Al-Islam magazine has apologised over a special report last year for "unintentionally hurting the feelings of Christians, particularly Catholics" in Malaysia.

The apology was posted on the website of its publisher Utusan Karya on Friday (March 5).

It said in a three-paragraph statement that the report was to investigate allegations of apostasy and the actions of its journalists "were never intended to deride the Christian faith, let alone desecrate their house of worship".

"The two reporters involved also tendered their apology for not realising that what they have done in the course of their assigment has offended the feelings of Christians. Al-Islam hopes that such a thing will not recur," it said.

The magazine stated that the apology would be published in next month’s publication.

The report entitled Tinjauan Al-Islam Dalam Gereja - Mencari Kesahihan Remaja Melayu Murtad (Al-Islam’s investigation in the church - finding the truth on teenage Malay apostates) was published in its May 2009 issue, in which its journalists had posed as Christians and participated in a mass at the St Anthony’s Church in Jalan Robertson near Puduraya.

The reporters were said to have admitted to receiving the Holy Communion then spitting it out, an act Catholics consider a sacrilege.

Kuala Lumpur Archbishop Murphy Pakiam had on Thursday (March 4) said the church would not pursue legal action against the magazine nor its reporters if a public apology was offered.

Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail had said stern action would not be in the interest of justice, peace and harmony at this particular time, adding that the reporters "did not know the significance of the white bread".

Reverand Murphy said he was pleased with the quick response by the publishers, editors and authors.

"We accept their apology and extend our hand in peace. The Catholic community is now at peace following the apology. May God bless our country," he said.