The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu (Latin language: Archdioecesis Kotakinabaluensis; Malay: Keuskupan Agung Kota Kinabalu; Mandarin: 哥打京那巴鲁总教区) is a metropolitan archdiocese of the Latin Church of the Catholic Church in Sabah, Malaysia, on the island of Borneo. The archdiocese is the oldest ecclesiastical territory in Malaysia, with a long history slowly rising along with the Catholic population from a prefecture to an archdiocese. Its cathedral archepiscopal see is Sacred Heart Cathedral, Kota Kinabalu. The patron saint of the archdiocese is St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
History Originally erected on 4 September 1855 as the Apostolic prefecture of Labuan and Borneo, created on territory split off from the then Apostolic Vicariate of Batavia (Java) (including the neighbouring Dutch East Indies).
On 5 February 1927 it was renamed the Apostolic Prefecture of Northern Borneo, and lost territory to form the Apostolic Prefecture of Sarawak (now Dioceses of Kuching, Sibu and Miri).
On 14 February 1952 the prefecture was promoted to Apostolic Vicariate of Jesselton, hence entitled to a titular bishop. On 22 March 1962 its name was changed once more to the Apostolic Vicariate of Kota Kinabalu, after its see.
On 31 May 1976 the vicariate was elevated to a full Diocese of Kota Kinabalu, suffragan in the ecclesiastical province of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kuching.
The diocese lost territories twice, to create its present suffragans : on 17 December 1992 the diocese the Diocese of Keningau with the appointment of Cornelius Piong. on 16 July 2007 the Diocese of Sandakan with the appointment of Julius Dusin Gitom.
On 23 May 2008, by the papal bull "Cum Ecclesia Catholica", the diocese was elevated to Metropolitan Archdiocese, whose ecclesiastical province comprises the above suffragan dioceses, both formerly part of the original territory of the diocese of Kota Kinabalu: the Dioceses of Keningau and Sandakan.
On 21 June 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed John Wong Soo Kau, director of the aspirants' formation house in Kota Kinabalu, as Coadjutor Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu. His ordination took place on 1 October 2010 and was installed as the second and current Archbishop of this diocese in 2013. His predecessor, John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw, has been served as the first Archbishop from 1987 to his retirement on 1 December 2012.
Prelates Apostolic prefects of Labuan and Borneo No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1Don Carlos Cuarteroni (1816-1880)23 August 1855March 1879
Apostolic prefects of Labuan and Northern Borneo No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1Thomas Jackson, MHM (1846-1916)18 July 188120 October 18952Edmund Dunn, MHM (1857-1933)4 May 18975 February 1927
Apostolic prefects of Northern Borneo No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1August Wachter, MHM (1878-1945)26 July 19276 August 19452James Buis, MHM (1902-1980)18 January 194714 February 1952
Apostolic vicars of Jesselton/Kota Kinabalu No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1James Buis, MHM (1902-1980)1 May 19521 August 19722Peter Chung Hoan Ting (born 1928)15 November 197031 May 19753 Simon Michael Fung Kui Heong (1931-1985)29 August 197531 May 1976
Bishops of Kota Kinabalu No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1 Simon Michael Fung Kui Heong (1931-1985)31 May 197616 November 1985 (Died)2John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw (born 1933)26 June 198723 May 2008
Archbishops of Kota Kinabalu No.PortraitNameFromUntilInsignia1John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw (born 1933)23 May 200825 January 2013 (Resigned)2John Wong Soo Kau (born 1969)26 January 2013Present
Clergy
College of Consultors
President
Most Rev Datuk John Wong Soo Kau DD, Archbishop
Vicar General Rev Msgr Nicholas Stephen Juki Tinsung Moujing
Diocesan Chancellor Rev Wilfred Petrus Atin
Clergy Members Rev Paul Lo Chee Khong Rev Sunny Chung Rev Rhobby Mojolou Rev Matheus Luta
Retired Clergy Most Rev Archbishop Emeritus Datuk John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw (First Archbishop, 1976–2013) Rev Datuk Primus Jouil (Vicar General Emeritus) Rev Datuk Felix Chung Chi Lok Rev Francis Tsen Rev Cosmas Lee Khod Min
