Archdiocese of Kuching

Archdiocese of Kuching

*Archidioecesis Kuchingensis*

Keuskupan Agung Kuching
古晋总教区
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;
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
Episcopal Vicars	Patrick Heng, Chancellor
Bishops emeritus	Dato John Ha Tiong Hock; Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting
Website
	kuchingcatholic.org

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.

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 :

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.	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.	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.	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

Vicar General

The Very Rev. Msgr. William Sabang

Diocesan Chancellor

Rev. Fr. Patrick Heng

Diocesan Deacons

Deacon Addie Frank Lingge

Diocesan Seminarians

Seminarian Boniface Chang

Diocesan Clergies

Rev. Fr. Adrian Kho
Rev. Fr. Augustine Jepy
Rev. Fr. Bernard Jim Bujang
Rev. Fr. Casimir Henrry Umar
Rev. Fr. Christopher Laden
Rev. Fr. Dannie Luis Romanus
Rev. Fr. Davie Entalai
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 Liew
Rev. Fr. Lazarus Swinie
Rev. Fr. Leonard Yap
Rev. Fr. Mark Noel Bunchol
Rev. Fr. Martin Wong
Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ng
Rev. Fr. Paul Herry
Rev. Fr. Paul Ling Keh Yiing (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu)
Rev. Fr. Peter Liston
Rev. Fr. Robert Jissem
Rev. Fr. Stephen Chin
Rev. Fr. Stephen Lim
Rev. Fr. Vincent Chin Chu Yang^[4]

Religious Clergies

Rev. Fr. Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu)
Rev. Fr. Joseph Lee Hock Jin, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu and Diocese of Malacca-Johor)
Rev. Fr. Joseph Ng, SJ
Rev. Fr. Lucas Ng, CDD (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur)
Rev. Fr. Nelson Evarinus Sipalan, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau)

Foreign Clergies

Rev. Fr. Agustinus Tanudjaja, SJ (Jesuit missionary from Indonesia)
Rev. Fr. Albert Jacobse, MHM (Mill Hill missionary from the Netherlands)
Rev. Fr. Aloysius Dirgahayu Bayu, CDD (CDD missionary from Indonesia)
Rev. Fr. Andre Delimarta, SDB (Salesian missionary from Indonesia)
Rev. Fr. Arockyaraj Pavulu, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
Rev. Fr. Augustine Radhakanta Singh, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
Rev. Fr. Berchmans Rayar, CMF (Claretian missionary from India)
Rev. Fr. Delphin Kahemba Ndungu, SDB (Salesian missionary from the Democratic Republic of Congo)
Rev. Fr. Eugenio (Eugene) Gocela Maglasang, SDB (Salesian missionary from the Philippines)
Rev. Fr. Paul Hu Pi Xian, CDD (CDD missionary from China)
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. Stanley Goh, SJ (Jesuit missionary from Singapore)

Deceased Clergies

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)
Rev. Fr. Peter Ng Kan Lim (1941–2026)^[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, Taman Budaya, Kuching
- sub-parishes of Carmelite Chapel, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, Kuching
- St. Colette's Catholic Centre, Taman Malihah, Kuching
- Semariang New Township Catholic Centre, Kuching
- St. Joseph's Church, Sg. Empit, Kota Samarahan
- Mother Mary Chapel cum Archbishop's residence, Stutong, Kuching and
- Sacred Heart Church, Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan

St. Peter's Church, Padungan, Kuching
- 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
- 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. Paul Miki's Church, Merang, 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. Peter's Church, Reteh Plaman, Serian
- St. Ambrose's Church, Reteh Mawang, Serian
- St. Christopher Magallanes' Church, Tanah Mawang A, Serian
- St. Cleopas' Church, Kg. Kuala, Gedong, Serian and
- St. Joseph's Church, Semada Belatok, 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, Bijuray/Mongag, 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, Jalan Wira Penrissen, Kuching
- St. Teresa de Avila Church, Stenggang, Bau
- St. Jude's Church, Stum Muda, Bau
- St. John's Church/Mt. Singai Catholic Memorial & Pilgrimage Centre, Singai, Bau
- St. Peter's Church, Sippau, Singai, Bau
- St. Leonard's Church, Atas, Singai, Bau
- St. James' Church, Bitikie, Singai, Bau
- St. Michael's Church, Sudoh, Singai, Bau
- St. Henry's Church, Apar, Singai, Bau
- Holy Family Woodhouse, Catholic Retreat Centre, Senibong, Singai, Bau
- St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon Church, Bobak, Singai, Bau
- St. Martin's Church, Segong, Singai, Bau
- St. Gonzalo Garcia's Church, Padang Pan, Bau
- St. Nicholas' Church, Gumbang, Bau
- St. Paul Miki's Church, Nowang, Bau
- St. Benedict's Church, Tembawang Sauh, Bau
- St. Anna's Church, Jugan, Bau
- St. Francis Xavier's Church, Serikin, Bau and
- St. Mary's Church, Bogag, Serikin, Bau
St. Jude's Church, Bunan Gega, Serian
- 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. Jude Thaddeus, Sungan, Tebedu, Serian
- St. Paul, Tema Saan, Tebedu, Serian
- St. Henry, Bidak Plaman, Serian
- Sts. Peter and Paul, Payau Achau, Serian
- St. John Paul II, Sebintin, Serian
- St. James, Paon Gahat, Serian
- St. Anthony, Kawan, Serian
- St. Francis of Assisi, Mentu Tapu, Serian
- St. Justin, Mentu Pondok, Serian
- St. Lawrence, Lobang Batu, Serian
- Sacred Heart, Pulau Piranuk, Serian
- St. Martin, Batu Bedang, Serian
- St. John, Kujang Mawang, Serian
- St. Elizabeth, Bidak Mawang, Serian
- St. Aiden, Mawang Tahup, Serian and
- St. William, Payau Burus, Serian

