CLS Internal News

Rev Fr. Paulino Miranda was back in the dock as a result of an appeal filed by the Attorney General’s Chambers against his acquittal by the Sessions Court on September 18, 2013.

The appeal was called up for hearing before the Hon. Madam Justice Choong Siew Kim at the Shah Alam High Court. Read more »

The Catholic Lawyers Society had its annual retreat recently from 9-11 August 2013 at the Marist Brothers Champagnat Youth Centre over the Hari Raya Aidilfitri long weekend.

The theme of the retreat was Mark 6:31 - 'Come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while' and featured Fr. Clarence Devadass as our retreat master. Read more »

Last Sunday, August 11, 2013, the History Channel of Astro showed a biography of Pope Francis entitled "Pope from the end of the world".

Whilst Astro must be commended for airing the program, however 4 times before and during the airing of the program, Astro apparently showed on the screen these words, "This Programme Portrays Depictions Of Religious Figures And Represents Views Other Than Muslims. Viewer Discretion Is Advised." Read more »

The recently elected CLS Committee Members had an audience with His Grace, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur at the Archbishop’s residence, Cardign House on 22 July 2013.

The meeting was preceded with vespers followed by a bountiful dinner and fellowship. After dinner, President Viola D’Cruz introduced her new committee to the Archbishop. Read more »

The Catholic Lawyers’ Society (CLS) called on His Excellency Archbishop Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Malaysia at his residence in Kuala Lumpur.

The CLS delegation was led by its President, Viola Decruz, accompanied by the Society’s advisor Sir Dato Peter Mooney and 3 committee members. President Viola briefed His Excellency of the role and objective of the CLS. Read more »

The controversial Administration of the Religion of Islam (Federal Territories) Bill 2013 (Bill) was finally withdrawn after the cabinet meeting on Friday, July 5th, 2013.

This came as a delight for many after various religious, political and other concerned parties had expressed their dissatisfaction with the Bill.

The Bill with 116 sections was intended to be a replacement of the current Administration of Islamic Law (Federal Territories) Act 1993 (Act 505) that only had 103 sections. Read more »

The Society recently celebrated the 90th Birthday of Sir Dato Dr. Peter Mooney, the Society's advisor. Dato Peter was born in Donegal, Ireland on 22 May 1923. He graduated from University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.

The Irish barrister came to Sarawak as Crown Counsel in 1953. He left as Sarawak State Attorney General in 1961. For his services to the Church in Malaysia, he was conferred the honour of Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on 26th October 2003. Read more »

The Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur through his lawyers reached an agreement with the 7 interveners who have appealed against the High Court decision that dismissed their application to intervene in the Herald’s ‘Allah’ case.

The parties agreed that the 7 interveners are allowed to appear and submit at the main appeal filed by the Government against the High Court decision dated 31 December 2009 that allowed the Herald publication to use the word ‘Allah’. Read more »

7 interveners had their appeal heard before the Court of Appeal on 8th May 2013 against the decision of Madam Justice Lau Bee Lan who dismissed their application to intervene in the Herald’s High Court Judicial Review action (‘JR Application’).

On 31st December 2009, Justice Lau had inter alia declared that the Archbishop had the constitutional right to use the word “Allah” in the Herald Catholic weekly periodical. Read more »

The teachings of the Church call on the faithful to take an active part in public life (nos. 1913-1915 Catechism of the Catholic Church) and to exercise the right to vote (no. 2240 CCC).

Article 119 of the Federal Constitution grants each and every citizen above the age of 21 of sound mind and not serving a prison sentence, the right to vote.

The constitutional right to vote is a right to be exercised with due care and thought. Read more »