Aerial view of the new Catholic Archdiocesan Centre
Fr Cosmas Lee
Nov 12 2022
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain!” (Ps 127:1)
Your Excellency Archbishop Wojciech Załuski Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia,
Your Grace Archbishop John Wong, Metropolitan Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu,
Bishop Cornelius Piong of the Diocese of Keningau,
Priests, Religious, Parish Representatives from the Archdiocese of KK,
Consultants and Contractors, distinguished Guests and Donors,
Members of the Steering, Building and Fund-raising Committees, CAC Staff,
Brothers and sisters in the Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Good morning and Shalom!
………………………………..
May the name of God be praised for the gift of this Catholic Archdiocesan Centre (CAC), blessed and declared open by His Excellency the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia just moments ago.
Acquisition of a new property which is “probably a great asset to the mission in times to come”
Let’s get to the beginnings of this Centre’s amazing story by going back 91 years.
In his 1931 annual report to the Superior General of Mill Hill, Msgr. August Wachter, the first Prefect Apostolic of North Borneo, wrote: “A new property has been acquired during the year, which is probably a great asset to the mission in times to come. It has provided the mission for the time with the Carmel, a building for the Small (Preparatory) Seminary and another for the future Chinese Community of Catechistae (lady catechists). A fourth house is used for the time by the Chinese Catholic Young Men Society”.
The property had belonged to a prominent Catholic Mr. Joseph Yong Ah Hoi. It included a hilly piece of land measuring 11.3 acres peaking at where we may now call “Mt. Carmel”, and 4 existing buildings: One, a bungalow on the top of Mt. Carmel – present site of the Carmelite Monastery; two, another bungalow at the foot of Mt. Carmel – present site of the Initiation Year Seminary; three, a simple house near the road entrance from Jalan Kebajikan to Carmel; four, an attap house on a knoll at the western slope of Mt. Carmel – present site of CAC.
Looking then from Mt. Carmel in 1931: to the west was Jesselton RC Mission with its school-cum-priest-house (1904) and church (1911), then St Francis Convent and its School (1923). Beyond these was Kg. Sembulan and the stunning view of the South China Sea; to the east, majestic Mt. Kinabalu.
Msgr. Wachter had already rented Mr. Yong’s bungalow on Mt. Carmel in anticipation of the arrival of the first 7 Carmelites from Spain, who actually landed on 17 December 1930, just 9 days after the Opening of the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception (8 Dec 1930) which was using the other bungalow at the foot of Mt. Carmel, also rented from Mr. Yong.
Negotiation on the sale of the property had been going on for some time without progress simply because the Catholic Mission was too poor. But on the 7 January 1931, just 21 days after the Carmelites had stayed and prayed in his house at Mt. Carmel, Mr. Yong suddenly relented, and agreed to let the Mission have the whole property for 10,000 Straits Dollars, instead of the 20,000 he had insisted earlier. This was the first miracle worked by the praying Carmelites in North Borneo. Msgr. Wachter seized the property on the same day.
Msgr. Wachter envisaged that the property would probably be “a great asset to the mission in times to come”. Indeed, on this 11.3 acres of land, 5 important Catholic institutions have since been built: The Seminary (1930), Carmelite Monastery (1930), Kung Min School (1938) renamed Shan Tao in 1963 (1 March), St Francis Convent Secondary School (1959), and now the CAC (2022).
I am sure Msgr. Wachter was well aware that with the newly acquired property, the Catholic Mission was in possession of a total of 16.16 acres of land when combined with those of the Jesselton Mission (3.2 + .32) and St Francis Convent (1.34), all connected or within a short walking distance of each other. With the subsequent acquisitions of 3.37 acres for St Francis and Shan Tao Kindergartens in the 1970s, which virtually connects to the CAC, and the 3.06 acres at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Centre in 1997, we now own a total of 22.59 acres. On this vast expanse of hills and foothills, we also have large patches of mature trees and greeneries, an ecological heritage we hope to conserve as our contribution to keep Kota Kinabalu green and habitable.
History of the Catholic Administration Centers
Penampang Mission
When the Prefecture of North Borneo was erected in 1927, the de facto Mission Headquarters and administrative center was at the residence of Msgr. Wachter (installed 27 July) at St. Michael’s, Penampang. Msgr. Wachter died towards the end of WWII probably executed by the Japanese together with 7 other German-speaking missionaries.
Bishop’s House at Shantung Road
After the War, Msgr. James Buis was appointed Prefect Apostolic in 1947 (18 January). The Prefecture was raised to a Vicariate in 1952 (14 February) and Msgr. Buis was ordained first bishop (1 May). He led the Vicariate until his resignation in 1972. The 1950s saw the rapid expansion of Catholic Mission Schools throughout North Borneo. Apart from administrating the increasing number and size of mission stations, administration of schools constituted a large part of the vicariate office. Bishop Buis however worked from his residence at Shantung Road (previous Borneo Company Secretary’s House bought in 1953), present site of FSIC Generalate, which became the de facto admin center of the Catholic Mission.
The Old Seminary
Fr. Peter Chung was ordained bishop in 1970 (15 November) and speedily took over the duties of Bishop Buis. It was a distressful period, the time of the infamous “persecution”. The State Government of Sabah expelled a large number of our foreign missionaries. Bishop Chung, a Sarawakian citizen, was not allowed residency in Sabah and was forced to shepherd his Vicariate as a fortnightly visitor. Constantly in the air and on the road, he chose to stay and work closer to town, mostly at the old seminary, which became the admin center.
Catholic Diocesan Centre (CDC)
Bishop Simon Fung was ordained bishop and took over from Bishop Chung in 1975 (14 November). He moved into the previous house of the Daughters of St Paul at Dontozidon, present site of Bishop’s House.
As it happened so often in the history of the Church, the persecution in Sabah also brought about rapid changes and growth, particularly in the increasing participation of the lay people in the life and administration of the Church. “The Pastoral Council of the Catholic Church in Sabah”, PAX, was established in 1971 (12 April) with its Board of Directors and Commissions, followed by the formation of Parish Councils throughout Sabah, then the development of our own newspaper Catholic Sabah, then the arrival of renewal movements and apostolates, and then the unusual increase in the number of priestly and religious vocations. All these meant more administration and need for more space.
Rome raised the status of the Vicariate and erected the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu, and Bishop Fung was installed first Diocesan Bishop in 1977 (31 May). More and more acutely bishop Fung felt the need of a building dedicated to diocesan administration, and conceived the idea of a Catholic Diocesan Centre, CDC. Around 1985, with a generous grant from the previously persecuting State Government, construction of the CDC began at a newly acquired piece of land at Taman Hiburan, Penampang. Unfortunately, Bishop Fung died on 16 November 1985 and did not see its completion. Fr. John Lee, ordained and installed Diocesan Bishop in 1987 (26 June), saw to the completion of the CDC.
CDC building at Taman Hiburan, Penampang
The CDC building was blessed by Bishop Lee and opened (by T S Bernard Dompok) on 9 January 1988. The dynamic growth of the Diocese continued, manifested by the regular and passionate annual PAX Assemblies which tackled many core areas of Christian and Church life. This dynamic growth culminated in the formulation of the Diocesan Organization Pastoral Plan, DOPP, with a clear Vision and Mission statement, endorsed by all diocesan representatives on 8 June, and launched at the Cathedral on 16 September 1997. Implementing the DOPP would have obviously meant a phenomenal increase of administration and staff. In 2008 (23 May), the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu was raised to a Metropolitan See, the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu with the Dioceses of Keningau and Sandakan as suffragans.
CAC
His Grace John Wong became the Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu in 2012 (1 December). The pressing need for a new administrative center was again keenly felt. This need was aggravated firstly by the CDC’s awkward location. Sited deep within a residential area at a largely unknown locality and some distance from the city, unreachable directly by public transport, the Centre of the Catholic Church in Sabah was difficult to find and hard to get to, unconducive for major church events because it was in a residential area and confined by its limited grounds.
Secondly, the 35-year-old CDC building was crammed and inadequate with an outdated layout for efficient administration. The newer block next door, the Resource Centre, was dilapidating badly. It was time to move out.
Relocating? To where? The archbishop and many others seemed to have already made up their minds on the ideal locality and site, one that would be blessed with centrality, accessibility, prominence, and in a position to tap on existing and supporting facilities nearby: that’s here, on this prominent and beautiful knoll on the slope of Mt. Carmel, overlooking Kota Kinabalu, and next to the well-developed Cathedral parish, a site made available since Shan Tao Primary School relocated to Kepayan Ridge in January 2001.
With the immense grounds and amenities of the Sacred Heart especially the cathedral church, huge parish centre and parking space to use just next door, the present site near to the cathedral would be the most strategic location the Archdiocese could offer.
We should appreciate the powerful symbolism of physical togetherness of so many important Catholic institutions within such close distance in this 22.59 acres of Catholic land. On the summit, standing above all, is the Carmelite Monastery, the Archdiocesan House of Prayer, watching over and praying for the whole Local Church below, visibly represented by the Cathedral and the CAC buildings – the Mother Parish and admin centre of the Archdiocese. Just below the Carmel is the seminary which we may turn into the Archdiocesan Youth Centre and move the seminarians to join the aspiring ones at the old CDC which would then be dedicated to priestly formation. Whether it is for Seminary or Youth, both symbolize the hope and future of the Local Church. On the eastern slope of Mt. Carmel stand the buildings of the now relocated (1959-2018, relocated to Bukit Padang January 2019) St. Francis’ Convent Secondary School, recently renamed “Msgr. Wachter Centre”. To continue Msgr. Wachter’s zealous work to build a solid Local Church, we plan to convert those buildings to cater for stay-in courses and formation with full boarding facilities.
What a powerful geographical image of Archdiocesan closeness, of believers working and … praying together, to build the Kingdom of God!
A new building? An iconic landmark for the Catholic Church in Kota Kinabalu? What kind of building, in what fashion? You will see an elaborate slide show presenting the concept and language behind the stunning architectural design of the CAC and the functional layout of the required spaces to meet the varied needs of the Archdiocesan admin for decades to come; you will also see a detailed mapping on what and who are housed where currently, all at leisure during lunch time. A guided tour will be conducted for those who wish to have a good look around and inside the rooms in the CAC buildings. Perhaps on this opening day, the archbishop may even open his office for honest tourists.
Chronology of the CAC Project
By the middle of 2014, when Archbishop John had firmed up his idea on building a new Centre, he briefed me, and sensing support, ordered me to “head the project”. The proposal was discussed at the Priests Meeting on 29 October 2014 and received the unanimous and hearty consent of the presbyterium. A Steering Committee to study the feasibility of the project and to oversee its implementation was set up and held its first meeting on 3 June 2015, with Mr. Denis Ho on the chair, the archbishop and I always in attendance. Subsequently the Building Committee led by Datuk Anthony Lee, and of course, the Fund-Raising Committee, headed by Datuk Willie Wong, were also set up and sent to work.
Youthful Architect Daniel Koh was approached and graciously accepted appointment, gratis, to form and lead the team of consultants. After some inspiring discussions, the architectural design was finalized, technical drawings progressively made, and the project was officially launched at the Sacred Heart Cathedral Parish Centre on 5 August 2017.
Groundbreaking and blessing of the site by Archbishop John Wong in Dec 13, 2017
On-going building of the Centre
Survey plans were completed and submitted on 31 July 2015;
Demolition, earthworks, site preparation, commenced on 29 Nov 2017 and completed on 9 January 2018;
Piling works began 5 May and completed 24 July 2018;
Main contract awarded on 19 May; construction of the main buildings commenced on 1 August 2018;
Practical Completion was certified on 15 January 2020;
Occupation Certificate was issued on 1 Sep 2020.
Transfer of offices from the CDC and utilization of CAC began from 2 June 2021.
Briefing for staff before transferring of offices
Total funds raised amounted to MYR 9,171,326.85; total expenditure: MYR 9,537,118.73. There is a shortfall of MYR 365,792.73, which we hope will still be rid of by some generous souls.
Today’s Blessing and Opening ceremony was postponed twice due to the pandemic. But here we are! And after this long historical introduction, let me now complete the second important task I have been assigned to do. Thanks-giving.
Appreciation and Thanks
In the name of God and on behalf of Archbishop John Wong, priests, religious and the faithful of the Archdiocese of KK, we wish to say “jutaan terima kasih” to the following:
His Grace Archbishop John Wong for deciding to build, and being there with us from start to finish;
The rectors and priests of the 21 parishes and their parishioners for generously and courageously committing themselves to pledge in exact figures their financial contribution, a considerable total sum which provided us with the confidence we could begin;
Denis Ho and members of the Steering Committee;
Datuk Anthony Lee assisted by Robert Tseu, and members of the Building Committee;
Datuk Willie Wong and members of the Fund-Raising Committee.
A list of all members of these Committees will be projected in the slideshow.
We also thank SOCCOM, Catholic Sabah, and the Press, for covering the important stages of the CAC development. We thank the CAC staff for being around and serving.
Consultants
Our heartfelt thanks go particularly to Architect Daniel Koh and his team of consultants always with an eye for excellence and beauty, qualities now publicly recognized when their “Sabah Catholic Centre” won the PAM (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia) Sabah Awards 2022 in the public and institutional buildings category a month ago.
Surveyor Robert Tseu of Jurukur TerraFirma.
C&S Engineer, Tan Kian Guan, of Perunding BSK Sdn Bhd.
M&E Engineer, Cyril Yapp, of CYES Konsult.
Quantity Surveyor Edward Vun, of CE Technical Services Sdn Bhd, who has generously continued to coordinate all rectification works of the CAC.
Main and Sub Contractors
Our gratitude and appreciation also go to our always-hands-on Main Contractor, Mr. Ng Yee Min, of Min Construction Sdn Bhd;
Demolition, earth works, and preparation of site contractor, Mr. John Voo of JV Champion Sdn. Bhd;
Piling contractor, Mr Richard Lee of Coleen Sdn. Bhd.;
M&E contractor, Mr. Yong Yee Sun of Panabalu Tenway Sdn Bhd;
Aluminium & Glass Contractor, Mr. Jason Sunny of JSK Glass & Façade Sdn Bhd;
Furniture Contractor, Mr. Ling Lung Seng of One Stop Deco Sdn Bhd;
Curtain Contractor, Mr. Kai Chong of Glory Deco.
We thank all our generous donors. We also thank all those who have prayed for, worked and donated their time and talents, and all who have sincerely wished the best for the project.
We thank the hard-working organizing committee of this event led by Anthony Lim. We thank everyone present here for gracing the occasion.
Last but not least, we thank His Excellency, Wojciech Załuski (loce yauwhisky) the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia, for blessing and opening this building and for assuring us that we belong to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Let us conclude with what we began, Ps 127.
“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain!” (Ps 127:1)
Catholic Archdiocesan Centre on the day of its Blessing and Opening, Nov 12 2022
