The Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 (MPC2026) was officially opened in Sibu on Thursday, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Malaysia as representatives from across the country gathered to reflect on faith, unity and the future mission of the Church.
Held at Kingwood Hotel, Sibu, the five-day convention runs from 9 to 13 September 2026 and brings together around 850 Catholic delegates from nine dioceses and archdioceses across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
The convention carries the theme “Celebrate, Listen, Walk Together”, reflecting its emphasis on unity, dialogue, prayer and collective discernment.
The official convention opening followed an important spiritual celebration in Sibu on Wednesday evening.
At Sibu Gateway, nine crosses representing the nine dioceses and archdioceses of the Catholic Church in Malaysia were brought together and united into a single Cross during the Liturgy of the Cross.
The crosses had travelled through their respective dioceses and archdioceses during the preparations for MPC2026. Representatives presented the crosses together with prayers and intentions from their local Catholic communities.
The ceremony was followed by the Opening Mass, celebrated by Catholic Church leaders including Cardinal Sebastian Francis, Archbishop Simon Poh and Bishop of Sibu Joseph Hii Teck Kwong.
More than 1,000 participants subsequently joined a procession from Sibu Gateway to Kingwood Hotel, with the newly united Cross becoming the spiritual focal point of the convention.
According to the Archdiocese of Kuching’s pastoral history, the idea of a pan-Malaysian convention gained momentum following the fourth Peninsular Malaysia Pastoral Convention in 2016, when representatives from East Malaysia participated.
The Malaysian Catholic Clergy Assembly held in 2018 subsequently brought together clergy from all nine Archdioceses and Dioceses in Malaysia.
Aaron Ago Dagang Officiates Opening
The opening ceremony was officiated by Minister of National Unity Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang, who described MPC2026 as a historic national-level gathering for the Catholic community.
According to the Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS), Aaron said the convention represented the first Catholic gathering of this scale at national level since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
He said the convention provided an opportunity for the Catholic community to strengthen its faith and fellowship while reflecting on how religious communities can continue contributing towards a more harmonious, inclusive and united Malaysia.
Aaron also highlighted the longstanding contribution of the Christian community to Malaysia, particularly through education, healthcare, social welfare, charitable activities and service to communities in need.
He stressed that religious communities have an important role in strengthening national unity, saying that faith communities can help build bridges between Malaysians from different backgrounds.
Nine Dioceses Gather in Sibu
MPC2026 brings together Catholic representatives from nine dioceses and archdioceses, making the gathering particularly significant in the Church’s efforts to strengthen cooperation between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
Among those present at the opening were Cardinal Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Bishop of Penang; Archbishop of Kuching Dato’ Dr Simon Poh Hoon Seng, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia; Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and MPC2026 president Dato’ Dr Julian Leow Beng Kim; and representatives of the Diocese of Sibu.
The convention is hosted by the Diocese of Sibu, with activities taking place mainly at Kingwood Hotel and the Sacred Heart Cathedral.
Four Areas at the Heart of MPC2026
The convention’s discussions centre on four major pastoral areas; Church, Family, Society and Ecology.
Archbishop Simon Poh said these four areas would form the basis of discussions, with participants encouraged to listen, pray and discern together about the challenges facing the Church and society.
The focus on ecology is particularly timely, with environmental stewardship forming an important part of the Church’s pastoral reflection. Archbishop Simon linked the ecological focus to the teachings of the late Pope Francis, particularly Laudato Si’ and its call for greater care for creation.
The four areas are also rooted in major Church documents associated with Pope Francis – Amoris Laetitia and Christus Vivit for family, Evangelii Gaudium for the Church, Fratelli Tutti for society, and Laudato Si’ for ecology.
A Historic Gathering for the Malaysian Catholic Church
For Sibu and Sarawak, hosting Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026 represents an important moment in the state’s role within the Malaysian Catholic community.
For the Church, MPC2026 is more than a five-day gathering. It represents the culmination of years of preparation and consultation aimed at bringing Catholics from the country’s different regions together as one community.
As delegates continue their discussions in Sibu, the convention provides an opportunity to look beyond regional differences and consider how the Malaysian Catholic Church can strengthen its mission in serving families, communities and wider society and build one Malaysian Catholic Church while recognising the different cultures, experiences and pastoral realities found across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak.
Sources:
- UKAS – MPC2026 Himpun 850 Perwakilan Katolik Di Sibu
- Sarawak Tribune – Others Build Walls But Religious Communities Build Bridges
- The Borneo Post – Nine Crosses United as One on Sibu to Open MPC2026
- Catholic Sabah – Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026
