By Herald Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR – Since 2018, the Catholic Church in Malaysia has been working towards a shared dream: uniting all nine dioceses to Celebrate, Listen, and Walk as one Church.
This ambitious vision of unity in diversity will culminate in the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 (MPC2026), which is scheduled to take place in September 2026, coinciding with Malaysia Day.
Family, Society, Ecology, Church
The journey towards MPC2026 has been shaped through a series of assemblies that have provided opportunities for the faithful to engage in discussion, discernment, and reflection on the pastoral needs and concerns of the local Church. These assemblies, which began at the parish level and extended to diocesan and regional gatherings, have focused on four main areas: Family, Society, Ecology, and Church. While the process has been challenging and, at times exhausting, it has also been deeply enriching and rewarding.
In 2023, the Malaysia Religious Assembly (MRA2023) was held, and the momentum will continue with the Malaysian Catholic Youth Day (MCYD2025) in 2025. The MCYD2025 will bring together young people from across Malaysia to engage in discussions about their concerns and how to address them as part of their faith journey. These events are key milestones in the larger process leading to MPC2026, offering a path of reflection and action for the Church as a whole.
Perjalanan Salib
Echoing the words of Pope Francis, “without prayer, there will be no synod,” the final leg of the journey towards MPC2026 will be marked by Perjalanan SALIB — a devotion of prayer and pilgrimage. The aim of Perjalanan SALIB is to visit every parish, even those in the peripheries, and guide the community in a shared experience of prayer that deepens their relationship with God and with one another.
Perjalanan SALIB will officially commence on Apr 3, 2025, during MCYD2025, when a special cross will be solemnly blessed for public veneration. The cross will then be divided into nine individual salibs — one for each diocese — and will journey across Malaysia until August 2026. At MPC2026, the salibs will be reunited as one, completing the Corpus and symbolising the unity of the Church in Malaysia.
Diocesan Coordinators
To ensure the smooth running of this journey, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia has appointed coordinators in each diocese to oversee the Perjalanan SALIB. In January 2025, about 15 coordinators and assistant coordinators from across the dioceses gathered at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Centre in Kuala Lumpur for a workshop. The training focused on the logistics of the journey, including how to handle the salibs, set up events, and finalise the 18-month plan leading up to MPC2026.
Bangkitlah – the official hymn
In support of Perjalanan SALIB, an official hymn titled Bangkitlah has been composed. The hymn reflects the dual nature of the journey — it is not just a reflection of Christ’s passion but also a celebration of His victory and the grace of salvation that we receive through His love.
Social Media platforms
Additionally, creative media has been developed for sharing on various social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube: Gereja Katolik Malaysia) to engage the wider community. A dedicated website (gerejakatolik. my) has also been launched, offering resources and updates on the journey towards MPC2026.
As we continue on this path towards unity, let us seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the true protagonist of the Church, to lead us toward a new way of being Church — a synodal Church that embraces its diverse members and walks together in faith, hope, and love. The journey is long, but with prayer and dedication, we trust that the Church will be united and strengthened for the challenges of tomorrow.
Let us walk this path together — toward a future where the Church, united in diversity, continues to grow in faith and witness to the love of Christ. – Herald Malaysia
