Anglican community gets new House of Epiphany

KUCHING: The new House of Epiphany at St Thomas’ Cathedral here, which will be used as a theological training college for priests-in-training and to train youth leaders and women ministries, has been officially opened. 

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas who officiated at the opening on Monday (Dec 4), said this marks a momentous moment in the history and growth of the St Thomas Cathedral and the Anglican faith.

“This beautiful building stands majestically as a new landmark in the heart of Kuching city.It is another proud testament to the state Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government’s policy of inclusivity. 

“We have promised to help and what we have promised is now there standing magnificently for all to see. Thus, this inclusivity policy is not just rhetoric but followed by actual support programmes and seen and felt,” he said. 

“The Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) in the Sarawak Premier’s Department had given a grant of RM11.5 million for construction and refurbishment of the House of Epiphany. 

“On behalf of all, I would like to thank Premier Datuk Tan Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his thoughtfulness and big heart,” he said. 

He said now the Anglican community will have a new building to replace the dilapidated wood and brickwork constructed in 1953.

“May this new House assist in the further growth of the church and strengthen the faith of all concerned.

“With the Christmas season about three weeks away, this House of Epiphany certainly makes for a most wonderful Christmas gift to the community in the state,” he said. 

On a related note, Uggah said the GPS government has always been very supportive and mindful of the needs and welfare of the non-Islamic religions in the state.

“When Unifor was set up in 2017, it was given an initial allocation of RM15 million. A year later, this was increased to RM20 million and RM30 million in 2019. From 2020 to 2022, the grants were RM50 million each year,” he said. 

Due to the popular and long list of requests, he said the state government had graciously increased the allocation to RM100 million this year, and this included RM20 million to help mission schools. 

Later, Uggah also presented a cheque from the state government for RM60,000 to the Boys’ Brigade of the St Thomas Cathedral for the purchase of new bagpipes and drum sets. 

The cheque was received by St Thomas Cathedral Dean, Kho Thong Meng.

Among those present were Bishop of the Anglican Church Kuching and Brunei Darussalam Datuk Danald Jute.