Obituary Notice: Rev. Fr. Dato Lawrence Chua

October 25, 2021

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Reverend Father Dato Lawrence Chua, on 24th October 2021 at 7.13pm in Normah Sarawak Medical Centre, Kuching. He was 86.

Fr. Chua was admitted to Mukah hospital in early September as a Covid-19 patient. He was subsequently transferred to Bintulu General Hospital and eventually to the Normah Sarawak Medical Centre, Kuching.

Born on 5th September 1935 and grew up in Mukah, he completed his Secondary School education at St. Joseph’s School, Kuching after which he entered the Preparatory Seminary in 1952. From there, he studied for the priesthood in St. Francis Xavier’s Minor Seminary, Singapore (1956-1958) and completed his seminary formation in General College Major Seminary, Penang, in 1964. He was ordained priest on 13th December 1964. After his ordination, Fr. Chua served in many parishes before he left Kuching in 1975 to pursue a Masters’ degree in Theology (STL) at Jesuit Gregorian University, Rome.

Upon his return from Rome in 1977, he assumed responsibilities as Vicar General and Rector at Holy Trinity Parish and St Joseph’s Cathedral, Kuching. He taught as Professor of Theology in College General Penang (1979-1981), followed by missionary service in St. John’s Church, Tuaran in the Diocese of Kota Kinabalu (1985-1986) and then as Professor of Theology in St. Francis Xavier’s Major Seminary, Singapore (1986-1988).

Fr. Chua left his mark in the last two parishes in Kuching that he had faithfully served – Holy Trinity Parish, Kenyalang Park (1988-2002) and Blessed Sacrament Parish, BDC (2003-2017). He retired from active ministry in 2017 and continued to reside at the Blessed Sacrament Parish, Kuching.

For his contribution to the Church and Sarawak, among the awards received from the State Government, he was awarded the “Panglima Setia Bintang Sarawak” (PSBS) in 2007, which carries the Honorary title “Dato”. Fr. Dato Chua will be greatly missed and remembered by many.

The Archbishop of Kuching and the clergy of the Archdiocese would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family members of the late Fr. Dato Lawrence Chua in this time of loss and are united with them in fraternal prayer and support.

We invite the clergy, religious and faithful to remember Rev. Fr. Lawrence Chua in your prayers. Schedule for Wake Prayers and Masses, in compliance to SDMC and UNIFOR SOP, will be announced after all arrangements have been finalised.

Eternal rest grant unto Fr Chua, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

+ Archbishop Simon Poh
The Archdiocese of Kuching
Mission Sunday – 24th October 2021

You can download the original Obituary Notice in PDF here.