The Archdiocese of Kuching (; 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 : Diocese of Miri Diocese of Sibu.
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.http://www.gcatholic.org/dioceses/diocese/kuch0.htm GCatholic.org
Apostolic Prefects of Sarawak No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1Edmund Dunn, MHM (1857-1933)192719352Aloysius Hopfgartner, MHM (1874-1949)193519493Jan Vos, MHM (1902-1973)19491952
Apostolic Vicars of Sarawak No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1Jan Vos, MHM (1902-1973)195219682Charles Reiterer, MHM (1923-1974)196819743Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting (born 1928)19751976
Archbishops of Kuching No.PortraitNamePeriod in officeInsignia1Dato' Sri Peter Chung Hoan Ting (born 1928)31 May 1976 – 21 June 20032Dato John Ha Tiong Hock (born 1947)16 July 2003 – 4 March 20173Dato 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 The Very Rev. Msgr. William Sabang
Diocesan Chancellor Rev. Fr. Patrick Heng
Diocesan Deacons N/A Diocesan Seminarians
Seminarian Boniface Chang
Diocesan Clergies Rev. Fr. Abel Madisang (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu) Rev. Fr. Addie Frank Lingge Rev. Fr. Adrian Kho Rev. Fr. Augustine Jepy Rev. Fr. Bernard Jim Bujang Rev. Fr. Casimir Henrry Umar Rev. Fr. Christopher Laden Rev. Fr. Dannie Luis Romanus Rev. Fr. Davie Entalai Rev. Fr. Felix Au Rev. Fr. Francis Dakun (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau) Rev. Fr. Galvin Richard Ngumbang Rev. Fr. Henry Jimbey Rev. Fr. Jerome Juleng Rev. Fr. John Chong Rev. Fr. John Ekly Direk Rev. Fr. Joseph Chai Rev. Fr. Joseph Liew Rev. Fr. Lazarus Swinie Rev. Fr. Leonard Yap Rev. Fr. Mark Noel Bunchol Rev. Fr. Martin Wong Rev. Fr. Nicholas Ng Rev. Fr. Paul Herry Rev. Fr. Paul Ling Keh Yiing (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu) Rev. Fr. Peter Liston Rev. Fr. Robert Jissem Rev. Fr. Stephen Chin Rev. Fr. Stephen Lim Rev. Fr. Vincent Chin Chu YangThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Priests
Religious Clergies Rev. Fr. David Au, OFM Rev. Fr. Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu) Rev. Fr. Joseph Lee Hock Jin, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Sibu) Rev. Fr. Joseph Ng, SJ Rev. Fr. Lucas Ng, CDD (Outstationed from Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur) 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 Yu Ming, SJ (Jesuit missionary from Singapore)
Deceased Bishops Msgr. Edmund Dunn, MHM (1857-1933) Msgr. Aloysius (Alois) Hopfgartner, MHM (1874-1949) Msgr. John (Jan) Vos, MHM (1902-1973) Msgr. Charles (Karl) Reiterer, MHM (1923-1974)
Deceased Clergies Rev. Fr. Peter Aichner, MHM (1914–1995) Rev. Fr. Joachim Pang (1921–2007) Rev. Fr. Leopold van Rooyen, MHM (1917–2008) Rev. Fr. Richard Khoo Choon Phoe (1940–2016) Rev. Fr. Terence Burke, MHM (1944–2017) Rev. Fr. James Meehan, MHM (1933–2018) Rev. Fr. Noel Hanrahan, MHM (1928–2019) Rev. Fr. Dato Lawrence Chua (1936–2021) Rev. Fr. Michael O'Brien, MHM (1941–2022) Rev. Fr. Peter Ng Kan Lim (1941–2026)The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kuching | Priests
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, 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'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 St. Michael's Church, Longgo/Merang Bedup, Serian St. Adrian's Church, Semukoi, Serian St. Francis Xavier's Church, Sg. Lingkau, Simunjan St. John Chrysostom's Church, Melanjok, Simunjan and St. Louis' Church, Kuhom, Serian St. Stephen's Church, Bau sub-parishes of St. Agnes Tsaou's Church, Grogo, Bau Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Suba, 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 the Confessor 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, Sg. Pinang, Bau St. Paul's Church, Boka Toya, Sg. Pinang, 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. Barnabas' Church, Skiat Lama, 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