Sabahans exhorted to walk together as a synodal church

Cardinal Sebastian Francis encouraged the 637 participants of the recently concluded PAX Assembly 2024 to “rejoice because your name is written in heaven!”

Oct 18, 2024


KOTA KINABALU:
Cardinal Sebastian Francis encouraged the 637 participants of the recently concluded PAX Assembly 2024 to “rejoice because your name is written in heaven!” The prelate said this during the assembly’s closing Mass. The PAX event took place at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart Centre from October 3 to 5, drawing attendees from 23 parishes across the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.

The PAX Assembly has been a cornerstone of the Catholic Church in Kota Kinabalu since its establishment in 1971 under Bishop Peter Chung, the former Apostolic Vicar. PAX, which stands for the Pastoral Constitution of the Catholic Church in Sabah, means “peace” in Latin. Historically, the assembly has functioned as a forum for addressing pastoral issues raised by parishes and PAX commissions. While annual themes were introduced in 1979, they were discontinued in 1997 after the launch of the Diocesan Vision and Mission, which now guides the assembly as a platform for collective discernment.

The assembly began with a para-liturgy led by Fr Thomas Madanan, centred on the theme Celebrating and Listening. Archbishop John Wong, the prelate of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, inaugurated the event and expressed his delight at the impressive turnout. He highlighted the significant changes in this year’s PAX Assembly format, noting that it was the first time the gathering was held at the Centre instead of the Bundu Tuhan Retreat Centre, allowing for a larger group of participants.

This year’s assembly introduced a unique format that promoted active participation. Rather than a few speakers dominating the stage, participants were divided into 77 groups for sharing and engaging in spiritual conversations. Archbishop Wong underscored the significance of sharing the history of early evangelisation in Borneo and presented 23 videos that highlighted the missionaries’ initial arrival and their parish pastoral action plans addressing various church, community, ecological, and social issues.

On the final day of the assembly, Cardinal Sebastian delivered a talk on the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 (MPC2026), encouraging participants to reflect on Ephesians 4:23-24, which speaks to renewal and the pursuit of righteousness. He emphasised the importance of synodal conversion, framing every correction from the Church as an invitation for repentance and renewal.

The cardinal also announced several significant upcoming events scheduled from 2025 to 2027:

-- Malaysian Youth Assembly: April 1-5, 2025, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. 
-- Launch of the Malaysian Cross Journey: Beginning at the Youth Assembly in Sabah, visiting nine dioceses, and concluding at MPC2026 in Johor.
-- Sabah Regional Pastoral Assembly: May 2025, in Kota Kinabalu.
-- College General Penang’s 360th Anniversary: September 28-October 1, 2025.
-- Second Asian Mission Congress: November 13-16, 2025, at the Minor Basilica, St Anne, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. 
-- First MPC: August 2026, culminating with the Malaysian Cross Journey at MAJODI, Johor. 
-- World Youth Day: 2027 in South Korea, themed Take courage! I have overcome the world (Jn 16:33).

In his closing remarks, Cardinal Sebastian encouraged participants to continue walking together as a synodal Church, committed to communion, participation, and mission in preparation for the upcoming MPC, and urged them to engage in regular conversations in the Spirit.

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