Malaysia: Catholic nuns, priests reiterate their commitment to mission in peripheries

Considering Pope Francis's call, Catholic nuns and priests working in Malaysia have reiterated their commitment to do a mission into the peripheries.

This message was echoed in the first Malaysia Religious Assembly (MRA) held at Majodi Centre, Johor, a state in southern Malaysia, from June 8–11.

Over 190 representatives from 28 Malaysian religious congregations attended the program.

In preparation for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) in 2026, the church convened numerous assemblies, including this one.

To prepare for this assembly, every religious institution has started a process of theological reflection on the family, church, society, and ecology as of August 2022.

On May 12, a virtual gathering was held for all participants to get to know one another better and form bonds that would allow them to speak more deeply during the assembly, share their expectations, and continue their in-depth reflection on the four focus areas.

The assembly's objective was accomplished according to the attendees' answers after the four-day event.

The participants expressed gratitude to the nine bishops of Malaysia for their support and presence.

In his address, Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang diocese and the president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei said that the MRA is a component of the vision of a synodal church.

This synodal paradigm involves the clergy, religious, and laity traveling together as apostles, disciples, and members of God's people to realize communion, mission, and kenosis via the power of the Holy Spirit.

At Majodi Center, the MPC will take place in September 2026.

MRA also reflects the Pope's appeal for a synodal church of participation, communion, and mission.

Rome will host the synod between October 2023 and October 2024.

"The feeling of profound gratitude for our religious consecration has been strengthened through the enriching encounter with our fellow religious (28 congregations) in MRA," said a participant.

"Dark clouds over a closed world are spreading everywhere, even into our community, leaving us in a hopeless situation," she added.

This assembly opens a window where a ray of light shines through, giving the nuns hope that they are not alone in their missionary work.  

Jesus' command to "go forth, evangelize, participate in the life of the Church, and help the poor" is no longer an option but a mandate that Pope Francis is echoing.

"We will be the joy, hope, and light to the wounded and disconnected world so that through us, more people become free inwardly from bondage," another nun said. 

They can outpour their love toward God’s creation as they become more connected with God.

"We are challenged to go beyond this assembly, either to be the Levi or the priest, disconnected with the wounded stranger and passing by, or like the good Samaritan, moved with compassion and ‘stopping’ as we encounter the wounded stranger while involving others in caring for him," said a nun. 

"The spirit of MRA will only come alive when we choose the latter," she added.

Southeast Asia's Malaysia is a Muslim-majority nation. There are roughly 11,73181 Catholics in Malaysia, divided among nine dioceses, including three archdioceses. -Santosh Digal, with input from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu