Archbishop Emeritus Murphy Pakiam has described the vitriol against Father Lawrence Andrew for insisting Christians continue using the word "Allah", as tantamount to attacks against the Christian community.

 

"I am deeply saddened and aggrieved by recent events involving the use of offensive words and the burning of an effigy of Father Lawrence Andrew, which is tantamount to an attack against the Christian community," he said in a pastoral letter read out at Catholic churches today.

 

Lawrence ( left ) is the editor of Catholic Weekly The Herald and has become the target of conservative Muslims for his stance on the word 'Allah'.

 

Pakiam also expressed concern at a series of road shows aimed at preventing Christians from using the word 'Allah’ organised by Selangor Umno.

 

"It is deplorable that certain groups also wish to organise mega demonstrations and road shows.

 

"These insensible actions by groups of persons have caused a great deal of unease, anxiety and even anger among Malaysians," he said in a pastoral letter read out in Catholic churches today.

 

Pakiam said the backing these sort of actions is receiving from political leaders is aggravating the situation.

 

"The endorsement of such actions by certain political leaders and the unexplained silence of others only add fuel to a fire that seems to be spreading uncontrollably.

 

"We cannot accept or tolerate any group that promotes division, discord and disharmony in society," he said.

 

He urged Christians to pray for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

 

"I also call upon the faithful to pray for our leaders, especially our prime minister, to stand up with courage and be the leader to unite Malaysians of every race, religion and political affiliation," he said.

 

Furthermore, he called on them to pray to adversaries who have misunderstood the Christian faith as everyone pray to "the one true God".

 

"Let us pray in our homes, Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) and parishes that those bent on disuniting the peoples of Malaysia, will find the true path of peace," he said.