Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching

The Archdiocese of Kuching (Latin: Archidioecesis Kuchingensis; Malay: Keuskupan Agung Kuching; Mandarin: 古晋总教区) is a Metropolitan Latin archbishopric of the Catholic Church in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia, covering the western part of the state, up from Lundu to Saratok. It is however remains dependent on the missionary Roman Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Archdiocese of Kuching Archidioecesis Kuchingensis Keuskupan Agung Kuching 古晋总教区
St Joseph Cathedral, Kuching
Coat of arms
Location
Country	Malaysia
Territory	Kuching, Kota Samarahan, Bau, Serian, Simunjan, Sri Aman, Padawan, Lundu, Betong, Lubok Antu and Saratok
Ecclesiastical province	Kuching
Statistics
Area	19,173 km2 (7,403 sq mi)
Population Total Catholics	(as of 2021) 812,900 240,575 (38.2%)
Parishes	19
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Roman Rite
Established	1976
Cathedral	St Joseph's Cathedral in Kuching
Patron saint	Saint Joseph
Language	Ecclesiastical Latin Bidayuh language English language Iban language Mandarin language Malay language[1] Kadazan language Dusun language Murut language
Current leadership
Pope	Leo XIV
Metropolitan Archbishop	Dato Dr. Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng
Suffragans	Diocese of Miri Diocese of Sibu
Vicar General	William Sabang, Vicar general Patrick Heng, Chancellor
Bishops emeritus	Dato John Ha Tiong Hock Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting
Website
kuchingcatholic.org

Its cathedral archiepiscopal see is in St. Joseph's Cathedral, in the city centre, named after the spouse of the Virgin Mary, who was the diocese's patron.

Former auxiliary bishop Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng was appointed as the third and current Archbishop of Kuching by Pope Francis on 4 March 2017 following the resignation of his predecessor, John Ha Tiong Hock.^[2]

Erected in 1927 by Pope Pius XI as an Apostolic Prefecture, Kuching was elevated to Metropolitan Archdiocese by Pope Paul VI in 1976 with the suffragan dioceses of Sibu and Miri, and it was first led by Peter Chung Hoan Ting.

History

• It was erected it as the Apostolic Prefecture of Sarawak by Pope Pius XI on 5 February 1927, on territory split off from the Apostolic Prefecture of Labuan and Borneo.
• It was promoted to the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuching by Pope Pius XII on 14 February 1952.
• Lost territory on 1959.12.19 to establish the Apostolic Vicariate of Miri (now its senior suffragan see of separated Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam and Diocese of Miri; by the installation of Anthony Denis Galvin, MHM as its first vicar in 1960, and Anthony Lee Kok Hin as its first bishop in 1977).
• Pope Paul VI elevated it to the rank of a metropolitan archdiocese on 31 May 1976.
• Lost territory on 1986.12.22 to establish the Diocese of Sibu as its second suffragan (by the installation of Dominic Su Haw Chiu as its first bishop).

Ecclesiastical Province

Its ecclesiastical province comprises the Metropolitan's own Archbishopric and the following suffragan sees, both daughter dioceses :

• Diocese of Miri
• Diocese of Sibu.

Bishops

The following are the lists of ordinaries (bishops of the diocese) and auxiliary bishops, and their terms of service. They are followed by other priest of this diocese who became bishop.^[3]

Apostolic Prefects of Sarawak

No.	Portrait	Name	From	Until
1		Edmund Dunn, MHM (1857-1933)	1927	1935
2		Aloysius Hopfgartner, MHM (1874-1949)	1935	1949
3		Jan Vos, MHM (1902-1973)	1949	1952

Apostolic Vicars of Sarawak

No.	Portrait	Name	From	Until
1		Jan Vos, MHM (1902-1973)	1952	1968
2		Charles Reiterer, MHM (1923-1974)	1968	1974
3		Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting (born 1928)	1975	1976

Archbishops of Kuching

No.	Portrait	Name	From	Until
1		Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting (born 1928)	1976	June 2003 (Resigned)
2		Dato John Ha Tiong Hock (born 1947)	1998	4 March 2017 (Resigned)
3		Dato Dr. Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng (born 1963)	4 March 2017	Present

Former Auxiliary Bishops of Kuching

• Dato John Ha Tiong Hock (1998–2003), appointed Archbishop of this diocese
• Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng (2015–2017), appointed Archbishop of this diocese

Other priest of this diocese who became bishop

• Richard Ng, appointed Bishop of Miri in 2013

Clergy

Archdiocesan Curia and Cathedral Pastoral Centre of Kuching.

