New churches proof Christians free to practise religion Radin

TENOM: Rural Development Minister Datuk Radin Malleh said the continuing construction of houses of worship in Sabah is evidence that Christians are free to practise their religious beliefs as enshrined in the Constitution of Malaysia.

Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) will continue to fight so that the people of all races in this country, especially in Sabah, are free to practise their religious beliefs, he said, when opening the new RM40,000 St Joseph Catholic Church at Kampung Batu-Batu near here on Saturday.

He said the construction of the new church in the village is proof of the support and concern for the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government to bring spiritual development to Christians in the state.

Radin, who is also vice president of PBS, added the government appreciated the contributions and role of the Christian community in Malaysias nation building. All the feedback from the Christian community had also received the governments attention to ensure the continuity of development and to maintain multi-ethnic harmony in the state.

The new church was blessed and consecrated with a holy mass led by the Rev. Fr. David Mamat, Rector of the Parish of St Anthonys, Tenom.

The Melalap assemblyman said the rapid development of the state needs to be balanced with spiritual development to create a community that is upright and with good character and strong personality.

The demand to pursue materialistic wealth in the world will cause us to forget our faith and spirituality and this can undermine morale and well-being of our society. We should emulate the noble teachings of Jesus Christ that human life is moderate and always treat others with love. The church is a place of worship to strengthen our faith and spirituality to sustain us in this world and the hereafter, he said.

Radin added the many Christian youth turnout for the holy mass in conjunction with the opening of the church was very good compared to the presence of youth in many churches in western countries that he had visited.

As the number of youths who attend churches in western countries is smaller there, the church function was turned into a museum and a tourist centre, he added.

Rev. Fr. David Mamat, in his speech, said that the church appreciates the help of the government on Catholic spiritual development in this area and the construction of the new church as it will facilitate the Catholic workers in the village.

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New churches proof Christians free to practise religion Radin