By Ivy Chai
KUALA BELAIT, BRUNEI — His Eminence Cornelius Cardinal Sim from the Apostolic Vicariate in Brunei Darussalam was one of 13 prelates given a red hat by Pope Francis in November 2020, making him Brunei’s first cardinal.
Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh was then appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis to represent him at the Rite of Investiture of Cardinal in Brunei, as the Cardinal was unable to travel to Rome for the consistory during the Covid pandemic.
The border to Brunei was closed during the pandemic lockdown and Archbishop Simon was not able to enter Brunei during the designated period. By the time the lockdown was lifted, his Eminence who had sought treatment for his cancer in Taiwan had succumbed to his illness. He passed away in Taiwan on 29 May 2021.
Cornelius Cardinal Sim was laid to rest after a Requiem Mass at the Church of Our Lady of Assumption, Bandar Seri Begawan on 15 June 2021.
When HE Archbishop Wojciech Zaluski, the Apostolic Nuncio to Malaysia was informed by Archbishop Simon of his intended trip to Brunei in November 2023 to pray for Cardinal Cornelius, the nuncio wanted him to convey this message to the Catholic community in Brunei: “Have a nice and joyful meeting with the clergy and the Catholic communities there. Be so kind as to convey to them my heartfelt greetings and wishes. United in prayer, specially at the tomb of the late Cardinal Cornelius.”
Archbishop Simon went to Brunei “to pray for a dear departed brother priest and bishop” and to celebrate Mass in Brunei parishes, apparently the first bishop to have done this. He also met Fr Robert Leong, Fr Paul Shie and Fr Arin Sugit.
His visit was also “in a way, my final duty and farewell to a close brother who was ordained after me and we remained good friends.”
