Updates & happenings
Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) 2026
I thank all of you for participating physically, virtually and spiritually as a synodal church for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention (MPC) 2026, the first national pastoral gathering of the Catholic Church in Malaysia, bringing together bishops, priests, deacons, religious and lay faithful from all nine dioceses across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. Let us continue to pray for our pastoral mission, as the Holy Spirit leads the Church of Malaysia.
Sacerdotal ordination of Deacons Ashley Stephen Chau & Patrick Hilary Sandnasamy
I am pleased to inform that Deacon Ashley Stephen Chau and Deacon Patrick Hilary Sandnasamy will be called to the Order of Presbyterate on 10th November 2026 at 6.00pm at the Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam. Let us continue to pray for them as they prepare for their priestly ordination.
Incardination of Rev. Fr. Oliver Tham
The Diocese of Penang joyfully announces the formal incardination of Rev. Fr. Oliver Tham Sai Kit into our diocesan presbyterate, effective 19th August 2026. Following his canonical transfer from the Franciscan Friars (OFM), Fr. Oliver has taken his formal Oath of Fidelity before Cardinal Sebastian Francis. We welcome Fr. Oliver Tham permanently into our diocesan family and invite everyone to keep him and his ongoing ministry at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in your prayers.
Month of October | Month of the Rosary
From the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, France, where the Immaculate Virgin appeared to St. Bernadette with the rosary, Pope Leo XIV invites all the faithful and all Christian communities to pray the Holy Rosary throughout this month of October with a particular intention that wars may cease and that peace may be established among peoples in conflict. The Holy Father appeals that the Holy Rosary prayer be accompanied with concrete acts of penance and mercy, committing ourselves always to fostering dialogue and reconciliation. Let us heed this call personally and collectively as a community.
Mission Month, Missionary October — pray, reflect, contribute
On World Mission Sunday, every Catholic community is invited to pray and offer spiritual and material sacrifices for the missionary efforts in areas of evangelization and the support of young Churches. Through the intercession of Saint Therese of Lisieux, let us continue our missionary journey with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit, especially in this month dedicated for mission. World Mission Sunday falls on the weekend of 18th October 2026, with the theme “One in Christ, united in mission”. Kindly be reminded that the first collection at every Mass will be for the Diocese of Rome, joining in the missionary spirit of the whole Church, especially in areas where proclamation of the Gospel is only just beginning and where the Church is still young. May Blessed Fulton Sheen, longtime National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, recently beatified on 24th September in St. Louis, Missouri, intercede for all of us.
Priests' appointments and transfers for the Diocese of Penang
I have appointed the following priests, with effect from 1st January 2027:
- Rev. Fr. Anthony Liew — Parish Priest of the Church of the Risen Christ, Air Itam
- Msgr. Stephen Liew — Parish Priest of the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, Balik Pulau
- Rev. Fr. George Vaithynathan — Parish Priest of Taiping Catholic Church
- Rev. Fr. Simon Anand — Parish Priest of the Minor Basilica of St. Anne, Bukit Mertajam
- Rev. Fr. Dominico Evan, CSE — Parish Priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kampar
- Rev. Fr. Rudolf de Aquaviva, CSE — Assistant Priest of the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Kampar
Together in prayer
October's prayer intention
For the mental health ministry — that it be established throughout the Church, helping to overcome stigma and discrimination.