Datuk Bolly Lapok
KUCHING: Religious harmony can be fostered through interfaith dialogues, where believers of different religions come together in the spirit of respect and understanding of each other’s religions.
This view was shared by Anglican Bishop of Sarawak and Brunei Right Reverend Datuk Bolly Lapok when commenting on the Interfaith Harmony column in thesundaypost published in collaboration with the Malaysian Interfaith Network (MIN), which he said would serve as a platform to promote understanding between followers of different religions.
“Dr John Fozdar, who is MIN Sarawak representative, first broached the idea of the column with me against the background that there is alarming polarisation between the races and various religions and that church leaders ought to do something about it,” he explained.
“For the Anglican church, even our very structure that identifies us, the very bond of communion that has been binding us is now severely tested. It is now a fractured communion and that is very sad,” Bolly pointed out, adding that there is no quick fix to the ills that have been inflicted.
“I’m very sure that this is being felt by all the churches in Christendom. I don’t know how they handle it but I’m sure it is as painful and difficult for everybody,” he added.
Asked to comment on the rise of religious conflict between many societies around the world, Bolly, who will be installed as the fourth Archbishop of the Province of South East Asia this Sunday, said the force that divides and breaks unity is not new.
“The force that is prompting people to disagree with one another is there in the scriptures. But with all these controversies, at the end of the day, we are saying the same thing. To put it crudely, “Why are we fighting?
“Our calling is to present God that it doesn’t have to be that bad,” he said.
The weekly Interfaith Harmony column, which was launched by Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman, is a joint effort between The Borneo Post and MIN to promote the ‘Culture of Peace’.
It is published every Sunday.