he called them – the clergy in the archdiocese.

From his first few words, I sensed a man wise beyond his young age of 50 – going by the age of most bishops present on the day.

Saying that his appointment "at a time when this nation is at a juncture when all that we have built up, sacrificed for and taken for granted may be lost forever if we as a nation make the wrong choices," Bishop Julian Leow immediately sent a message he was fully aware of the challenges that the Catholic church and Christians, in general, are facing in our nation.

His full speech is available online at the Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese website.

I do believe, after reading his words and hearing the testimony of those who know him and have seen him in "action" at parishes or at the seminary where he taught, he is one with all Malaysians.

Hence, I see him as a "Malaysian first" archbishop, to quote a term used by some politicians in the past.

Speaking of the need for a “new narrative that is not about competing among each other to see who is first, who is superior, or who is more successful”, brought to mind that when it comes to the clergy, and more so bishops, I have never seen them as being Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Kadazans, Bidayuhs, or even Caucasian.

They are all shepherds called by God to serve and guide Christians and nurture a stronger and more faithful community at the diocesan and parish levels.

They are also men who have sacrificed so much, being called to a vocation that only a few are blessed to experience.

I have always held them in the highest regard for their loving sacrifice and being "so close to God" as to get that "call", but I also understand that they are only human.

As for Bishop Julian Leow, while acknowledging the love and support of his family, his alma mater, his lifelong friends, his education and career in the construction field, and finally the church itself, there was no mention whatsoever, nor was there any hint of pride at being the first Chinese archbishop in Kuala Lumpur. I am so happy that he found it irrelevant.

That also made me recollect two specific occasions when I felt it most inappropriate that the issue of race was brought up in the church, and just a few months ago at that.

The first was when the announcement of the new archbishop was made on July 3, at a press conference at the archdiocesan office in Bukit Nanas, Kuala Lumpur.

I was surprised to read a remark attributed to Leow’s predecessor at that press conference, that "after three Indian bishops, it is good to have a Chinese bishop".

Whatever harmless intention for that line to have been spoken to the media, it was just inappropriate, especially at a time when the country is in a tussle over our identity and questions of equality, or lack thereof, based on race and religion.

It shouldn't matter what race the new bishop belonged to. The same way that the millions around the world see Pope Francis simply as the Holy Father, and not as an Argentinian.

I can only imagine it to be a case of the generation gap causing such a faux pas, when one considers how many of the youth in the Catholic church are united and "colour blind" in working together, supporting various ministries within their parishes, and seeing their priests and the bishop without any hint as to what ethnic group these men of God belong to.

Still, that particular remark paled in comparison to what I heard at a mass in a church in Seremban on the eve of Hari Raya, Sunday July 27.

Speaking to the congregation, a priest (not the main parish priest) started to speak about how the Chinese community built the church about 150 years ago.

It is not so much that he actually said that, but as he went on, it was almost emphasised as if there must be some form of gratitude to just one community for giving up their land or being the benefactor for that particular church in the town.

It really troubled me to listen to what the priest was saying, even though I was only visiting that church that weekend, and it obviously must have troubled many regular parishioners too.

Because, the priest then acknowledged that some parishioners were not happy with what he said, as he had made the same comments the previous Sunday. Yet, he repeated the same and said he explained to the churchgoers who had complained that he was only "stating the facts", and that they could refer to the history books to verify it.

Facts they may be, but the church evolves and grows with the love and support of everyone in the community, and not one single group. Surely, the church as it is today has progressed beyond the wildest imaginations of those involved at the start. So, it had to grow with the contributions of thousands over many decades, from all groups and backgrounds.

As a priest, I am sure he had no intention to lift one community over the others in the parish, but it was so unnecessary and irrelevant too. The church needs to be forward-thinking and place more emphasis on uniting all under one roof, and reminding its people to do the same, always.

The comments also made me think about how some Malay NGOs are constantly attacking non-Malays, saying that we owe them for "allowing us Indians and Chinese" to stay here and prosper from their Tanah Melayu, that has become our home. Such thinking ignores the contribution of all communities to the development of our beautiful nation as well as the stability and prosperity we have enjoyed for decades.

So, I ask, how can we ever hope to escape such continuous thinking in racial terms when it is being thrust upon us, even in a racially-mixed audience as that of a church.

I love that the church has been at the forefront of all efforts to bring people together and defend the rights of the people, but I do think that just as the flock see the clergy and bishops as men of God, and not by ethnicity, that the same feeling rests in the hearts of these faithful shepherds too.

Again, I can only echo the message of Bishop Julian Leow who reminded us in his speech that "Malaysia needs united Malaysians in mind, heart and soul. We must inculcate values of mutual up-building, prospering your neighbour, debt of mutual love, outdoing each other in doing good, wanting the best for the other, and recognising the divine in each person as we are all made in the image of our creator." – October 10, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.