CATHOLIC today’s
A monthly publication of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak
Permit No PPK 148/01/2013(031378)
Vol 29 No 1 April 2017
Inside... World meeting of families 21-26 Aug 2018
P8
Who put Christ on the cross?
P10
Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mt 27:46
今日教友 第十六至二十二頁
A new shepherd for the Archdiocese of Kuching KUCHING — Newlyinstalled Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kuching, Archbishop Simon Poh, invited all faithful to discern God's vision and to plan the direction of the archdiocese together. “As the Archdiocese of Kuching embarks on the process we call ‘3R’, Review, Reassess and Renew... we are seeking a vision of what we want our Church to be, and seek ways to live out this mission in our parishes,” said Archbishop Simon during his homily. In 2012, the Archdiocese of Kuching held the Archdiocesan Pastoral Congress to assist the-then Archbishop of Kuching, Archbishop John Ha in crafting the direction of the archdiocese. The result of the Congress was the “ACTS of the Congress”, a set of action plans for the pastoral direction of the archdiocese. This year, the local church reviews and reassesses the ACTS. Survey questionnaire forms are made available for this purpose. The findings of the review will be brought to the archdiocesan assembly scheduled on 18 - 20 August. “Bring the questionnaire forms to all corners of the parishes. Let the voice of the Lord speak to us through single mothers, broken families, the farmers, the poor and the needy, the sick and housebound... so that we can respond with mercy and love, especially the least, the lost and the last. “So I invite you, join me, together with your priests, parish councils and leaders, we review, reassess, renew
and seek God’s vision and our mission in the Archdiocese of Kuching,” he said. Archbishop Simon Poh, 53, who succeeded Archbishop John Ha as the third Archbishop of Kuching, took canonical possession of the archdiocese on 20 March with a Holy Mass attended by more than 3000 and in the presence of about 80 priests, nine arch/bishops, dignitaries and representatives from other faiths. The occasion coincided with the celebration of the solemnity of St Joseph, Husband of Mary, the patron of the archdiocese and St Joseph’s Cathedral. The installation ceremony began with Archbishop Simon Poh venerating the crucifix at the entrance of the Cathedral. Archbishop Joseph Marino, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, then read the Decree of the Apostolic Nunciature certifying the appointment of the new archbishop of Kuching. Prior to that, the prelate explained that the Apostolic Letter by Pope Francis, which was supposed to be read, did not arrive in time. Therefore the Decree was read instead. The Decree was then shown to the College of Consultors. Archbishop Simon Poh then affirmed his appointment by saying: “Trusting in the Lord, I accept the ministry entrusted to me ... and so thereby, I take canonical possession of my Archdiocese.” With that, he was led to and seated in the Cathedra. The Cathedra (“chair” in Latin) is a sign of the bishop’s teaching office and the place from which he leads the faithful in prayer.
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Newly installed Archbishop of Kuching, Archbishop Simon Poh, holding the Crosier in his hand. (Photo: Danison Manium)
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