Malaysian Bishops respond to violence

(Jan.13,2010): The Bishops of Malaysia are urging reconciliation in the wake of attacks against nine Christian churches over the weekend, and affirming the incidents stain the reputation of the country's Muslim majority. The prelates responded to attacks on three Catholic and six Protestant churches in a communiqué made public on Tuesday by the Fides news agency - a Vatican missionary news agency. The bishops' communiqué noted harmony between Islam and Christianity in Malaysia, and said the attacks stain the reputation of Malay Islam, known for its moderation and its peaceful coexistence with other religions. In fact, Fides reported, moderate Muslim groups have organized watches in churches to prevent a repeat of the violence. The Bishops urged Christians to do everything possible to keep calm, not retaliate, and pray to avoid a dangerous escalation of the violence.
The attacks over the weekend come in the context of a Dec. 31 high court decision overturning a ban on Christian groups referring to God as Allah. Both Christians and Muslims have pointed to political motivations behind the violence.
Malaysia, a nation of a little over 27 million is 60% Muslim, 19% Buddhist, 6% Hindu, 6% Protestant and 3% Catholic.