KUCHING – A commotion occurred on Saturday evening at St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching, and video clips of the incident have been widely circulated in the cyber world. In view of this, Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh has issued the following press statement:
This incident happened on Mar 8 2025 during Saturday Sunset Mass in St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching, that involved a man who threw down and broke a bottle in front of the Altar during Mass. We learnt from social media that he was mentally disturbed after the death of his mother.
From the videos, we can see that the whole congregation in the Cathedral was shocked and alarmed, including the children who were at the material time preparing to enter the Cathedral after a session called “Children’s Liturgy of the Word” – where parents and teachers share the story and teaching of the Sunday’s Gospel with these children.
We are grateful that there was no physical violence when the ushers stood beside the agitated man and gently ushered him out of the Cathedral, while he was still apparently angry and shouting. We thank the Police for the fast response to come to the Cathedral to escort the man and to send him for medical treatment.
In the events that followed, the altar servers and sacristan quickly cleaned up the broken bottle; the teachers held the hands of the children; the priest, Fr Albert, came down to the aisle to comfort the children and congregation, and the Choir continued singing. The whole Cathedral prayed to our heavenly Father with the Lord’s Prayer, interceding for his healing and recovery. And Holy Mass continued until the end, with the Blessing to go in the Peace of the Lord.
From social postings, I know of an appeal from his sister: ‘We can only hope people who spread this pray for him and his mental health. He is battling with this issue since the passing of our mother. Anyone who remembers us will know it has not been easy; we try our best but he has reached a point where he doesn’t think life is worth living.’
As your Shepherd and Spiritual leader, I appeal to everyone to be kind with this person. As Catholics, Christians, and people of goodwill, this event is an invitation to show mercy, kindness and support for those who are struggling in life, especially with mental difficulties.
We are grateful that the incident also allowed for the police and later, medical intervention where he can now receive proper medical attention and treatment. We consider this a medical situation and as such, no police report was lodged.
We know that mental disorder causes emotional distress like anxiety, depression, that can be expressed in aggressive social behaviours and even suicidal tendency. Instead of condemning or causing further distress to the family, we are to reach out to offer help, reduce such stigma and offer support to the caregivers and family members.
Medically, when someone has diabetes, we consider this an illness in the body and treat it with medication. Likewise, when a person has an illness in his mind, we treat with medication, counselling etc. Just as we do not condemn a person with physical illness (diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, etc), we are to maintain the same attitude for those with mental disorder or illness. Let us understand mental disorder as an illness and extend support and medical intervention to help the person.
I appeal to all not to further viralise the videos, nor to post comments that add further pain and stigma to him and his family members. It is more important to give support to those who are struggling mentally and emotionally, to encourage them to go for counselling and get medical help. Instead, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God that everyone is safe and pray for our brother who is now receiving medical attention, and continue to give emotional support to his immediate family.
We continue to make our Churches a welcoming church where everyone is welcomed. For the Catholic Church worldwide, we are celebrating 2025 as the Jubilee Year of Hope. May everyone who enters our Churches experience God’s love and mercy and depart with hope and peace to make society and the world a better place.
During this 40-day season of Lent in preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, let us be aware that there are many other people who are struggling in life – whether for material, emotional or spiritual needs.
Let us visit people we know who are lonely, elderly, sick or housebound. In society, let us carry out works of mercy like donating blood, donating cash or in kind, for families in need.
I encourage our Catholics throughout Sarawak to give cash donations generously to the Catholic Welfare Services Sarawak, that will be used for the homeless, poor, students and families in need throughout the year.
Archbishop Simon Poh
St Joseph’s Cathedral
Kuching, Sarawak
