The editor of Catholic publication The Herald has defended Murphy Pakiam over an article claiming that Vatican could have been disappointed with the Pakiam's handling of the 'Allah' row with Putrajaya.

In a letter to Malaysiakini , Rev Lawrence Andrew said the matter was "pure speculation".

Pakiam had tendered his resignation as the Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur on Dec 6 and it was promptly accepted by the Vatican.

endon funeral 201005 murphy pakiam Sources told Malaysiakini that this could be a reflection of the Vatican's disapproval of Pakiam's ( right ) alleged lack of assertiveness in the legal dispute over the use of the term 'Allah' between The Herald and the government of Malaysia.

Andrew, in the letter to Malaysiakini , said the actions against the use of the term Allah and other issues adversely affecting Christians have been taking place since the late 1970s.

"So (the Church has) discussed our difficulties behind closed doors with the relevant authorities but failed to see any result. It was Archbishop Pakiam who brought the Allah issue to the court for a just redress.

"So, how does the 'source close to the Catholic Church' know for a fact that the Vatican is disappointed about the Allah issue?," he asked, adding that the Vatican would have communicated any displeasure immediately to Pakiam.

'Tan Sri title not an issue'

Andrew also dismissed a claim in the report that Pakiam's acceptance of the honorary title of "Tan Sri" also had to do with the Vatican's acceptance of his resignation.

The source had told Malaysiakini that Pakiam's predecessor, Anthony Soter Fernandez, had declined an honorific title on grounds that worldly rewards and titles should be shunned by those dedicated to the service of God.

NONE Andrew ( right ) said that the Tan Sri title has always been offered to two Christian churches in the country - the Anglican Church and the Catholic Church - which are represented by their heads in Kuala Lumpur.

"It applies to the person concerned till his death. After his death, the title is newly conferred on the current leader of the concerned church.

"During much of Soter Fernandez's service as the head of the archdiocese, the bearer of the title Tan Sri was still bestowed, but on Dominic Vendargon.

"Only after the latter's demise in 2005 was the same honorific title transferred to the archbishop who was heading the Church, and he happened to be Pakiam," Andrew added.