I was filled with great pride when I read in the Ipoh Echo, Ipoh’s Community Newspaper, (Issue 76, June 16-30, 2009) about how the French priests opened the first Catholic mission in Perak in 1875. They worked hand in hand with the local Chinese in places like Taiping and Batu Gajah, helping the community there to eke a living.
The early Catholic missionaries in the form of not only priests but also religious brothers and sisters have left an indelible mark in the lives of many a practicing Catholic today. They were the pioneers of the Catholic faith, setting up schools, hospitals and churches all over Malaya.
Unfortunately, the younger generation has never known these missionaries and many will not be able to comprehend their impact on Malaysian society. In fact, many of today’s boys and girls do not know what it means to be a religious as they have not come across any. Catholic priests, brothers and sisters are indeed a dying breed!
The only concrete evidence of the existence of these early pioneers of the faith is the buildings that have been left behind in the form of schools, hospitals and churches.
However, because of harsh weather conditions and the passing of time, these physical structures will definitely require restoration and structural repairs. It is hoped that those responsible for undertaking maintenance of these buildings will preserve history by retaining their original identity and character.
We owe that much to the pioneers of the Catholic faith in this region!
Printed in the Herald - The Catholic Weekly (August 9, 2009)
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