Malaysia

S’wak govt hospital becomes first in nation to have Catholic chapel

State premier’s office, church, hospital administration collaborate on symbol of interfaith harmony

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 31 Mar 2022 7:00AM

S’wak govt hospital becomes first in nation to have Catholic chapel — Archbishop Simon Poh, in his speech during the official opening ceremony, says the Sacred Heart Chapel at the Sarawak Heart Centre is a reflection of what Sarawak is all about when it comes to forging unity and harmony among its many ethnic groups, cultures and religions. – Pic courtesy of Kuching Archdiocese, March 31, 2022

by Joseph Masilamany

KUCHING – A government hospital in Kota Samarahan near here made history, as it became the first public health facility in the country to have an attached chapel.

The Sacred Heart Chapel was officially opened recently at the Sarawak Heart Centre – the result of collaboration among the state premier’s office, the Catholic Church and the hospital’s administration.

The only other hospital in the country with a chapel on its premises is Assunta Hospital in Petaling Jaya, Selangor – a private hospital founded by the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in 1954.

But beyond the needs of Catholic and Christian patients and staff of the hospital, the chapel will also be a place for people of other faiths, said Archbishop Rev Simon Poh.

“This is a legendary character of Sarawak, which has always been recognised as a placid, peaceful and most harmonious state in the country, especially in interfaith bonding among the people,” Poh, the head of the Kuching Archdiocese, said at the chapel’s official opening.

The plan to build the chapel started with hospital director Dr Mohd Asri Riffin, who proposed to build a space at the hospital to meet the spiritual needs of Catholic staff and patients.

Sarawak Heart Centre director Dr Mohd Asri Riffin says the addition of the chapel lends a ‘harmonious dimension’ to the healing process of the hospital’s patients. – Pic courtesy of Kuching Archdiocese, March 31, 2022

Construction of the RM400,000 chapel began in 2019, with the cost split between the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) under Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg’s office and the Kuching Archdiocese.

Dr Asri said the addition of the chapel lends a “harmonious dimension” to the healing process of the hospital’s patients.

“Every religion teaches people to love and respect one another. In Sarawak, there are people belonging to different religions and cultures. This requires mutual respect and tolerance. We are a great model to the world,” he said.

“When people of all faiths come together, it helps to strengthen our ties and bring about a close bonding.”

Unifor director Richard Lon said they recognised the need for people of all faiths to have a space to pray and seek strength from God in times of need, adding that plans are in place to set up similar facilities in hospitals in other parts of Sarawak. – The Vibes, March 31, 2022