St. Ann's Church, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- sub-parishes of St. Peter's Church, Simpok, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Maximillian Kolbe's Church, Bayur, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Michael's Church, Teng Bukap, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Mary's Church, Jambu, Kota Padawan
- Christ the King Church, Tijirak, Siburan
- St. Joachim's Church, Batu 12, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Vincent de Paul Church, Chupak, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Francis of Assisi's Church, Bidak, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Clare of Assisi's Church, Payang, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Agnes' Church, Serumah, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- 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, Benuk, Siburan
- 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, Kuching
- St. Monica's Church, Kakas, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Augustine of Hippo Church, Kiding, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. James' Church, Tatuk, Kota Padawan, Kuching
- St. Dominic's Church, Kuang, Serian
- St. Gerard Majella's Church, Sentah, Siburan
- St. Joseph's Church RCBM, ILKKM Kuching, Semenggok, Siburan
- St. Rita of Cascia Church, Pesang, Siburan and
- St. Joseph's Church, Bengoh, Siburan

Sacred Heart Church, Kota Sentosa, Kuching
- sub-parish of St. Mark the Apostle's Church, Batu Kawa, Kuching and
- Immaculate Conception Church, Sudat, Kota Sentosa, Kuching

Blessed Sacrament Church, BDC, Stampin, Kuching

Holy Spirit Church, Lundu
- sub-parishes of St. Clement Church, Perian/Senibong, Lundu
- St. Gregory Church, Selampit/Bitokan, Lundu
- St. Peter Church, Stungkor Lama, Lundu
- St. Vincent Church, Stungkor Baru, 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, 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
- Good Shepherd Church, Siru Dayak/Pueh, Sematan, Lundu
- St. Louis Church, Raso 1, Lundu
- St. Catherine Church, Raso 2, Lundu and
- Holy Family Church, Paon, Lundu

Holy Trinity Church, Kenyalang Park, Kuching
Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Sri Aman
- sub-parishes of Mount Hosanna Chapel, Sri Aman
- Holy Family Church, Betong
- St. Anthony Church, Skrang, Betong
- St. Ignatius Church, Saratok
- St. Matthew the Apostle Church, Meruji, Sg. Awik, Saratok and
- St. Peter Church, Jaong, Ulu Roban, 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 Norbert, Paon Gahat, Serian
SK St Anthony, Kawan, Serian
SK St Peter, Simpok, Kota Padawan
SK St Elizabeth, Tijirak, Siburan
SK St Francis Xavier, Seratau, Siburan
SK St Teresa, Stenggang, Bau
SK St John, Singai, Bau
SK St Patrick, Krokong, Bau

Secondary

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

References

^ "The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching - Mass & Service schedules". Retrieved 29 June 2020.
^ "Pope appoints new head to Malaysian Archdiocese of Kuching". www.archivioradiovaticana.va.
^ http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/kuch0.htm GCatholic.org
^ The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Priests
^ The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Priests
^ The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Parishes

Sources and external links

1°33′03″N 110°20′31″E / 1.5508°N 110.3420°E / 1.5508; 110.3420

[1] "The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching - Mass & Service schedules". Retrieved 29 June 2020.

[2] "Pope appoints new head to Malaysian Archdiocese of Kuching". www.archivioradiovaticana.va.

[3] ttp://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/kuch0.htm GCatholic.org

[4] The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Priests

[5] The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Priests

[6] The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Parishes

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