21+ hour, 21+ min ago (1600+ words) When I was studying in the UK " and later, tours through Europe " I would duck into old cathedrals whenever the spirit (or cold weather) nudged me. I'd stare so long at the saints in glass that they must have murmured, "Aiyo, this Malaysian boy ah" really loves his colours." Yet I lingered, always, because I knew one truth even then: light is never the same after it has passed through devotion. Which is why, during a recent trip to Kuching, I received a gift I wasn't expecting. There I was with friends, standing before St Peter's Church in Padungan, Kuching " a neo-Gothic masterpiece rising quietly in the rhythm of Sarawak's capital. And then came the blessing within the blessing. Archbishop Simon Peter Poh himself guided us not as a tour guide, but as a shepherd sharing a treasure. He didn't…...

1+ day, 1+ hour ago (597+ words) ISTANBUL (Nov 29):Pope Leo XIV visited Istanbul's famed Blue Mosque early on Saturday on the third day of his trip to Turkey. It was the first time the American pope, elected in May as leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, visited a Muslim place of worship since taking over from his late predecessor Francis. The Blue Mosque is one of Istanbul's main tourist attractions, with six minarets and a roof of cascading domes, its interior lined with vibrant blue Iznik tiles. With such a highly symbolic gesture, Leo follows in the footsteps of Pope Benedict XVI, who visited the site in 2006, and Francis who did the same in 2014. Like all visitors, the pope removed his shoes to enter the mosque, walking onto the burnt orange carpet in white socks " not a mandatory part of the papal uniform but in this…...

1+ day, 9+ hour ago (247+ words) KUCHING (Nov 29): St Paul's Church in Bunuk has launched a major raffle ticket fundraiser to support the construction of its new church building. The initiative " officially launched on Friday by the Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei " aims to rally the community behind the project. Representing the new church building committee, John Rizal Biki emphasised the raffle as a meaningful way for parishioners and the public to contribute to this cause. "We hope this initiative draws strong participation, as every contribution matters in helping us realize this long-term project for our community," he said in a statement. The grand draw is scheduled for Aug 30 next year, at 7.30pm, in Kampung Bratan/Asah multi-purpose hall at Mile 16 of Jalan Puncak Borneo. Attractive prizes are up for grabs, headlined by a brand-new Perodua Bezza 1.0G Automatic....

1+ day, 10+ hour ago (297+ words) KUCHING (Nov 29): Yayasan Bintulu Port has contributed RM200,000 to the Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) to support ongoing efforts towards enhancing mosque development and also religious activities in the state. The handing-over took place at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Friday, and was witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri [...] The post Yayasan Bintulu Port donates RM200,000 to support mosque development in Sarawak appeared first on Borneo Post Online. KUCHING (Nov 29): Yayasan Bintulu Port has contributed RM200,000 to the Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) to support ongoing efforts towards enhancing mosque development and also religious activities in the state. The handing-over took place at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) Complex on Friday, and was witnessed by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also LAKMNS chairman. The mock cheque was presented by Bintulu…...

2+ day, 7+ hour ago (597+ words) ISTANBUL (Nov 28): Pope Leo XIV joins the leader of the world's Orthodox Christians Friday to celebrate 1,700 years since one of the early Church's most important gatherings, on the second day of his visit to Turkey. The American pope began his four-day visit on Thursday, flying into Ankara where he held talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, urging him to embrace Turkey's role as mediator in a world gripped by conflict. "Mr President, may Turkey be a source of stability and rapprochement between peoples, in service of a just and lasting peace," the pontiff told the Turkish leader as he kicked off the first overseas trip of his papacy. Tight security meant the papal convoy swept through nearly empty streets in Ankara on a visit that has drawn little attention in this Muslim-majority nation of 86 million, whose Christian community numbers only…...

