This is not the time for revenge but a time for healing, said Penang bishop Antony Selvanayagam today in reference to the incident where an angry group of Muslims protested at an Ipoh church early this month.

"I call on all Catholics and all people of good will to observe Friday, Dec 1 as a day of fast, penance and prayer," said Selvanyagam.

The bishop said the prayers are to seek forgiveness for "the Muslim group sincerely from our hearts".

Christians are urged to gather in their own churches and chapels, or at their homes at 8pm for the prayers.

On Nov 5, 300 Muslims gathered at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes to protest against the 'conversion' of Muslims to Christianity after receiving a false SMS message on the event.

Dialogue please

The group had initially refused to disperse despite warnings from the police, who later had to bring in a team from the Federal Reserve Unit to control the crowd.

It was revealed that the church was not converting Muslims but was instead holding the first holy communion service for 98 Catholic children.

The bishop has urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his cabinet to "seriously work towards establishing structures of dialogue at various levels, comprising peoples of all races, cultures and religions".

Selvanayagam also asked Christians to pray for the children and the parishioners of the Ipoh church so they "may be healed from this negative experience".

Couple released

Meanwhile in a related development, a couple who were detained in connection with the SMS have been released on police bail.

The woman - known as Raja Sherina and in her 40s - and her 38-year-old husband, were detained on Nov 21 and remanded since then to facilitate investigations into the case.

Perak police chief Aziz Bulat said the couple were released on one-month bail pending a decision from the Attorney-General's Office.