New Catholic Archbishop for Kota Kinabalu

The Vatican City in Rome has accepted the retirement of Archbishop John Lee, head of the Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, thus paving the way for his assistant John Wong Soo Kau to take over effective from December 1.

Wong, 44, a Sandakan-born priest since 1999, was consecrated Coadjutor Archbishop at the Sacred Heart Cathedral here on October 1, 2010. He has since been serving as an assistant to the archbishop in a position that allows him to automatically take over once the archbishop retires.

Dominic Lim, executive secretary of the Archdiocese, said that the Vatican has published a notice by the Vatican Information Service that states, “The Holy Father (Pope Benedict XVI) accepted the resignation from the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, presented by Archbishop John Lee Hiong Fun-Yit Yaw upon having reached the age limit.”

The notification further says that effective from December 1, he is to be succeeded by Coadjutor Archbishop John Wong Soo Kau.

Lim explained that under the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, every bishop reaching the age of 75 is required to submit an official letter of retirement to the Pope, head of the universal church.

“Such retirement becomes effective only upon the acceptance of the letter by the Pope. In the case of Archdiocese John Lee’s retirement, there is a clear cut succession plan, with a coadjutor having been appointed two years ago,” he added.

Meanwhile, the new Archbishop Wong has described the past two years as Coadjutor “a fruitful time and a good preparation”.

“At the same time, there is still much to learn. Since the time of retirement for my predecessor has arrived, ready or not, I have to accept,” he told the Borneo Post, when asked to comment on his new position.

During this two-year period of understudy, John Wong had accompanied Archbishop John Lee, now 78, to attend several meetings of the Bishop’s Conference of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, the decision making body of the church for the three countries.

More recently, Wong attended a Synod in Rome – a meeting of all bishops from around the world that deliberated on the “New Evangelization for the Transmission of Christian Faith” in October.

The Synod coincided with the celebration of the Year of Faith for the Catholic Church that was officially launched in Rome by Pope Benedict XVI on October 11, a ceremony attended by Wong.

“Taking note of the common theme of these two events (the Synod and Year of Faith) I would like to see that all evangelization programmes and activities in the archdiocese should stress on the content of our Faith,” said Archbishop Wong.

Asked if he wishes to announce any new plans and programmes for the archdiocese that he is now taking charge, he replied, “At the moment, I shall focus on continuing what has already been established.”

Retiring Archbishop John Lee yesterday issued a notice to the clergy, religious congregations and lay leaders in the archdiocese informing them of the latest development.

He told them that a suitable day to mark the handing over of the office of the bishop to Archbishop John Wong is now being looked into, adding that this might take place early next year.

Lee thanked them for their support over the years since he had been bishop in 1987 and prayed that they would extend the same to the new archbishop.

Now that his retirement has become effective, Lee shall be referred to as Archbishop Emeritus once he has handed over his duties to his successor.