By Joseph Masilamany
SARAWAK – A new Catholic Church in Malaysia’s Christian-majority Sarawak state has been hailed as a testament to religious pluralism and harmony by social and religious leaders.
St Peter’s Church, under the Kuching Archdiocese in the state capital, was inaugurated on Jun 29.
Sarawak’s premier, Abang Johari Tun Openg, in his message for the opening ceremony, called the new Church “a living portrait of unity” that reflects Sarawak’s unique brand of multiracial and multi-religious harmony.
“This church is not only a place for prayer and reflection, it is a powerful testament to the resilience, vision, and deep-rooted faith of Sarawak’s people,” he said in the message read by his deputy, Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, during the opening.
He added that the Gothic-style church, built within view of mosques, temples, and other places of worship, stands as a symbol of peaceful coexistence.
“In Sarawak, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not just slogans but a way of life,” he said. “This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly become a major tourism landmark in the years to come.”
Archbishop Simon Poh of Kuching, who officiated the blessing of the church, said the building has already become a topic of discussion on social media, as other prominent religious landmarks surround it.
“St Peter’s Church complements Kuching’s beautiful symphony of religious harmony, friendship, and goodwill,” Poh said. “It now stands proudly alongside the State mosque, Sikh and Hindu temples, Indian Muslims’ Surau, Anglican and Chinese temples.”
“It represents the Catholic community as an integral pillar of this unity, a blessing to future generations,” he said, adding that people have been visiting the church since its soft opening last December
He also noted that the entire structure was built by local Sarawakian builders using locally sourced materials. “Even the metalwork was custom-forged in Kuching,” Poh said.
Poh expressed his gratitude to the Sarawak government for creating and supporting the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), an interfaith body promoting harmony.
He described it as a “landmark commitment to inclusiveness and interfaith peace.”
Founded in 2017, UNIFOR is Malaysia’s only state-run agency dedicated to supporting non-Muslim religions, providing financial assistance.
UNIFOR has facilitated the construction and repair of churches, temples, gurdwaras, and indigenous prayer spaces throughout Sarawak, with a particular focus on rural and underserved communities.
“This is not just an administrative unit, it is a symbol of Sarawak’s moral leadership and commitment to peace,” Poh said. “In a time when religious tensions elsewhere threaten to divide, UNIFOR reminds us that unity in diversity is not only possible, it is essential.”
He said the funds to build the church, costing 38 million ringgits (US$9 million), came from various sources, including public donations, crowdfunding, and an allocation of 3 million ringgits from UNIFOR.
“Sarawak is not only embracing the principle of unity in diversity, it is taking a bold and inspiring step further by actively promoting equality in diversity,” Cardinal Bishop Sebastian Francis of Penang, who attended the event, told UCA News.
“This means that beyond simply coexisting, the people and state of Sarawak are nurturing a deeper sense of mutual respect, inclusion, and shared dignity among all communities, regardless of ethnicity, faith, or background,” he added.
Lawmaker Wilfred Yap told UCA News that St Peter’s Church “powerfully embodies the interfaith harmony” that Sarawak is known for.
“St Peter’s is not just a place of worship, it’s a living portrait of unity, where Gothic spires stand tall beside temples and mosques, showing that diversity is our greatest strength,” Yap said. – UCA News