• Msgr. William Sabang (Vicar general)
• Rev. Fr. Patrick Heng (Chancellor)
• Deacon Casimir Henry Umar
• Deacon Dannie Luis Romanus
• Seminarian Addie Frank Lingge
• Rev. Fr. Adrian Kho
• Rev. Fr. Agustinus Tanudjaja, SJ (Jesuit missionary from Indonesia)
• Rev. Fr. Albert Jacobse, MHM (Mill Hill missionary from the Netherlands)
• Rev. Fr. Andre Delimarta, SDB (Salesian missionary from Indonesia)
• Rev. Fr. Arockyaraj Pavulu, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
• Rev. Fr. Augustine Jepy
• Rev. Fr. Augustine Radhakanta Singh, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
• Rev. Fr. Bernard Jim Bujang
• Rev. Fr. Berchmans Rayar, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
• Rev. Fr. Christopher Laden
• Rev. Fr. Clement Abel Anggas (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau)
• Rev. Fr. Davie Entalai
• Rev. Fr. Delphin Kahemba Ndungu, SDB (Salesian missionary from the Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Rev. Fr. Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu)
• Rev. Fr. Eugenio (Eugene) Gocela Maglasang, SDB (Salesian missionary from the Philippines)
• Rev. Fr. Felix Au
• Rev. Fr. Francis Dakun (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau)
• Rev. Fr. Galvin Richard Ngumbang
• Rev. Fr. Henry Jimbey
• Rev. Fr. Jerome Juleng
• Rev. Fr. John Chong
• Rev. Fr. John Ekly Direk
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Chai
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Lee Hock Jin, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu and Diocese of Malacca-Johor)
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Liew
• Rev. Fr. Joseph Ng, SJ
• Rev. Fr. Lazarus Swinie
• Rev. Fr. Leonard Yap
• Rev. Fr. Lucas Ng, CDD (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur)
• Rev. Fr. Mark Noel Bunchol
• Rev. Fr. Martin Wong
• Rev. Fr. Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau)
• Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ng
• Rev. Fr. Paul Herry
• Rev. Fr. Paul Hu Pi Xian, CDD (Congregation missionary from China)
• Rev. Fr. Paul Ling Keh Yiing (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu)
• Rev. Fr. Peter Liston
• Rev. Fr. Pratap Baskey, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
• Rev. Fr. Prince Carneelyes Arockiam, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
• Rev. Fr. Ramon Borja, SDB (Salesian missionary from the Philippines)
• Rev. Fr. Robert Jissem
• Rev. Fr. Stanley Goh, SJ (Jesuit missionary from Singapore)
• Rev. Fr. Stephen Chin
• Rev. Fr. Stephen Lim
• Rev. Fr. Vincent Chin Chu Yang^[4]

Deceased priests

• Rev. Fr. Terence Burke, MHM (1944–2017)
• Rev. Fr. James Meehan, MHM (1933–2018)
• Rev. Fr. Peter Aichner, MHM (1914–1995)
• Rev. Fr. Leopold van Rooyen, MHM (1917–2008)
• Rev. Fr. Michael O'Brien, MHM (1941–2022)
• Rev. Fr. Noel Hanrahan, MHM (1928–2019)
• Rev. Fr. Joachim Pang (1921–2007)
• Rev. Fr. Richard Khoo Choon Phoe (1940–2016)
• Rev. Fr. Dato Lawrence Chua (1936–2021)^[5]

Statistics and extent

As per 2021, it pastorally served 240,575 Catholics (38.2% of 812,900 total) on 19,173 km² in 12 parishes with 37 priests (26 diocesan, 11 religious), 82 lay religious (13 brothers, 69 sisters), 5 seminarians. There is a major seminary of St. Peter.

There are about 19 parishes and chapels administering outstations around the archdiocese.

