The Catholic Lawyers Society, Kuala Lumpur expresses its utmost displeasure over the recent unjust attacks and criticisms that were made and reported in various news portals against His Grace Archbishop Murphy Pakiam.

His Grace attained the age of 75 on Dec 6, 2013 and was obliged under Canon Law to present his resignation from office to the Holy Father, Pope Francis. The Holy Father accepted his resignation presented by His Grace Archbishop Murphy Pakiam premised on the fact that His Grace had reached the age of 75.

His Grace did not take ill because of the Holy Father’s acceptance of his resignation, rather he was nursing his ailment of high fever and cough even prior to that. He subsequently needed to be hospitalised, where he was diagnosed with pneumonia.

During his tenure His Grace took bold steps to defend the Catholic community’s constitutional rights as evidenced by The Herald case, where acting on behalf of the Catholic Church, he challenged the government’s decision to restrain The Herald newspaper from using the word ‘Allah’ in its Bahasa Malaysia edition and the atempted acquisition of the St Thomas School in Kuantan.

His Grace, acting on behalf of the Catholic Church, also sought an apology from the magazine ‘Al Islam and the journalist who entered a church and desecrated the Holy Communion.

He was confererred the title ‘Tan Sri’ by His Majesty the Agong. As explained by Rev Fr Lawrence Andrew, “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. The title is conferred on them for the services rendered by these religious communities for the nation.”

The awarding of the title is also a recognition of the catholic Church by the state.

His Grace has made great strides in the development of the Catholic Church and more importantly has been passionately advocating the need for greater dialogue and understanding between all religious communities in Malaysia. He is a great asset to the Catholic Church and has worked untiringly to shepherd his people.

His Grace Archbishop Emeritus Pakiam will continue to be in office until the next Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur is appointed.

Wishing all Christians a Blessed and Holy Christmas and to all, season’s greetings.