Transitional Deacons Deacon Tony Bingkuan, OFM Cap Deacon Yoseph Jup Matias
Diocesan Seminarians / Friars Friar Joshua Yong, OFM Cap
Diocesan Priests Rev Aloysius Fidelis Rev Ambrose Michael Atang Rev Bradley Belly Stephen Rev Canisius Benjamin Santee Rev Daniel Jomilong Rev David Sham Rev Florian Marcus Dompok Rev Frederick Raymond Misius Rev Gilbert Marcus Dompok Rev Isidore Gilbert Gondilou Rev Jack Johimi Sigam Rev Jalius Sading Rev Jeffri Gumu Rev Jerry Joseph Muhamat Rev Johnny Raju Rev Joshua Liew Chi Kiong Rev Maximillianno Benhor Hontor Rev Michael John Modoit Rev Patrick Erik Jerome Rev Peter Chung Pit Soon Rev Dr. Peter Nicholas Abas Rev Postinus Fidelis Kurup Rev Rayner Bisius Rev Saimon William Shen (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau) Rev Sylvester Wong Vun Cheong Rev Thomas Madanan Rev Thomas Yip Wee Tsung (Outstationed from Diocese of Penang) Rev William Poilis Rev Wilson Francis Bandaran Rev Zeno Lasius Gantis
Religious Priests
Rev Columba Wennidy (Ned Dousia) Moujing, OSB Rev Cruzender Alex, OFM Rev Gerald Terence Saimel, OFM Rev Joseph Fung, SJ Rev Lawrence Kim Jin-su, SST (Mirinae Missionary) Rev Moses Yap Poh Sing, OFM (Outstationed from Diocese of Malacca-Johor)
On Mission / On Study Leave Rev Abel Madisang Rev Aiden Peter Jr, OFM Rev Benedict Daulis Runsab Rev Claurence Motoyou, OFM Rev Cosmas Francis Yasun, OFM Rev Crispus Mosinoh, OFM Rev Cristiano James Willie Sumbat, MHM Rev Don Don Romero Ramerez, OFM Rev Edward Raymond Misius Rev Elvost Lunchi, MHM Rev Gilbert James Augustine Janggul, OFM Cap Rev Giovanni Chrysostomus Sugau, CSE Rev Herman Menjuan, MHM Rev Mitchelly Kiun Solidau Rev Nalerin Erone Nahfirin, SJ (Outstationed from Diocese of Keningau) Rev Robin Lormangkok, CSsR Rev Russell Lawrine Samin Rev Sixtus Pitah Amit, OFM Rev Terans Thadeus John Dunggi Rev Tony Gideon Mojiwat Rev Brother Allan Kosidi Rev Brother Markarthur Steve Bailon Rev Brother Matthew Lo Nam Yee Rev Brother Mejoery Simon Rev Brother Owen Victor Valerian Rev Brother Peter Langgayang, OFM Cap
List of parishes As of 2023, there are 23 parishes across 4 deaneries including various sub-parishes and 229 outstations found in the Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. Kota Kinabalu City Deanery (8 parishes) Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish, Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu sub-parish of Carmelite Monastery Chapel, Karamunsing, Kota Kinabalu St Simon the Zealot's Parish, Likas, Kota Kinabalu
Church of Mary Immaculate Parish, Bukit Padang, Luyang, Kota Kinabalu
Stella Maris Parish, Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu sub-parish of St Catherine Laboure's Church Imbaan, Putatan, Penampang St. Thomas More's Parish, Kepayan, Kota Kinabalu sub-parish of St John's Chapel, Kopungit, Kepayan, Kota Kinabalu St. Catherine of Siena's Parish, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu sub-parishes of St. Teresa de Avila's Church, Bantayan/Pangasaan, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu St Simon's Church, Pulau Penampang, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu St Victor's Church, Bambangan, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu St Paul's Church, Kionsom Kecil, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu St. Felicianus' Church, Kitobu/Kawakaan, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu St Mary's Church, Kionsom, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu and St Patrick's Church, Kiambalang, Inanam, Kota Kinabalu Good Shepherd's Parish, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu
sub-parishes of St James' Church, Bongkud, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu St Jacob's Church, Tombongon, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu St Joseph's Church, Kokol, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Togung, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Binaung Baru, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu and St Stephen's Church, Keliangau, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu Holy Family Parish, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu sub-parishes of Church of the Divine Mercy, Malawa, KKIP Sepanggar, Manggatal, Kota Kinabalu (formerly Our Lady of Fatima Church, Malawa, KKIP Sepanggar, Manggatal) St Flora's Church, Lapasan, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu St Mary Magdalene's Church, Kayu Madang, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu St Peter's Church, Tampulan, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu St Anne's Church, Lawa Mondou, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu St Lazarus' Church, Natai, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu St Irenaeus' Church, Natai Siba, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu and St Francis Xavier's Church, Bunsut, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu North West Coast Division Deanery (5 parishes) St. John the Evangelist's Parish, Labuaya, Tuaran Central/Tamparuli Zone St Philip the Apostle's Church/St. Veronica's Chapel on the Hill (Station of the Cross site), Kiansom, Tamparuli St Anthony's Church, Kauluan, Tamparuli, Tuaran St Simon's Church, Tambalaung, Tamparuli, Tuaran St Faustina Kowalska's Church, Rambai, Tamparuli (formerly St Luke the Evangelist, Rambai) St Joseph the Worker Church, Guakon, Tamparuli St Sebastian's Church, Bukit Giling, Telipok, Kota Kinabalu St Anthony of Padua's Church, Bundung, Topokon, Tuaran St Joan of Arc's Church, Logkou, Tamparuli, Tuaran St Paul's Church, Logub, Tamparuli, Tuaran St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina's Church, Sawah, Tamparuli (formerly St Thomas the Apostle's Church, Sawah) St Theresa Avilla's Church, Tongkurangoh, Tamparuli St Julius' Church, Bambangan Baru, Tuaran St Patrick's Church, Bundu Tohuri, Tuaran St Henry's Church, Kelawat, Tamparuli, Tuaran St Vicnent de Paul's Church Kibambangan, Bundu Tohuri, Tuaran (formerly St Julius' Church, Kibambangan, Bundu Tohuri) Koporingan Zone St Clare of Assisi's Church, Koporingan, Tamparuli St Stephen's Church, Kotunuan Baru, Tamparuli (formerly St Joseph's Church, Kotunuan Baru) St Martha of Bethany's Church, Loputung, Tamparuli St Juliana of Nicomedia's Church, Kapa, Tamparuli St Francis of Assisi's Church, Minangkob, Tamparuli St Cornelius the Pope's Church, Moingob, Tamparuli St Ignatius of Loyola Church, Puhus, Tamparuli (formerly St. Mary's Church, Puhus) St Anna's Church, Ruhiang, Tamparuli St Matthew the Apostle's Church, Bambangan Lama, Tamparuli St Paul's Church, Sinalapak, Tamparuli St Louis' Church, Tiong-Tiong, Tamparuli St Catherine of Siena's Church, Tomis Baru, Tamparuli (formerly St Mary's Church, Tomis Baru) Our Lady of Fatima Church, Bundu Rikos, Tamparuli St Vincent's Church, Bundu Gulu, Tamparuli Tenghilan Zone St James' Church, Tenghilan St Cecilia's Church, Gumoron, Tenghilan St Hillary of Poitiers' Church, Ponopuan, Tenghilan St Peter's Church, Koburan, Tenghilan Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Lapai, Tenghilan (formerly Holy Rosary, Lapai) St Jane Frances de Chantal's Church, Gumoron Siba, Tenghilan St Theresa of Lisieux's Church, Linsuk, Tenghilan St Monica's Church, Gumoron Sokid, Tenghilan St Mary's Church, Mesilou, Tenghilan St Francis' Church, Monggis, Tenghilan St Mark the Evangelist's Church, Napitas/Rasuna/Suromboton, Tenghilan St John's Church, Tinuhan, Tenghilan St Maria Goretti's Church, Molisou/Saradan, Tenghilan Topokon Zone St Mary Mother of God Church, Topokon, Tuaran St John's Church, Madang, Tuaran (formerly St Joseph's Church, Madang) St Peter's Church, Lapasan, Tenghilan St Theresa's Church, Toboh Baru, Tamparuli Holy Cross Church, Rungus, Tamparuli (formerly St Michael the Archangel's Church, Rungus) St Pedro Calungsod's Church, Pitas, Tuaran St Veronica of Binasco Church, Timbou, Tuaran St Benedict Abbot's Church, Wangkod, Tuaran St Dominic Savio's Church, Gontung, Tuaran Former zone: Pukak Zone (abolished; merged with parish of St. Joseph the Husband of Mary, Kiulu, Tuaran) St. Edmund the Martyr's Parish, Kota Belud Central Zone St. Flora's Church, Lasau Tintapon/Minunsud/Luba, Kota Belud St. William's Church, Tempasuk I, Kota Belud Kelawat Zone St. Thomas' Church, Kelawat, Kota Belud St. Raphael the Archangel's Church, Pompod, Kelawat, Kota Belud St. Anthony of Padua's Church, Pituru, Kota Belud