New Church in Malaysia Hailed as a Testament to Religious Unity

Newly constructed and consecrated just about a month ago, St. Peter’s Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Kuching, Sarawak, East Malaysia, is now being hailed as a powerful symbol of religious harmony and unity.

Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh led the solemn consecration and dedication of the Gothic-style church on June 29, in the presence of more than 4,000 people.

“St. Peter’s Church complements Kuching’s beautiful symphony of religious harmony, friendship, and goodwill,” the prelate said during his homily. “It now stands proudly alongside the state mosque, Sikh and Hindu temples, Indian Muslims’ surau, and Anglican and Chinese temples."

He continued, “We like to look at this new church not so much as an achievement, but as each of us, despite our limitations, allowing the Lord to work through us.”

Archbishop Poh expressed deep gratitude to all who participated in the parish’s crowdfunding efforts, which helped raise the 38 million ringgit (US$9 million) needed for the church’s construction.

He also thanked the Sarawak government for its contribution of 3 million ringgit (US$710,227) through the Unit for Other Religions (UNIFOR), a state-run agency that supports construction projects of non-Muslim religious communities in Sarawak.

“In a time when religious tensions elsewhere threaten to divide, UNIFOR reminds us that unity in diversity is not only possible, it is essential,” Archbishop Poh said.

During the opening ceremony, Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg praised St. Peter’s Church as a powerful testament to the people’s resilience, vision, and deep-rooted faith.

“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.”

St. Peter’s Church traces its history back to 1937, when Monsignor Aloysius Hopfgartner purchased a seven-acre plot of land in Padungan. The construction of the new church began in 2019 to accommodate the growing number of parishioners in the Christian-majority state of Sarawak.

First opened to the public on Christmas Eve 2024, the church was also designated as a pilgrim church for the Jubilee Year 2025 in the Archdiocese. It can accommodate up to 1,000 people.