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ARCHDIOCESE OF KUALA LUMPUR
Archbishop Julian Leow Beng Kim
The Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur was officially established on 18 December 1972, when it was elevated from a diocese to a metropolitan archdiocese. It was originally part of the Diocese of Malacca, which dates back to the Portuguese period in the 16th century. The Kuala Lumpur Archdiocese covers the central region of Peninsular Malaysia, including Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, and Pahang. Its cathedral is the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The first archbishop was Tan Sri Dominic Vendargon, followed by Archbishop Soter Fernandez, who later became Malaysia’s first cardinal. The current archbishop is Most Rev. Julian Leow Beng Kim, appointed in 2014. The archdiocese plays a vital role in promoting unity among Malaysia's diverse communities through faith, education, and social outreach.
PENANG DIOCESE
Cardinal Sebastian Francis
The Diocese of Penang was established on 25 February 1955 after being separated from the Diocese of Malacca. It became one of the two suffragan dioceses under the newly formed Ecclesiastical Province of Malacca-Singapore.The Diocese of Penang covers the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia, including Penang, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, and Kelantan. The first bishop was Rt. Rev. Francis Chan, the first locally born Malaysian bishop. He was succeeded by Bishop Gregory Yong, who later became the Archbishop of Singapore. Other bishops who have served include Bishop Antony Selvanayagam, and the current bishop is Rt. Rev. Sebastian Francis, who was appointed in 2012 and later created a Cardinal in 2022. The diocese has played a key role in education, healthcare, and interfaith dialogue in northern Malaysia. Its cathedral is the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Penang.
MALACCA JOHOR DIOCESE
Bishop Bernard Paul
The Diocese of Malacca-Johor is one of the oldest Catholic dioceses in Malaysia, with roots tracing back to 1558, when the Diocese of Malacca was first established by the Portuguese. It was among the earliest dioceses in Southeast Asia. Over time, its structure changed. In 1972, it was reorganized and became the Diocese of Malacca-Johor, covering the southern Malaysian states of Malacca, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Kuala Lumpur. Its cathedral is the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Johor Bahru. It has been led by several bishops, with Rt. Rev. Bernard Paul currently serving as bishop since 2015. The diocese plays a key role in evangelization, education, and pastoral outreach in southern Malaysia.
ARCHDIOCESE KUCHING
The Archdiocese of Kuching is the primary Roman Catholic jurisdiction in the state of Sarawak, Malaysia. It began as the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuching in 1952, carved out from the Vicariate of Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu). In 1976, it was elevated to an Archdiocese, becoming the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kuching, overseeing two suffragan dioceses: Miri and Sibu. The archdiocese has its cathedral at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in Kuching. A significant part of its mission includes outreach to indigenous communities like the Bidayuh and Iban, alongside urban parish work and education. Today, it remains a vibrant center of Catholic faith in East Malaysia, under the leadership of Archbishop Simon Poh.
SIBU DIOCESE
The Diocese of Sibu is a Roman Catholic diocese located in Sarawak, Malaysia. It was established on 2 December 1986, when it was separated from the Archdiocese of Kuching to better serve the growing Catholic population in the central region of Sarawak. Its cathedral is the Cathedral of Sacred Heart in Sibu. The diocese mainly ministers to the Iban, Chinese, and other local communities, focusing on pastoral care, education, and evangelization in rural and urban areas. The first bishop of the Diocese of Sibu was Rt. Rev. Dominic Su Haw Chiu, and the current bishop is Rt. Rev. Joseph Hii Teck Kwong. The diocese continues to play a vital role in nurturing faith and social development in the region.
MIRI DIOCESE
The Diocese of Miri is a Roman Catholic diocese in northern Sarawak, Malaysia. It was originally part of the Apostolic Vicariate of Kuching but was established as a separate Apostolic Vicariate on 19 November 1959, and later elevated to a diocese on 31 May 1976. Its first bishop was Rt. Rev. Anthony Denis Galvin, MHM, followed by Bishop Anthony Lee Kok Hin, and the current bishop is Rt. Rev. Richard Ng. Centered at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Miri, the diocese serves a diverse population including Iban, Kayan, Kenyah, Chinese, and other indigenous communities. The diocese is active in education, youth ministry, and rural evangelization, especially through mission schools and outreach to longhouse communities.
ARCHDIOCESE OF KOTA KINABALU
Archbishop John Wong Soo Kau
The Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu is the metropolitan archdiocese for the Roman Catholic Church in Sabah, Malaysia. Its origins trace back to 1855 when Mill Hill missionaries arrived in North Borneo. It was later established as the Apostolic Vicariate of Jesselton in 1952, then renamed the Vicariate of Kota Kinabalu in 1976. It was elevated to a diocese in 1976 and finally to an archdiocese on 23 May 2008. The first bishop was Bishop Simon Michael Fung Kui Heong, succeeded by Archbishop John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw, and currently led by Archbishop John Wong Soo Kau.The archdiocese covers much of Sabah’s west coast and interior, with Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kota Kinabalu as its seat. It actively serves multiethnic communities including Kadazan-Dusun, Chinese, and other indigenous groups, focusing on faith formation, youth ministries, and mission outreach.
KENINGAU DIOCESE
The Diocese of Keningau was officially established on 17 December 1992 by Pope John Paul II. It was formed from territory that was previously under the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, to better serve the growing Catholic population in Sabah’s interior regions. The first and current bishop is Rt. Rev. Datuk Cornelius Piong, who is also the first indigenous (Dusun) bishop in Malaysia. His leadership has played a significant role in deepening faith among the rural and indigenous communities. The diocese is based at St. Francis Xavier’s Cathedral in Keningau and covers a large area that includes the districts of Keningau, Tambunan, Nabawan, Sook, and Tenom. The diocese emphasizes pastoral care, youth formation, catechesis, and preserving local cultural identity within the Church.
SANDAKAN DIOCESE
The Diocese of Sandakan was established on 16 July 2007 by Pope Benedict XVI, making it the youngest Catholic diocese in Malaysia. It was carved out from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu to better serve the Catholic population in the eastern region of Sabah. The first and current bishop is Rt. Rev. Julius Dusin Gitom, who was ordained and installed on 15 October 2007. He is also among the native clergy from Sabah and has been instrumental in laying the foundations of the diocese.The diocese covers a vast area that includes Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Beluran, Kinabatangan, and Telupid. Its cathedral is St. Mary’s Cathedral in Sandakan. Since its formation, the diocese has focused on faith formation, missionary outreach, youth ministry, and uplifting rural communities, many of whom are from indigenous groups and migrant families.
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