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By Bernard Cheah, The Sun

Two Catholics today lodged a police report against a magazine writer and his colleague (both non-Catholics) for taking part in a Catholic service and to "spy" on the church. 

Devotees Joachim Francis Xavier and Sudhagaran Stanley, who made the report in the Northeast District Police Headquarters this afternoon, were upset that the duo had violated the sanctity of the Holy Communion by taking part in the Holy Communion.

Xavier said the writer then wrote his experience in May 2009 edition of the magazine.

The "spying" allegedly occurred in a Catholic church in Kuala Lumpur in April.

"This is a dangerous precedent in the country where we aren’t allowed to worship freely as there are people spying on us during prayers and partaking in rituals.

"What if others go into Buddhist temples, Hindu temples and mosques and do something disrespectful?" asked Xavier.

"We are outraged that these men consumed the ‘white wafer’ during the Holy Communion, only to spit it out later for it to be photographed and have its imaged published in the magazine," he said, adding that the communion was restricted to Catholics who understand its significance.

Xavier urged the police to treat the matter seriously and to act.

When contacted, George Town OCPD ACP Azam Abd Halim declined to comment on the matter until he had viewed the report.

"We will investigate as long a report is lodged," he added.

Comments (18)

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written by peace, July 08, 2009 23:07:23

I pray to GOD JESUS, may the righteous one will prevail and direct the evil to the correct path. Amen

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written by kksam, July 09, 2009 00:08:38

those are not magazine reporter, i think more like Special Branch officers. those SB is definitely monitoring all groups.

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written by Sutha, July 09, 2009 01:12:36

If the Church's activities are above board, what is there for spying? Of course, the Church can report to Vatican of the Malaysian government's policies and practices (including discriminations) on religion and its freedom. It would be good if these matters are spied and reported to the Government (or Special Branch) as the latter should know of the International Community's awareness.

The Church got to be angry and worried only if they are involved in illegal/immoral activities. I smell a rat.

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written by boblskee, July 09, 2009 03:10:58

Part of the problem is the lack of context in the report. For Roman Catholics, the Communion wafer or host is of special significance because they believe that the real presence of Jesus Christ is within the consecrated bread. So I believe the issue is more of sacrilege than spying. Apart from that, I don't see why folks would get offended if their places of worship and/or rituals are visited by non devotees.

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written by temenggong, July 09, 2009 07:58:14

Like i said, don't trust the choir boys!

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written by budakindia, July 09, 2009 09:11:05

Hey what's new in this country? We already have body snatching squads all over the country. It's a matter of time that our religion practices will be outlawed.

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written by Taikohtai, July 09, 2009 09:27:53

But then again, if you believe in kamma, there is really nothing to worry about

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written by garfunky, July 09, 2009 10:08:55

All you idiots who comment without thinking,

Non-catholics coming into the churches to observe and then write about them have happened before. And there were no problems.

BUT, they do so with respect. It is a big issue to catholics when the Holy Communion is involved. They were either ignorant to its significance or they were just blatantly disrespectful. Both are unnaceptable cases.

Spitting it out and taking a photograpgh? Outrageous. And yes, you can liken this issue to someone going into a mosque or temple and do something disrespectful. What so wrong with making that statement? Been reading to much of The Da Vinci Code?

IT IS an issue worth reporting about and if you are not Catholic, or if you do not understand, please shut up.

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written by Lyon, July 09, 2009 10:28:58

I fully agree with 'garfunky' Those adverse comments were by people who do not know the Catholic religion. For their information the sacrament of Holy Communion can only be received by those who:
i) were baptised as Catholics;
ii) completed and passed the relevant religious instruction (cathechism) and
iii) are in a state of grace i.e. not in a state of mortal sin.

Since Holy Communion is the Body of Christ, it is most sacred and has to be treated as such. It has to be consumed once placed in the mouth.

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written by Old Man, July 09, 2009 10:32:30

What is there to make a Police report? If those two 'spies' did show disrepect in your Church then they'll will be reap what they sow.
Recently a 27 year old soldier raped a 25 year old lady in a cemetery. What happened to him then? Even the dead demand Respect!
Please just continue with your church activites and do NOT allow such religious issue to become a political one.
May God bless you all. Amen...

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written by alarcarte, July 09, 2009 14:02:41

Non Catholics are welcome to attend the Church Mass, there won't be any issue with that. The only thing any non Catholic should observe is that they should not receive and consume the Holy Communion (thin wafer). The wafer is only meant for baptised Catholics.

To received Holy Communion and spit it out is view as total insult to the Catholics, it is liken to spitting at any religious statues in the presence of the believers.

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written by garfunky, July 09, 2009 14:17:57

To Old Man,

a prime example of people commenting without first knowing the facts...

It is NOT just about "respect", and it is definitely not "political". You do not know about the Holy Communion and what it signifies to Catholics do you? This is what MT is becoming. Everyone is bashing Catholics, Protestants and Muslims whenever an issue arises and conclude that the agenda must be "political".

And what has the rape in a cemetary got to do with anything? A new article has emerged in MT detailing the true intentions of these "spies". Read and weep.

So again I IMPLORE to people like yourself, if you don't know, don't comment.

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