Most Rev Simon Poh is the third Archbishop of Kuching Archdiocese

Apr 02, 2017

KUCHING: Kuching’s new shepherd was installed as the third Archbishop of the Catholic Metropolitan of Kuching in a ceremony attended by thousands of Catholics, politicians and interfaith leaders. The faithful from far and near thronged St Joseph’s Cathedral on March 20 for the handing over and canonical possession of the Archdiocese of Kuching by the new Archbishop.

Archbishop Simon Poh told the archdiocese that his desire is for the community to follow the example of St Joseph, Spouse of Mary and patron of the cathedral, to be humble, obedient and to willingly trust God.

“Today, the Solemnity of St Joseph, Spouse of Mary, we heard in the Gospel that he was a man who placed complete trust in what God calls him to do. Although in the Gospel not much is recorded about Joseph, the few passages speak volumes about him, a man of faith and integrity and mercy. Joseph was shocked when he found Mary already with child. But God intervened in a dream and Joseph responded with faith to believe in God and took Mary as his wife.

“This simple and noble man, St Joseph, has inspired the Kuching Archdiocese in education, in the mission school that is St Joseph School, which is now opening a St Joseph private school and St Joseph international school. St Joseph was also my school and the school for many priests here.

“Holistic education for life is one of the missions that I, as Archbishop, will work with the priests, brothers, religious, and importantly lay principles, headmasters and workers especially school teachers to foster.

“Joseph also worked with his hands as a carpenter and today…throughout the world, we have Labour Day; we emulate by celebrating St Joseph the worker. …It means that the Church gives dignity to work and the human persons are servants of the Lord. We are called to get our hands dirty, to open the doors of our Church and get out into the streets serving the poor and the needy.

“The archdiocese of Kuching embarks on the 3R process (Review, Reassessment and Renewal.) We are going through this process by using a questionnaire. I am glad that it is also available online. We are seeking a vision of what we want our Church to be and seek ways to live this vision in our parishes.”

The new Archbishop invited all the faithful to bring the questionnaire to the kampungs and all corners of their parishes so that the voice of the least, the last, the lost and the little would be heard.

“I invite you to join me, together with your priests, parish councils and leaders, and we will review, reassess, renew and seek God’s vision and our mission in the Archdiocese of Kuching.

“Like Joseph, I am also called to be a guardian, to be a father to my priests here, to care for this family, the Church in the archdiocese. I will be working together with all people of goodwill, also all people of goodwill from interfaith leaders, to work for the common good of all, to respect human dignity towards building a better society together. Let’s work together to make this world a better place.”

Concluding his homily, Archbishop Simon Poh expressed his gratitude and loyalty to Pope Francis. He pledged his commitment to the faithful, Religious, Priests of the Archdiocese of Kuching and to the Malaysian Church, building on the good work that had begun with Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung and carried on by Archbishop John Ha.

Archbishop John Ha in his speech expressed his gratitude to the Holy Father for accepting his request to resign from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Kuching and for appointing His Excellency, Archbishop Simon Poh, as his successor.

“I am the happiest man in this cathedral. I (have) passed my tongkat to my successor,” said Archbishop Emeritus John Ha.

“It is not that Richard Ng and Joseph Hii are not capable to succeed me but Simon has been involved actively in the pastoral care of the archdiocese and, as a result of his involvement, he knows the ins and the outs of the archdiocese,” he explained.

“Congratulations Simon, and to all faithful in the archdiocese, Archbishop Simon Poh is now your Archbishop! We thank God for him and I am sure you will give him full support and keep him in your prayers. May God make him a shepherd who listens to his flock,” added the archbishop emeritus.

The Diocese of Kuching was created as the Apostolic Prefecture of Sarawak by Pope Pius XI on February 5, 1927. On February 14, 1952, it was promoted to Apostolic Vicariate of Kuching by Pope Pius XII. Finally, it was elevated to the rank of a metropolitan archdiocese by Pope Paul VI on 31 May 1976, with the suffragan sees of Miri and Sibu.

Kuching has the largest Catholic population in the state.

There are 11 parishes, with an estimated Catholic population of 197,134. There is a mix of various religions and languages in Kuching. Kuching’s population consists of Malays, Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh, other Bumiputras, Melanau, Indian and others. The Chinese consist of Foochow, Teochew, Hainan, Cantonese, Henghua and others.