September 1
Double-Thanksgiving Celebration
Address of Apostolic Delegate Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio
I feel happy and honoured to be here in Kota Kinabalu, as representative of the Holy Father in this region, for the great occasion of the erection of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu and the elevation of Most Rev Datuk John Lee Hiong Fun as its first archbishop.
This is indeed a historical day for the Church of Malaysia and particularly for the Church of Kota Kinabalu as she becomes archdiocese and receives from the Lord the grace of a new archbishop.
I sincerely thank Archbishop John for inviting me to this joyful celebration.
This morning's beautiful and solemn Holy Eucharistic liturgy was very enriching for me as I witnessed your love, faith and dedication to God and to Holy Mother Church in union and solidarity with your pastor.
And it gives me a great pleasure to be here tonight at this dinner reception held for this auspicious occasion.
Here at this point, I wish to acknowledge and thank the presence of all the government officials and in particular...
My sincere deep appreciation also goes to the organising committee headed by Msgr Primus Jouil and to all who have assisted and contributed to make this event possible.
Taking this golden opportunity, I wish to express my sincere "Congratulations" to his Grace Archbishop John Lee and to the clergy, religious and laity of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.
God has blessed you in a special way, doing great things for you.
As one family of God, we proclaim the goodness of the Lord and rejoice in God for his marvellous deeds and blessings to the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. Let us rejoice and be glad!
Your Grace and dear Archbishop John, as your motto says, "Love one another," may you continue to be enlightened by this gospel message of love and witness it in your ministry as the first Archbishop of Kota Kinabalu.
I wish to assure you once again of my sincere prayers and fraternal support.
In this year dedicated to St Paul - the great Apostle and herald of Jesus Christ - I want to encourage the Church of Kota Kinabalu to work hand in hand with Archbishop John in proclaiming the good news and "the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ" (Eph 3:8), so that all may come to hear the love of God made manifest in Jesus.
Finally, I wish to let you know that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, prays for you, for the Church of Kota Kinabalu, for your respective communities and families, and conveys his Apostolic Blessing to each and every one of you.
May the good Lord, through the maternal intercession of our Mother Mary, continue to bless all of you and the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu.