By Richard Chia
MASAI, Johor – The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei (CBCMSB) recently held its first plenary meeting of 2025 at MAJODI Centre. In addition to the bishops, the gathering also saw the participation of seminary formators, rectors, spiritual directors, and members of the Conference of Religious Major Superiors (CRMS), who held their own respective meetings. The event offered a valuable opportunity for collaboration, fellowship, and meaningful discussions as the different groups within the Catholic Church came together to reflect on recent developments and outline plans for the region.
Several significant moments highlighted the meeting, including reflections on the past year, CBCMSB leaders’ participation in major Church events, and discussions about ongoing and future initiatives aimed at strengthening the Church’s faith and mission in Southeast Asia.
Papal Visit to Singapore
One of the most notable events of 2024 discussed at the plenary was the Papal visit to Singapore in September. This marked the first papal visit to the region since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1986, nearly four decades ago. Cardinal William Goh, Archbishop of Singapore, described the visit as a resounding success, noting that it was a unique and unifying event for the local Catholic community. He emphasised the profound impact the visit had on bringing Catholics together across various dioceses in Singapore as well as from the other regions, fostering a sense of shared faith and mission.
Synod of Bishops in Rome
The plenary also focused on the participation of Most Rev Julian Leow, President of CBCMSB and Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur, in the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops in Rome. The synod, which took place in October 2024, brought together 450 participants from around the world for a month-long session. It was the culmination of a three-year process of listening and dialogue on the theme of synodality, which began in 2021.
Archbishop Julian spoke at length about the spirit of synodality that defined the gathering, highlighting the emphasis on ‘conversation in the spirit’, listening to each other and fostering dialogue in a spirit of unity. He described the experience as deeply moving, especially the ecumenical vigil service that brought together representatives of various Christian denominations and Eastern churches to pray for Christian unity. During the synod, Masses were celebrated in ancient languages, including Aramaic and Arabic, to honour the rich diversity of the global Church.
A particularly poignant moment of the synod was the screening of a documentary about a Korean priest working in South Sudan. Archbishop Julian shared that the powerful images of suffering in Sudan left many participants in tears, underscoring the urgent need for solidarity and support for the world’s most vulnerable.
Jubilee Year Pilgrimages
The bishops also discussed plans for the Jubilee Year, in which the faithful have been declared as “Pilgrims of Hope.” Each diocese across Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei has identified special pilgrimage sites for the faithful to visit during the Jubilee Year. These pilgrimage centres are meant to serve as spiritual landmarks for Catholics to reflect on their faith and renew their commitment to the mission of the Church.
Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
Alwin D Macalalad, the Regional Coordinator for Pacific Asia & Oceania within the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) in Rome also spoke at the plenary. It was an opportunity for him to present the mission and activities of the DPIHD. The Dicastery’s focus is on promoting holistic human development in areas such as economics, ecology, health, security, and care for migrants and refugees.
Prior to this meeting, Alwin engaged with the leaders of several local Catholic organisations, including Fr Fabian Dicom, National Director of Caritas Malaysia; Dionysius Richard Ellai, Chairperson of the Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerants (ECMI); and Clare Westwood, Regional Director of the Episcopal Commission for Creation Justice (ECCJ). His discussions focused on the importance of integral human development in serving both the Church and society, with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of marginalised and vulnerable populations.
Alwin also presented on the dicastery to the CRMS and met with several seminary formators.
Safeguarding Policies and Elder Care
During the bishops’ joint meeting with the Conference of Religious Major Superiors (CRMS), the new executive committee for 2025-2027 was announced. The bishops expressed their gratitude to the outgoing team, led by Franciscan Friar Derrick Yap, and welcomed the incoming president, Fr Francis Lim, SJ. Key discussions at the meeting included safeguarding policies and protocols aimed at protecting minors within the Church. The discussion also centred on eldercare for clergy and religious members who are aging and require nursing care. These discussions were part of ongoing efforts to ensure the well-being of Church personnel and foster a safer, more supportive environment for all members of the Catholic community. Malaysian Seminary Charter At the seminary rectors’ session, a draft version of the
Malaysian Seminary Charter
was presented for discussion. After a healthy exchange of views and minor revisions, the bishops unanimously approved and signed the Charter. The Charter is set to serve as a guiding document for the formation of seminarians in Malaysia, ensuring that seminary programs align with the broader mission of the Church while fostering spiritual and intellectual growth among future priests.
Catholic Healthcare Asia Update
The bishops also received updates from Catholic Healthcare Asia (CHCA), which had last met with them in 2020. CHCA, led by its founder Sr Jane Bertelsen, FMDM; Sr Helena McEvilly, FMDM; Wendy Louis, Chairperson of CHCA and Daphne Leong, Mission Formation Director provided an overview of their current structure and efforts to integrate their mission into various healthcare initiatives across the region. The organisation continues to focus on providing comprehensive care that aligns with Catholic values and serves the holistic needs of individuals and communities.
Institute of New Evangelisation
Members of the Institute of New Evangelisation (INE), Michael Xavier and Alex Choong, presented an update on their work since the institute’s founding in 2021 via zoom. Through online training and parish leader transformation initiatives, INE has reached a significant number of Catholics across Malaysia. Moving forward, the institute aims to expand its outreach, particularly in the dioceses of Penang, Kuala Lumpur, and Malacca-Johore, while fostering stronger ties with the dioceses in Sabah and Sarawak.
MCYPA Youth Event in 2025
The plenary ended on an uplifting note as the bishops participated in a vocal training session in preparation for the Perjalanan Salib Malaysia, a nationwide youth event scheduled for April 2025. The event, which will be launched in Kota Kinabalu during the Malaysian Catholic Young Peoples’ Assembly (MCYPA), aims to bring together over 1,500 young people from across Malaysia for a week of faith, fellowship, and reflection. The event will also provide an opportunity for young people to engage with the bishops, strengthening the connection between the clergy and the next generation of Catholics in Malaysia.
The plenary meeting marked a significant step forward for the CBCMSB as it continues to strengthen its mission in Southeast Asia, build bridges across communities, and deepen the faith of its members. With the Jubilee Year, ongoing initiatives, and collaborative efforts within the region, the Church in Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei looks ahead to a vibrant and hopeful future.
