This weekend, the Church in Malaysia is gathered in Sibu for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026.
This weekend, the Church in Malaysia is gathered in Sibu for the Malaysia Pastoral Convention 2026. From 9th to 13th September, about 800 participants from the nine dioceses of Sabah, Sarawak, and Semenanjung have come together to celebrate, listen, and walk as one Malaysian Church.
This is a historic moment. For the first time, clergy, religious, and laity from across Malaysia are gathered at a national pastoral convention to discern where the Holy Spirit may be leading the Church in our country.
Yet MPC2026 is not only for those physically present in Sibu. So, this weekend, let us support them in spirit. Let every parish, family, BEC, and ministry reach out in prayer. Let us pray for the bishops, priests, religious, lay leaders, youth representatives, families, facilitators, organisers, and all who are serving behind the scenes. We may not all be in Sibu, but we can still walk together in prayer.
There are three broad movements taking place at MPC2026 this weekend.
First, it is the coming together of the Catholic Church in Malaysia.
The gathering itself is already significant. Clergy, religious, and laity from Sabah, Sarawak, and Semenanjung are in one place, listening as one Church. This is a concrete expression of communion. In coming together, we recognise one another's diversity, cultural richness, pastoral realities, struggles, and lived faith experiences.
Second, it is a time of discernment through celebrating, listening, and walking together.
MPC2026 is not simply about reports or achievements. It is a space for listening to one another and to the Holy Spirit. Through prayer, conversation, reflection, and shared discernment, the Church seeks to recognise where the Spirit has been at work, and where the Spirit may be leading the Church in Malaysia today.
This Convention does not begin from zero. It stands on the journey already taken at parish, vicariate, diocesan, and regional levels. The fruits of the Clergy, Religious, Youth, Diocesan, and Regional Pastoral Assemblies form the backbone of this continued discernment.
Third, it is a sending forth in mission.
MPC2026 is not the end of the journey. What is discerned in Sibu must return to our dioceses, parishes, families, BECs, ministries, and communities.
So let us pray for MPC2026 as it concludes this weekend. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide every heart gathered in Sibu, and to help us walk forward together as one Malaysian Church.
Scripture, prayer and the closing quote
Scripture of the Day
Ecclesiasticus 27: 30-28: 7; Psalm 102: 1-4, 9-12; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35
Prayer
Lord God, guide all participants of the Malaysian Pastoral Convention 2026. Teach them to listen deeply, to discern faithfully and to trust where You are leading the Malaysian Church.
Published by: Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute (API) | Email: [email protected]