Churches

St. Joseph's Cathedral in Kuching. St. Joseph's Cathedral, Kuching sub-parishes of Carmelite Chapel, Kuching St. Colette's Catholic Centre, Taman Malihah, Kuching Semariang New Township Catholic Centre, Kuching St. Joseph's Church, Sg. Empit, Kota Samarahan and Mother Mary Chapel, Stutong, Kuching St Peter Padungan new church. St. Peter's Church, Padungan sub-parish of Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Bintawa, Padungan, Kuching St. Teresa's Church, Serian sub-parishes of Sacred Heart Church, Tebakang, Serian St. Mark's Church, Triboh, Serian St. Elizabeth's Church, Ampungan, Serian St. John Bosco's Church, Bintawa Lama, Serian St. Mary's Church, Baru Mawang, Serian St. Andrew's Church, Paon, Serian St. Joseph the Worker's Church, Seroban, Serian St. David's Church, Tong Nibong, Serian St. Peter's Church, Lebor, Serian St. Patrick's Church, Tangga, Serian Holy Trinity Church, Pichin, Serian St. John Vianney's Church, Krusen, Serian St. Patrick's Church, Marung, Serian St. Philip's Church, Bugu, Serian St. Henry's Church, Resak, Serian St. Peter's Church, Pridan, Serian St. Sylvester I Church, Mantung Birawan, Serian St. Vincent's Church, Mubuk, Serian St. John's Church, Mantung, Serian St. James' Church, Merian Bedup, Serian St. Daniel's Church, Bedup, Serian St. Pio of Pietrelcina Church, Slabi, Serian St. Thomas' Church, Sorak, Serian All Saints' Church, Koran, Serian St. John's Church, Koran Empaneg, Serian St. John Bosco's Church, Sangai Mawang, Serian St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Sangai Empani, Serian Sacred Heart Church, Pulau Piranuk, Serian St. Lawrence's Church, Jenan, Serian St. Martin de Porres Church, Sira, Serian St. Andrew's Church, Ensebang Kuari, Serian St. Vincent de Paul Church, Ensebang Padang Bilon, Serian St. Bonaventure's Church, Meboi/Merbau, Serian St. Lawrence's Church, Kpg. Sg. Engkabang, Serian St. Dominic's Church, Menyang A, Serian St. Patrick's Church, Krangan, Serian St. Rose of Lima's Church, Antayan Keropok, Serian St. Flora's Church, Krait, Serian St. Charles' Church, Rasau, Serian St. Matthew the Apostle Church, Sebangkui, Serian St. Mark the Evangelist Church, Kakeng Karuh, Serian St. Jude's Church, Slabi Sangkam, Serian St. Lucy's Church, Tarat Sibala, Serian St. Paul's Church, Rayang, Serian St. William's Church, Payau Burus, Serian St. John Paul II Church, Sebintin, Serian St. Lawrence's Church, Lobang Batu Mawang, Serian St. Martin's Church, Batu Bedang, Serian St. Paul Miki's Church, Munggu Kopi, Serian St. Sylvester I Church, Sebemban, Serian St. James' Church, Murud Plaman, Serian St. Joseph Mikasa's Church, Pati, Serian St. Valencia's Church, Betong Kanowit, Serian St. Richard of Chichester Church, Segenam, Serian St. Jerome of Bethlehem Church, Patung/Kerumboi, Serian St. Stephen's Church, Bau sub-parishes of St. Agnes Tsaou's Church, Grogo, Bau St. Lawrence Ruiz's Church, Suba Buan, Bau St. Patrick's Church, Krokong, Bau St. Francis of Assisi's Church, Seropak, Bau St. Peter Damian's Church, Seromah, Bau St. Edward's Church, Skio, Bau St. Elizabeth's Church, Sogo, Bau St. Ambrose's Church, Kopit, Bau St. Andrew's Church, Serembu, Bau Holy Trinity Church, Peninjau, Bau St. Thomas More's Church, Kandis Baru, Bau St. Mathias' Church, Rumih, Bau St. Joseph's Church, Opar, Bau Blessed Sacrament Church, Mongag/Bijuray/Pedaun, Bau St. Faustina Kowalska's Church, Ledan Gumbang, Bau St. Sylvester I Church, Tringgus, Bau St. Philip's Church, Skibang, Bau St. Mark's Church, Stass, Bau St. Leo's Church, Serasot, Bau St. Anthony of Padua's Church, Merembeh, Bau St. Thomas the Apostle's Church, Skiat, Bau St. Martha of Bethany's Church, Garung/Karu/Bengoh, Jalan Wira Penrissen, Kuching St. Teresa de Avila Church, Stenggang, Bau St. Jude's Church, Stum Muda, Bau St. John's Church, Singai, Bau St. Peter's Church, Sippau, Singai, Bau St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon Church, Bobak, Bau and St. Martin's Church, Segong, Bau St. Jude's Church, Bunan Gega sub-parishes of Holy Cross, Tebedu, Serian St. Leo, Mujat, Serian St. Bernardette, Mongkos, Serian St. Gabriel the Archangel, Terbat Mawang, Serian St. Jacob, Daha Seroban, Serian St. Peter, Gahat Mawang, Serian St. Joseph, Tesu, Serian St. Mark the Evangelist, Kujang Plaman, Serian St. Nicholas, Daha Mawang, Serian St. Andrew, Daha Kisau, Serian St. Matthew the Apostle, Mapu Tantu, Serian St. Joseph, Temong Mawang, Serian St. Mary, Temong Mura, Serian St. Augustine of Hippo, Kg. Tebedu, Serian St. Simon, Kujang Sain, Serian Gethsemane Pilgrimage Centre, Bunan Gega, Serian St. Ann's Church in Kota Padawan, also known as Baruk. St. Ann's Church, Kota Padawan sub-parishes of St. Peter's Church, Simpok, Kota Padawan St. Maximillian Kolbe's Church, Bayur, Kota Padawan St. Michael's Church, Teng Bukap, Kota Padawan St. Mary's Church, Jambu, Kota Padawan Christ the King Church, Tijirak, Siburan St. Joachim's Church, Batu 12, Kota Padawan St. Vincent de Paul Church, Chupak, Kota Padawan St. Francis of Assisi's Church, Bidak, Kota Padawan St. Clare of Assisi's Church, Payang, Kota Padawan St. Agnes' Church, Serumah, Kota Padawan St. Luke the Evangelist's Church, Sitang-Petag, Siburan St. Anthony of Padua's Church, Peraya, Siburan St. Emily of Vialar Church, Krian, Serian St. Joseph's Church, Gayu, Serian St. Patrick's Church, Masaan, Siburan St. Catherine's Church, Bratan, Siburan Holy Family Church, Punau, Siburan St. Matthew's Church, Giam/Benuk, Siburan St. Martin's Church, Nyiru Grait/Git, Siburan and St. Margaret's Church, Kpg. Betong, Landeh, Siburan Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Sikog/Simboh, Siburan St. Francis Xavier's Church, Seratau, Siburan All Saints Church, PULAPOL Kuching St. John Baptist Mary Vianney's Church, Prutan, Siburan St. Christopher's Church, Sapit, Kota Padawan St. Monica's Church, Kakas, Kota Padawan St. Augustine of Hippo Church, Kiding, Kota Padawan St. James' Church, Tatuk, Kota Padawan St. Dominic's Church, Kuang, Serian Sacred Heart Church in Kota Sentosa. Sacred Heart Church, Kota Sentosa sub-parish of St. Mark Church, Batu Kawa Blessed Sacrament Church in BDC. Blessed Sacrament Church, BDC

