By DayakDaily Team
SIBU, Sept 10: Some 850 Catholic community representatives from nine dioceses across Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak have gathered in Sibu for the Malaysia Pastoral Conference 2026 (MPC2026), held from Sept 9 to 13.
National Unity Minister Dato Sri Aaron Ago Dagang said the conference marked a historic milestone as the first national-level Catholic gathering of such scale since the formation of Malaysia in 1963.
He said MPC2026, themed “Celebrate, Listen, Walk Together,” provided an important platform for the Catholic community to strengthen its faith and fellowship, while reflecting on the role of religious communities in building a more harmonious, inclusive and united Malaysia.
“This conference is not only an opportunity for the Catholic community to strengthen their faith and bonds of fellowship, but also an important platform to reflect on how religious communities can continue contributing towards a more harmonious, inclusive and united Malaysia,” he said as reported by Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas).
He said this when officiating the opening of MPC2026 at the Kingwood Hotel here yesterday (Sept 9).
Aaron said the conference also continued the long-standing legacy of service and contributions by the Christian community, dating back to the arrival of Christian missionaries in Borneo in 1881.
Citing the 2020 Population and Housing Census, he said Christians accounted for about 2.9 million people, or 9.1 per cent of Malaysia’s population, with Sarawak recording the highest number of Christians.
He added that the Catholic community had made significant contributions to national development through education, healthcare, social welfare, charitable activities and services for communities in need.
“These contributions demonstrate how religious values can be translated into a sense of responsibility and concern for society, regardless of background,” he said.
Also present were Sarawak Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) director Dato Georgina Apphia Ngau, Bishop of Penang Cardinal Dato’ Seri Sebastian Francis, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia president and Archbishop of Kuching Reverend Dato’ Dr Simon Poh, and Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur and president of MPC2026 Reverend Julian Leow Beng Kim. — DayakDaily
