KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 19 — Catholics must stay strong in their faith as they face attacks from various groups over the use of the word “Allah”, said Archibishop Emeritus Tan Sri Murphy Pakiam.

The senior church leader, who is now administrator of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur, said that recent events where offensive words were used and an effigy of Herald editor Father Lawrence Andrew was burned, were “tantamount to an attack against the Christian community”.

“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 dated yesterday.

“Furthermore, 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.

“I call upon the Catholic faithful to be strong through these adversities and continue to profess our faith with courage and determination,” Pakiam added.

On January 1, Selangor Umno had threatened to stage protests outside churches in the state unless Andrew apologised for insisting Christians have a right to also call their God by the Arabic word, which many Malaysian Muslims have been taught to be exclusive to their religion.

It later called off the planned protests after the threat was met by widespread public condemnation.

But it later took part in a rally in Hulu Selangor where an effigy said to be of the Catholic priest was set ablaze.

Pakiam, in his letter, said it is the duty of the clergy and congregation to promote justice and peace, calling for efforts to engage and build bridges with like-minded people, and to stand up against those who use religion to divide the nation.

The retired archbishop added that they must continue to engage with the authorities and seek “appropriate action” to prevent future provocation and intimidation against minority communities.

“I find solace and am heartened to see Malaysians of all races and religious affiliations standing up and coming forward for the cause of justice and peace.

“I thank God for the presence and support of these people who are contributing to Malaysia being a place where communities can live together peacefully, respecting and even appreciating the religious commonalities as well as differences of each other,” he said.

Pakiam also called on the faithful to pray for their “adversaries who have misunderstood our faith, since we all pray to the one true God”.

“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.

Temperatures have risen of late over the so-called “Allah” row that remains unresolved four years after it shocked the nation and led to the worst religious strife in the country’s history.

Earlier this month, Selangor Islamic Department (Jais) officers accompanied by policemen raided the Bible Society of Malaysia office and confiscated around 300 copies of the bible in the Malay and Iban languages for containing the word “Allah”.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers is also currently studying whether it will pursue a sedition charge against Andrew over a news report that quoted him as saying that Catholics will continue to use the Arabic word in their worship.

The ongoing legal dispute between the government and the Catholic Church over its right to print the word “Allah” in the Herald’s Bahasa Malaysia section is still pending.

The Federal Court is set to hear arguments from both sides on March 5 before deciding on whether it will hear an appeal by the Catholic Church.