Bishop Julius D. Paul head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malaysia (ELCM) and Chairman of the Standing Committee for World Service of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), passed away on 22 nd November 2008 in a boat accident in Guatemala . He has earlier chaired the meeting if the said Standing Committee. He was travelling together with LWF Standing Committee member Peter Schirmer from ustralia, who was among the reported 12survivors.

News of the sudden and untimely death of the Bishop was received by the local Christian community and international Lutheran communion with shock and sadness. The family of the late Bishop had waited for 6 days for papers from the various authorities to bring his body home from Guatemala . The funeral ervice at the Zion Cathedral was packed with people coming from far and near to pay their last respects to their beloved Bishop, mentor and friend Mourners from overseas and all over the country came well before the funeral service which commenced at 4.00pm and packed the sanctuary and several make shift ents outside the church building. The funeral service was solemn but dignified, fitting for a Bishop who was deeply loved by members and highly respected by his co-workers and counterparts.

Rev. David Devapirian, Pastor in-charge of the Zion Cathedral, in his sermon paid tribute to his mentor whom he had known since 1971. The Bishop had been his role model, giving him advice and inspiration along his spiritual journey. Bishop's life was a testimony of God's goodness. He had tasted the Lord and known His goodness. Hislove for the Lord began 40 years ago when he joined the Trinity Theological College in the late sixties. It was never ended “until his last breath”. He had been faithful and dedicated to the end.

During the service, condolence messages to family and members of the ELCM were presented by representatives from the Council of Churches of Malaysia, the Lutheran Church of Australia , the Lutheran World Federation and the Church of Sweden . On behalf of all Pastors and members of the ELCM, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rajah and Mr. Silas M. Das, the Diocesan Secretary, lauded the late Bishop Julius Paul as the “Father of Modern ELCM” for his many good works and deeds for the local churches and ecumenical bodies.

Mrs. Alice Paul, in her speech recounted how the Lord had assured her and her children on several occasions that her husband and their father is now in the presence of the Lord. She recounted her visit to Lake Atitlan with her children when they were in Guatemala to identify the body. The weather was dark and cloudy but they saw a ray of light breaking through the cloud and shinning down at the spot where Bishop Paul drowned. Despite their grief, they are thankful to God for graciously providing them the blessed assurance that they had needed at that moment.

At the end of the service, the people formed a long endless queue to take one last look and to bid a final farewell to Bishop Paul. The cortege then proceeded to the Subang Lutheran Garden where the body was laid to rest.

Bishop Paul was born on the 14 th of July 1945 and had served as ELCM Bishop since April 1988, and was due to retire in July 2010. His successor, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rajah was elected as Bishop-elect on 1 st November 2008 during an extraordinary general assembly, held in Kuala Lumpur .

We mourn the loss of a devoted servant of the Gospel who had given his life for the cause of ecumenism. Bishop Paul, as one of the long-serving ecclesiastical leaders in our country, had offered outstanding leadership to the Council of Churches of Malaysia, and other ecumenical organisations in this region (Christian Conference of Asia ) and the world (Lutheran World Federation). He was instrumental in the establishment of the Seminari Theoloji Malaysia and the

Christian Federation of Malaysia and served in important positions in these organisations. The contributions he made throughout the year are numerous and invaluable.

Bishop Julius had enjoyed great respect and admiration from other church and government leaders as he was passionate and relentless advocate of justice and peace in the country. As an ecumenist, he had always sought common ground so that churches could effectively impart social change in society. Although it is sad that he left us suddenly, his life and contribution will always be remembered and herished by all.

Our thought and prayers go out to his family, relatives, particularly to his wife Alice Paul and children Surenthiran, Naventhiran and Lalitha. His sudden and untimely demise is certainly a great loss to all who knew this dear and wonderful friend.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116: 15).

“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in

the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).