By Ivy Chai
KUCHING – On 8 October 2024, bishops, priests, religious, seminarians, and the Christian community gathered for a thanksgiving Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral Kuching, to give thanks to the Lord for a “remarkable Shepherd”.
Archbishop Emeritus Dato Sri Peter Chung was ordained a priest by Bishop John Vos 70 years ago, on 26 September 1954. He had arrived in Kuching on 21 August as a young deacon, reluctant to leave Macao to go to a place he had never heard of.
Nevertheless, he was obedient to his appointment. Knowing only Mandarin and Latin and “without any knowledge of Sarawak”, he left his homeland in China, never to return until his retirement. Today, he is grateful to the Lord for sending him to serve the people in Sarawak.
The first priest to be ordained on Sarawak soil, the young Fr Peter Chung was sent to serve in various parts of Sarawak as well as in Brunei. He was posted to Sabah in 1970 where he was appointed Coadjutor Bishop, and Apostolic Vicar of Kota Kinabalu. Despite facing religious persecution, he stayed for five years.
He was appointed to be the Apostolic Vicar of Kuching in 1975 and became the first Archbishop of Kuching on the establishment of the Ecclesiastical Province of East Malaysia in 1976. He served the Archdiocese of Kuching until he retired on 22 June 2003.
Archbishop Emeritus Peter is the only priest and bishop who had served in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei.
70th Priestly Ordination Anniversary Mass
To express their appreciation and to thank him for what he had done for Sabah, the three bishops namely, Archbishop John Wong (Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu), Bishop Julius Dusin Gitom (Sandakan Diocese) and Bishop Cornelius Piong (Keningau Diocese) were present at the 70th Priestly Ordination Anniversary thanksgiving Mass of Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung. Also present were Bishop Bernard Paul (Melaka-Johor Diocese) and Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su (Sibu Diocese).
Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh presided over the thanksgiving Mass, with Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung, Archbishop Emeritus John Ha, all the visiting bishops and 29 priests from Kuching Archdiocese concelebrating.
Heartfelt thanks to a ‘remarkable Shepherd’
Addressing the congregation, Archbishop Simon gave a heartfelt and glowing tribute to Archbishop Peter, tracing his journey as a priest and bishop. His achievements and joy were laced with “challenges and even persecution in the Catholic Church in Sabah.” He shared what Archbishop Peter has surmised as “Sabah was ‘a test of faith’ and calling Sarawak ‘home’.”
Many clergy were ordained by Archbishop Emeritus Peter. He started St Peter’s Seminary in 1980, considered by Archbishop Simon as his “greatest gift”. He also formed the Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak (SSFS).
“Tonight, Archbishop Peter, with grateful hearts, we honour you as the Father of the Church in East Malaysia. We pray for you and give thanks to the Lord who has sent you to be our Shepherd; who has blessed us with over 70 years of your dedicated ministry that started right here on this very ground in the old St Joseph’s Church.”
Archbishop Simon ended his citation with the prayer taken from Philippians: “We thank our Lord, each time we think of you. And when we pray for you, we pray with joy.” Amen.
Great privilege – 70 Years is a ‘long time’
Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung recalled his response to his rector on hearing of his new appointment. “Where? Borneo? Sarawak? Never heard of it. Can send another one?” He had no intention of coming to Sarawak.
Now, he acknowledged, “70 years is a long time, but somehow the Lord has blessed me with plenty of energy…a great miracle.”
While promising to continue to serve the local Church here, Archbishop Emeritus Peter thanked “the Lord this evening in this Holy Mass for first of all…to call me to be a priest, to call me to be a bishop,” and for giving him so many years to serve his Church in Sarawak.
He considered it a great privilege for a “foreign person” who did not know much of the local dialect to assimilate so well, through God’s blessings “to offer my services to the people in Sarawak, Sabah and Brunei.”
With a grateful heart of thanks to God, Archbishop Emeritus Peter also “appreciate everything done for me. I know I am welcome. I know my work is appreciated. This is the greatest satisfaction God has given me.”
Archbishop Simon presented Archbishop Emeritus Peter with a Spiritual Bouquet of 100 Masses from the Kuching Presbyterium. The priests pledge to celebrate 100 Masses for his intentions.
The Ordination Anniversary thanksgiving Mass ended with Archbishop Emeritus Peter Chung giving the final blessing to the congregation.
