It was truly a grand occasion and lots of people from Kuching filled up flights into Miri just to attend. There were also many buses of parishioners from the large archdiocese of Miri which includes Bintulu and many villages in the remote interior of Miri. Seven archbishops, 11 bishops and 81 priests from all over the region, and deacons, heads of protestant churches, politicians and around 6000 Catholics joined in the ordination mass which was held at the indoor stadium. Since we were family members of Bishop Richard, we had special treatment all the way, from reserved parking spaces to reserved seats and VIP tables.
We stayed at SIL's house while some of the others stayed at hotels. First item on the packed itinerary was dinner for family and friends at SIL's house.
The wonderful atmosphere at the stadium, as thousands of people started arriving from all around Sarawak.
The grand entrance of all the Archbishops, bishops and priests, led by some Iban cultural dancers in the front.
This bishop ordination was a first for us and for many of the people there I'm sure!
Here, a letter from the Pope himself, sent from the Vatican, was being read out!
Two of Bishop's peers holding a bible over his head as part of the ordination ritual. He also had to lie down on the floor as an indication of total surrender.
After the ordination, he was given the mitre (hat) and sceptre (staff). A new bishop!! What a momentous occasion!
The new bishop, seated beneath his new coat of arms.
Offertory from various ethnic groups found in the archdiocese.
We were lucky to be part of the offertory procession.
Bishop addressing his people with a light-hearted speech.
A bit of fooling around after the event... before taking a family photo.
After the event, there was lunch at the hotel.
Followed by a huge dinner that night at a golf club.
The next morning, we attended Bishop Richard's first mass as a bishop at a new church, a little further from town. After that it was breakfast, then trips to the airport as we started leaving group by group.
It was indeed a wonderful occasion and we are so blessed to have been a part of it!
Congratulations Bishop! May the good Lord guide you in this mammoth task ahead!
Thanks SIL for all the hard work organizing the clan!!
Here are some links to the press releases for this happy occasion:
The Star newspaper
The Borneo Post
There's even a YouTube link!
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