Singapore (Fides Service) - In view of rising tension in the Far East and the rest of the world after terrorist bombings in Bali Indonesia and Zamboanga Philippines, Fides Service spoke about the situation with the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore Nicholas Chia. "It is difficult to say whether this is part of a plan to destabilise South East Asia" the Archbishop told us. "Bali for example was known as a very peaceful holiday resort. Such an attack can only have been carried out by people with no respect for human life, perhaps the aim was to strike foreigners. Certainly we are all deeply concerned and we trust that governments involved will find the perpetrators and bring them to justice." When asked if he thought the attack would have a negative effect on Christian/Muslim relations in the area, the Archbishop said he did not think so, adding that it must be "made clear that the crime cannot be ascribed to Islam as a religion. There are some fundamentalist Muslim groups which want to break Islam's relations with other religions, but we must avoid falling into the trap of identifying terrorism with Islam".
The Archbishop of Singapore is convinced that the Church has an important role to play in the present situation. "The Church must speak out courageously against terrorism and fundamentalism, while promoting dialogue and harmony and peace and brotherhood among all believers. Today in Singapore we Catholics continue to hold meetings for dialogue, all is calm, the government has the situation under control." (PA) (Fides Service 23/10/2002)