COMMENT In the wake of grave developments on the political front, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Murphy Pakiam must give serious thought to the propriety of his being part of the delegation that will be led by Prime Minister Najib Razak for a visit to Pope Benedict XVI on July 18.

Political developments in the country, especially in connection with the controversial Bersih march, affect the credibility of the Najib administration in ways the Catholic community cannot be indifferent to.

Hence the titular head of Catholics in the archdiocese of KL, the biggest in the country, cannot remain unconcerned about these developments, not only because of their weightiness but also for their connection to matters of deep concern to practitioners of the faith.

The PM’s call on Pope Benedict at the latter’s summer residence outside Rome has been reported as foreshadowing the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Malaysia.

But sources say the visit has more to do with Pope Benedict’s desire to promote Christian-Muslim dialogue than with the setting up of diplomatic ties...