3+ day, 9+ hour ago (362+ words) The new St James" Church building stands alongside the original structure, consecrated on Dec 7, 1865. KUCHING (Nov 27): St James" Church in Quop, one of the oldest churches in the Anglican Diocese of Kuching and Brunei Darussalam, will mark its 160th anniversary with a thanksgiving service on Dec 7. The service, themed "Give Thanks to the Lord of Lords; for His Steadfast Love Endures Forever'Psalm 136:3", will begin at 3pm and feature Bishop of Kuching the Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute as guest preacher. According to a statement, the milestone celebrates the church"s long-standing history as a spiritual home for generations of the Bidayuh Quop community. "The anniversary service will include a specially curated order of worship reflecting the church"s journey through economic hardship, social change, and global challenges," said the church. "A 160-voice anniversary choir, comprising choristers from St James" Church, St Thomas…...

3+ day, 9+ hour ago (362+ words) The new St James" Church building stands alongside the original structure, consecrated on Dec 7, 1865. KUCHING (Nov 27): St James" Church in Quop, one of the oldest churches in the Anglican Diocese of Kuching and Brunei Darussalam, will mark its 160th anniversary with a thanksgiving service on Dec 7. The service, themed "Give Thanks to the Lord of Lords; for His Steadfast Love Endures Forever'Psalm 136:3", will begin at 3pm and feature Bishop of Kuching the Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute as guest preacher. According to a statement, the milestone celebrates the church"s long-standing history as a spiritual home for generations of the Bidayuh Quop community. "The anniversary service will include a specially curated order of worship reflecting the church"s journey through economic hardship, social change, and global challenges," said the church. "A 160-voice anniversary choir, comprising choristers from St James" Church, St Thomas…...

1+ week, 9+ hour ago (134+ words) Dennis (fifth right) shakes hands with Simon while other church committee members give the thumbs-up during the handing over ceremony. MIRI (Nov 23): The Long Julan Pelutan Ulu Baram Church committee on Thursday received a RM250,000 allocation from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor). The funds will be used to develop the church's facilities at the longhouse. In a simple handing over ceremony, Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau presented the cheque to the church's representative Simon Lenjau at his service centre. "This is the second allocation from Unifor presented to the Long Julan Pelutan Ulu Baram Church committee. "The first allocation was RM70,000. As the committee has a good record of spending, I am more than happy to support their second request and approval by Unifor," said Dennis....

1+ week, 1+ day ago (218+ words) SIBU (Nov 22): The March for Life drew some 150 participants on Friday in a bid to raise awareness of promoting and protecting the sanctity of human life. The group was led by 24th Human Life International Asia Pacific (HLI ASPAC) Congress on Faith, Life, and Family organising chairperson Eta Ting, who is also president of Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Kasih Sayang Sibu (Caritas Sibu). "This is our inaugural March for Life event, where we unite not only with our Christian community but also invite other communities to join us in highlighting the preciousness of life," Ting told reporters prior to the march. "That it is a gift bestowed upon us to assist each other, to honour, and to safeguard those who lack a voice, whom we refer to as the voiceless, such as the unborn child." She said everyone must learn to love…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (390+ words) KAPIT (Nov 17): A total of RM1.1 million has been allocated by the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) to eight mission schools in this district. The recipients are SK Methodist, SK Sungai Amang, SK Nanga Diau, SK Nanga Entaroh, SK Lubok Mewang, SK Nanga Menuan, SK Sungai Meluan and SK Nanga Mujong. The cheques were presented by Works Minister and Kapit MP Dato Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi during a simple ceremony held at the Bletih State Complex here last Saturday. Also present were Deputy Minister in Sarawak Premier's Department (Native Laws and Customs) Datuk Jefferson Jamit Unyat and Pelagus assemblyman Wilson Nyabong Ijang. The Unifor funds are meant to support repairs and upgrading works on these mission schools to improve the facilities and learning environments there. The presentation of the cheques here was held after the handing-over of the "2025 Mission School Assistance…...