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DIOCESE OF MIRI
BISHOP’S HOUSE
Our Ref.: Bishop-L1-07 Date: 6 Dec. 2007
To: Miri Diocese Catholics Parents,
Brothers & Sister in Christ,
Subject: BIBLE STUDY AS AN EXAMINATION SUBJECT IN SCHOOL As Catholics there is a great need for us to know and love the Holy Scripture. This is because “Ignorance of the scripture is ignorance of Christ.” ( St. Jerome 340 – 420 AD). Indeed how can we love someone whom we do not know? So it is with Christ our Lord. To love Christ we need to know him. The best way to know him is through the scripture. Loving the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind is the greatest and most important commandment. (Matt. 22:37) In the existing curriculum for Malaysian Schools, Bible Study is listed as an examination subject for SPM. This presents us a great opportunity in putting into practice our faith which is so dear to us and at the same time allows our children to pursue their academic targets. However, for a number of years now, the total number of students taking Bible Study as a subject in school is disappointingly low. If this situation continues, there is a real or imminent danger that the relevant authority will remove this subject from the curriculum. In the interest of our faith, we all need to take immediate action to keep this subject in the school curriculum. As such, Bible Study is now made compulsory for all Catholic Form one (2008) students studying in St Joseph’s Secondary School and open to all Catholic students in the Miri Diocese. We need all the cooperation that we can get from all the Catholics in the Diocese in order to make sure that this proposal is achievable.
Yours in Christ
Rt. Rev. Bishop Anthony Lee Kok Hin, DD Bishop of Miri
Copy: The Principal of SMK St. Joseph Miri (Mr. Marcus Gau Lian) |
