Bishop Cornelius celebrates 75th birthday, reflects on milestones

Jul 12, 2024

KENINGAU: Bishop Cornelius Piong of the Diocese of Keningau celebrated his 75th birthday at the Holy Family Pilgrimage Centre in Nulu Sosopon on July 1. Cardinal Sebastian Francis praised Bishop Cornelius for his extensive experience, describing him as “more than just the Bishop of Keningau; he is a father, grandfather, leader, and penghulu. His golden experience will help the Diocese of Keningau become a synodal diocese.”

The celebration also marked the commencement of the 114th meeting of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. The event was attended by notable figures, including the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski.

The festivities began with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Bishop Cornelius and concelebrated by fellow bishops and clergy from Keningau, Kota Kinabalu and his classmates at College General, Penang. During the Mass, attended by more than 3,000 people, Bishop Cornelius expressed gratitude, stating, “Thank you all for your presence. This is not a celebration for me but a celebration for all of us.”

Reflecting on his milestones, Bishop Cornelius humorously remarked, “I myself did not expect to reach the age of 75, but I believe God allows and always enables me to be His instrument.” As the first Bumiputera bishop in Sabah, he recalled the 25th anniversary of the Diocese of Keningau in 2018, drawing inspiration from Jesus’ prayer in John 17. He emphasised three key points from the prayer: unity among followers, protection from evil, and living in holiness.
After the Mass, the celebration continued in the Dewan Keluarga Kudus with several noteworthy highlights. The prelate was presented with a brand-new four-wheel drive vehicle as a gift, and the Apostolic Nuncio presented him with a framed token of Pope Francis’ apostolic blessing. A brief biography of Bishop Cornelius Piong was also released during the event. Additionally, he received a surprise gift of a three-foot statue of the Virgin Mary from the staff of Kemabong Mission and the Cathedral of St Francis Xavier.

The celebration featured cultural performances from each parish, some of which have won international awards. A Muslim politician, Datuk Annuar Ayub @ Banand, sponsored a birthday cake weighing more than five kilograms. The event also included a special performance by Bishop Cornelius, who sang his self-composed song Maria Tina Za do Koupusan (Mary, Our Beloved Mother).

Fr Paul Mikin, the first priest ordained by Bishop Cornelius on September 9, 1993, highlighted the bishop’s virtues, saying, “God blessed Bishop Cornelius Piong, a fatherly figure, with qualities of patience, insight, unity, love, holiness, loyalty, diligence, wisdom, who has close relationships with God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and deep reverence for Mother Mary. He proves that the Sabahan native is capable of leading God’s people of all races.”

Cardinal Sebastian, a classmate of Bishop Cornelius at College General during the late 1960s and early 1970s, commended him as “the longest-serving member of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.” He described Bishop Cornelius as “a good man, a faithful apostle, and a follower of God who dares to show the face of Jesus through speaking or acting in a very simple way.”

Bishop Cornelius recently celebrated his 31st episcopal anniversary on May 1. Born on July 1, 1949, in Kg Purun, Kuala Penyu, he was ordained as a priest on March 27, 1977. He was installed as the first bishop of the Keningau Diocese on May 6, 1993. His episcopal motto, “Belonging is Happiness,” reflects his commitment to fostering a sense of community and unity within the diocese.