Malaysia's religions
HOPES were expressed by many non-Muslims in North Borneo and Sarawak this week that the two U.N. teams at present visiting the two territories would investigate public
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The film. which is in colour. was taken in 35 mm.. and is intended for a full-size screen. The first part, which lasts 80 minutes, has already been compteted. It comprises a tenminute conspectus of the religious history of Rome, the opening of the Council, shots of the Council ethers at work, and popular demonstrations in St. Peter's Square. The sound track consists of an Italian commentary, hymns. and a general, musical background. The commentary is concise, and does not obtrude overmuch on the scenes being shown. Non-commercial rights of the film can be obtained from Fr. John Poitevin, 177, Via Quattro Fonlane. Rome, Italy, and will be granted on condition that there is no clash, in showings, with cinemas, whether secular or parish.
Mount Grace pilgrims
OVER 2.500 pilgrims climbed the Hambleton Hills on Sunday, from the small village of Osmotherley, Yorks.. to the ancient shrine of Our Lady of Mount Grace. This is situated above the ancient Charterhouse of Mount Grace, a Carthusian monastery which probably took its name from the shrine. Mass, was celebrated at 4 p.m. by Bishop Brunner of Middlesbrough. Canon Anthony Hulme, of Bedford. preached.
The Scottish cattle raiders always sought the protection of Our Lady at the Shrine before commencing their return journey after plundering the plains of Yorkshire. It is also believed that the famous rising against the dosing of the monasteries. the Pilgrimage of Grace. took its name from the shrine.
Throughout penal times it continued to be used by Catholics. Blessed Margaret Clitherow visited it shortly before her execution and Mary Ward, foundress of the Bar Convent, also made a pilgrimage there.
A tradition that martyrs were buried at Mount Grace was always denied by antiquarians until two bodies were discovered in 1958 when the chapel was being restored. opinion about the proposal to make Islam the state religion of the forthcoming Malaysia Federation.
The two teams have been sent at the invitation of the Colonial Office, following the request at the recent Manila summit conference that the United Nations should, prior to the establishment of the Federation. "ascertain the wishes" of the people in the two territories. They will travel, however, without the special "Manila observers" whose presence was demanded at the conference by President Soekarno of Indonesia.
Parliament last month approved an agreement making Islam the national religion for the proposed Federation, although only about 43 per cent of the total population would be Muslim. This decision went against the majority recommendation of the Cobhold Commission, which reported that "Even with guarantees of freedom of religion for the Borneo states, we have met with strong resistance from many non-Muslim communities to the idea".
North Borneo has only 37.9 Per cent Muslims in its population of 454.000. Sarawak has about threequarters of a million population, of whom only 23 per cent are Muslims.
Bishop at 34
The late Pope John. before he died, elevated Mgr. Beize. Professor of Lodz Seminary, to the rank of bishop. making him the youngest bishop in Poland, it was announced in Warsaw last week. Mgr. Beize, who is 34. will be consecrated by Cardinal Wyszynski, in Lodz Cathedral on September 1.
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