ASIA/MALAYSIA - Appointment of the Auxiliary Bishop of Kuching

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On July 9, 2015 the Holy Father appointed Rev. Simon Poh Hoon Seng, Chancellor and parish priest of the Cathedral of St. Joseph as Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kuching (Malaysia), assigning him the titular see of Sfasferia.
Rev. Simon Poh Hoon Seng, was born on April 15, 1963 in Sri Aman, in the Archdiocese of Kuching. After attending local schools, he entered the Major Seminary in Kuching to complete his studies in philosophy and theology. He was ordained a priest on July 31, 1988 and incardinated in the Archdiocese of Kuching. Since ordination he has served the following academic and pastoral roles: 1988-1991: Assistant priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Sri Aman; 1991-1994: Assistant priest of St. Stephen, Bau; 1994-1996: Studies for a Licentiate in Missiology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University, residing at the Pontifical College of St. Paul; 1996-2002: Pastor of St. Anne, Kota, Padawan; 2002-2008: Director of the Commission for Vocations; 2004-2008: Spiritual Director of the Commission for Youth. He currently holds several offices: since 2004: Chancellor of the Archdiocese and Member of the College of Consultors, professor of Missiology and Spiritual Director of the St. Peter's College Major Seminary, Kuching; since 2008: Coordinator of the Archdiocesan Mission and Evangelization Commission; since 2010: Coordinator of the Human Development Commission; since 2011: Pastor of the Cathedral of Kuching. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 09/07/2015)