Holy Spirit Church, Lundu sub-parishes of St. Clement Church, Perian/Senibong, Lundu St. Gregory Church, Selampit/Bitokan, Lundu St. Vincent Church, Stungkor Baru, Lundu St. Louis Church, Raso, Lundu St. George Church, Bokah, Lundu St. Mark Church, Rukam, Lundu St. Felix Church, Biawak, Lundu St. Anthony Church, Pasir Ulu, Biawak, Lundu Holy Trinity Church, Jantan, Biawak, Lundu St. Charles Lwanga Church, Jangkar/Opek/Tanjam, Biawak, Lundu St. Cosmas Church, Pasir Tengah, Biawak, Lundu St. Christina Church, Kendaie, Biawak, Lundu St. Timothy Church, Sebiris, Lundu St. Mary Church, Serayan/Keranji, Lundu St. Boniface Church, Judin, Lundu St. John Church, Sebako, Lundu St. Simon Church, Sebat Dayak, Sematan, Lundu and Good Shepherd Church, Siru Dayak/Pueh, Sematan, Lundu Holy Trinity church in Kenyalang Park. Holy Trinity Church, Kenyalang Park Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Sri Aman sub-parishes of Mount Hosanna Chapel, Sri Aman Holy Family Church, Betong and St. Anthony Church, Skrang, Betong St. Ignatius' Church, Saratok sub-parish of St. Matthew the Apostle, Meruji, Sg. Awik, Saratok

^[6]

Religious communities

Men

• Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord (CDD)
• Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Claretians (CMF)
• Discalced Carmelites (OCD)
• Marist Brothers (FMS)
• Saint Joseph's Missionary of Mill Hill / Mill Hill Missionaries (MHM)
• Order of Friars Minor / Franciscans (OFM)
• Society of Saint Francis de Sales / Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)
• Society of Jesus / Jesuits (SJ)

Women

• Discalced Carmelites (OCD) (Women's section)
• Sisters of St. Francis of Sarawak (SSFS)

Missionary schools

Primary

• SK St Teresa, Kuching
• SK St Stephen, Bau
• SK St Jude, Bunan Gega, Serian
• SK St Philip, Bugu, Serian
• SK St Dominic, Pichin, Serian
• SK St Henry, Slabi, Serian
• SK St Patrick, Tangga, Serian
• SK St John, Mantung, Serian
• SK St Michael, Mongkos, Serian
• SK St Peter, Simpok, Kota Padawan
• SK St Elizabeth, Tijirak, Siburan

Secondary

• SMK St Joseph, Kuching
• St Joseph Private Secondary School, Kuching
• SMK St Teresa, Kuching

See also

• List of Catholic dioceses in Malaysia
• Roman Catholicism in Malaysia