Malaysian bishops have called on lay members of their Church to be more involved in social and political issues.

“Every time after Mass, when the priest tells you ‘go, you are sent forth,’ it means ‘you are sent to be part of the country, to be involved in the social and political realities of the country’,” said Bishop Antony Selvanayagam of Penang.

Speaking at his diocese’s pastoral assembly, he told the gathering of around 270 priests and lay leaders that although there have been ongoing spiritual and human education programs in the parishes, the parishioners’ response has not been encouraging. Yet he asked the group to persevere with those programs.

“Formation is important,” he said. “When people are formed, they become leaders.”

All three dioceses of peninsular Malaysia – Kuala Lumpur, Melaka-Johor and Penang – held pastoral assemblies around Aug. 31, National Day. Their aim is to review their progress in light of the 2006 Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention, which set the direction for the coming years.

Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur reminded his priests and laity to avoid being just “activists” in the parishes but to see that “all our activities and education programs lead to the goal.”

He stressed the importance of building relationships with peoples of other religions and called for the mobilization of the Church’s senior citizens, encouraging their involvement in social activities such as visiting the sick.

Finally Archbishop Pakiam asked for a paradigm shift in the Church’s financial and budget policies, from “maintenance to mission.”

“We need to invest more in engaging pastoral workers and full-time catechists,” he said.

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