20 April, 2026
Sacred Duty of Church Leaders t o Speak Up
The Christian Federation of Malaysia affirms the principle of the separation of church and state as a safeguard for both religious freedom and the integrity of civil governance, yet this distinction does not require silence from people of faith, nor does i t absolve spiritual leaders of their moral responsibilities.
Faithful to the witness of Scripture, we affirm that those entrusted with spiritual leadership bear a sacred responsibility to speak truth, even when it challenges those in power.
The prophets of old did not remain silent in the face of injustice or moral failure among rulers; they confronted kings, warned nations, and called leaders back to righteousness.
From Nathan’s rebuke of David, to Elijah’s challenge to Ahab, to John the Baptist’s con demnation of Herod, Scripture consistently demonstrates that fidelity to God requires courage before authority.
This calling is not rooted in political ambition, but in obedience to divine justice. As the watchman described in Ezekiel, the failure to warn wrongdoing is itself a moral failure.
Therefore, church leaders are not only permitted but obligated to speak when leaders act unjustly, oppress the vulnerable, or depart from what is right.
In every age, the integrity of faith demands a voice that does not bend to power, but stands anchored in truth.
As asserted by Dietrich Bonhoeffer ‘silence in the face of evil is itself evil.’ To remain silent in the face of wrongdoing is to neglect a sacred duty, but to speak with courage and humility is to rema in faithful to the calling entrusted by God.
To this end, CFM, as a voice of the Church, will continue to speak out on matters concerning national and religious freedom, both independently and in collaboration with others, including the platform of the Ma laysian Consultative Cou ncil of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Taoism (MCCBCHST).
Sincerely
Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng
Chairman
EN
|
