Church forgives protesters
Published on: Monday, April 27, 2015
Selangor: The Taman Medan church forgives those who had protested against the placing of a cross on its building, its senior Pastor Paul Packianathan said Sunday. Packianathan said the church doesn't hold any "grudges" against the protesters."We do not hold any grudge. We forgive and move on and pray that this act of forgiveness will be manifested in all of us in this country."That's what Christ taught us, so we forgive them. No problem," Packianathan told reporters in his first public statement after the protest last Sunday.
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"If they are here, I'll hug them," he said as he looked around for those who had objected to the cross on the church building.According to Packianathan, the cross is a "worldwide accepted symbol of Christianity which gained prominence on Good Friday", adding that the message of the cross was forgiveness. "On the cross, Jesus clearly said: 'Forgive them Father, for they do not know what they are doing.'"So the message of the cross is forgiveness and that's what we have been taught by our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ," he said. "Are we going to put up the cross? Right now the answer is simple. We are waiting on the Lord to direct us on what we should do next," he said.He thanked both the Prime Minister and Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali for speaking out in support of the church.
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On Saturday, Azmin said the Taman Medan church can reaffix a cross on its facade without any written permission from the Selangor government, adding that the state did not prohibit them from putting up the cross in the first place.Azmin said the church did not break any laws when it placed the cross on its premises as it is the symbol of Christianity so it doesn't need written permission to do so, giving his assurance that the state government protects all communities and faiths in Selangor.
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Packianathan also spoke out Sunday against unfair allegations against Umno leader Datuk Abdullah Abu Bakar — reportedly a mediator during the protest and also the brother of the Inspector- General of Police — labelling them as an act of "character assassination".Last Sunday, about 50 Taman Medan Muslim residents staged a protest against the Community of Praise Petaling Jaya Church for putting up a cross on its façade, claiming the act was a challenge to Islam and could influence young Muslims.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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