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.

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.

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.

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	Period in office
1	Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting (born 1928)	31 May 1976 – 21 June 2003
2	Dato John Ha Tiong Hock (born 1947)	16 July 2003 – 4 March 2017
3	Dato Dr. Simon Peter Poh Hoon Seng (born 1963)	20 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

Sarawak The Very Rev. Msgr. William Sabang

Diocesan Chancellor

Sarawak Rev. Fr. Patrick Heng

Diocesan Deacons

Deacon Addie Frank Lingge

Diocesan Seminarians

Seminarian Boniface Chang

Diocesan Clergies

Sarawak Rev. Fr. Adrian Kho
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Augustine Jepy
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Bernard Jim Bujang
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Casimir Henrry Umar
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Christopher Laden
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Dannie Luis Romanus
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Davie Entalai
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Felix Au
Sabah Rev. Fr. Francis Dakun (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Galvin Richard Ngumbang
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Henry Jimbey
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Jerome Juleng
Sarawak Rev. Fr. John Chong
Sarawak Rev. Fr. John Ekly Direk
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Joseph Chai
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Joseph Liew
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Lazarus Swinie
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Leonard Yap
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Mark Noel Bunchol
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Martin Wong
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ng
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Paul Herry
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Paul Ling Keh Yiing (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Peter Liston
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Robert Jissem
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Stephen Chin
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Stephen Lim
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Vincent Chin Chu Yang

Religious Clergies

Sabah Rev. Fr. Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Joseph Lee Hock Jin, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Joseph Ng, SJ
Federal Territories of Malaysia Rev. Fr. Lucas Ng, CDD (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur)
Sabah 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)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Joachim Pang (1921–2007)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Richard Khoo Choon Phoe (1940–2016)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Dato Lawrence Chua (1936–2021)
Sarawak Rev. Fr. Peter Ng Kan Lim (1941–2026)

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 Taman Budaya, Kuching (old view). 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 and Mother Mary Chapel cum Archbishop's residence, Stutong, Kuching St Peter Padungan new church. 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, Gedong, 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, Gedong, 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. Philip's Church, Koran Mawang, 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, Balai Ringin, Serian St. Lawrence's Church, Kpg. Sg. Engkabang, Serian St. Dominic's Church, Menyang A, Balai Ringin, Serian St. Patrick's Church, Krangan, Balai Ringin, Serian St. Rose of Lima's Church, Antayan Keropok, Balai Ringin, 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, Gedong, 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 St. Joseph's Church, Semada Belatok, Serian St. Ann's Church, Kakai, Serian St. Joseph's Church, Balai Ringin, Serian St. Monica's Church, Junggu Mawang/Batu Kudi, Balai Ringin, Serian St. Michael's Church, Krangan Jaya, Balai Ringin, Serian and St. Michael's Church, Longgo/Merang Bedup, 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 St. Mary's Church, Bogag, Serikin, Bau and St. Joachim's Church, Segubang, 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 St. William, Payau Burus, Serian and St. Timothy, Sejijag, Serian St. Ann's Church in Kota Padawan, also known as Baruk, managed by the Franciscans. 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. Andrew's Church, Sitaang, Siburan St. Luke the Evangelist's Church, Petag/Bangau, 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 St. Joseph's Church, Bengoh, Siburan St. John De Brebeuf Church, Tematu, Kota Sentosa, Kuching and Sacred Heart Church, Semeba, Kota Sentosa, Kuching Sacred Heart Church in Kota Sentosa, Kuching. Sacred Heart Church, Kota Sentosa, Kuching sub-parish of St. Mark the Apostle's Church, Batu Kawa, Kuching Immaculate Conception Church, Sudat, Kota Sentosa, Kuching Sacred Heart Church, Sarawak Heart Centre, Kota Samarahan St. Joseph's Church, Sg. Empit, Kota Samarahan and Assumption of Our Lady Church, Sampun Kelili, Asajaya, Kota Samarahan Blessed Sacrament Church in BDC, Stampin, 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 in Kenyalang Park, Kuching. 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 St. Peter Church, Jaong, Ulu Roban, Saratok and St. Michael the Archangel Church, Kaong Ulu, Lubok Antu

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 Sacred Heart, Semeba, Batu Kitang, 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

Sources and external links

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