Peninsular Malaysia’s Regional Pastoral Assembly to adopt ‘grassroots-to-top’ approach
The Regional Pastoral Assembly (RPA) of Peninsular Malaysia, comprised of the Dioceses of Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Malacca Johore, will focus not on a top-down approach but instead will begin “from the grassroots to the top.”
Fr. Dr. Lawrence Ng emphasized this crucial point during the Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Team (PMPT) core meeting last March.
According to the priest, the upcoming RPA, set for August this year, will focus on “bridging the pastoral direction of the Peninsular Malaysian Church since 1976.”
Most importantly, this is an opportunity to reflect and prepare for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) in 2026, the first-ever assembly of all Roman Catholic dioceses in Malaysia.
The three-day assembly, scheduled to take place on August 25–27, 2026, at Majodi, Plentong, will center on three key aspects: a celebration of Malaysia’s history, active listening and communal discernment, and walking in conversion and communion.
Meanwhile, Msgr. Peter Ng explained that the RPA will also tackle important subjects regarding FCES: family church, Ecology, and Society, with each parish contributing to the regional-level discussions.
Msgr. Jude Miranda, the PMPT chairperson, stated that the RPA is also “designed to harmonize the call towards Synodality within the rich pastoral heritage of the Church of Peninsular Malaysia.”
He expressed his hope that this gathering would help in “enhancing the common priesthood” among the faithful and emphasize every Catholic’s “baptismal identity.”
The PMPT has agreed to allow each diocese to send 150 delegates to the RPA, consisting of priests, religious people, and lay leaders.
The diocesan bishops of Peninsular Malaysia were also present during the core meeting.
Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang, stressed the importance of focusing on spiritual conversion instead of simply starting new diocesan projects. He emphasized the vital role of Synodal-centered dialogue in creating more workload for the dioceses.
Additionally, Malacca Johore Bishop Bernard Paul suggested holding spiritual conversations to discover new narratives within the four focus areas of FCES.
Finally, Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Julian Leow stated that a booklet summarizing the RPA's findings is necessary to advance the MPC.
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