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Dossier April 2021

Brunei. Under the shadow of Sharia Law.

Far from the reflectors of global strategies and tensions, the small South-East Asian island country seems to be suspended in a reality of wellbeing and peace. But it is really living through profound contradictions and in danger of drifting into fundamentalism as has happened in other nations of southern and South-East Asia provoked, if not…

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Contradicting results.

With a population that is 70% ethnically Malayan, Brunei has been under the influence of a much more rigid version of Islam as compared with bordering Malaysia and neighbouring Indonesia. The situation leaves little room for religious freedom for other faiths, especially Christianity, of whatever origin, be it Chinese, tribal or immigrant. The problem is…

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Catholic Church: ‘the Periphery within the Periphery’.

A small Catholic population. The seven pastoral priorities. Living under Sharia Law. Cardinal Cornelius Sim, apostolic vicar of Brunei talks about his community.  Last November, Pope Francis made mons. Cornelius Sim apostolic vicar of Brunei, a cardinal. “For me, it was a bit of a shock and unexpected”, said mons. Sim. “I think this appointment’s…

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To become a ‘Muslim Singapore’.

Seven years have passed and the real reasons for the introduction of the most severe version (at least on paper) of the Islamic penal code are still unknown, at least in part. From among the various analyses of the question, we may synthesise three points of convergence.  The first is that of national identity, closely…

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Advocacy

The Declaration of Human Rights is for all.

December 10, 2023, marks the 75th anniversary of the universal promulgation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its adoption by the United Nations…

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Baobab

The Hare and the Elephant.

There was once a herd of elephants who went to gather honey to take to their in-laws. As they were walking along, they came upon Hare who was…

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Youth & Mission

Mission. To give meaning to life.

Three young Comboni Missionaries from different countries speak about their vocation and missionary experience. My name is Lwanga Kakule Silusawa a Comboni missionary brother working in our…

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