By Diocese of Sibu
SIBU — The Funeral Mass of Dominic Su Haw Chiu was not merely a farewell to a shepherd of the Church. It became a profound meditation on prayer, humility, suffering, and the quiet victory of Easter.
In a moving homily, Joseph Hii Teck Kwong shared intimate reflections from the years he lived together with Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su during the twilight of his life. What emerged was not simply the story of a bishop, but the testimony of a disciple who allowed God to shape him until the very end.
Bishop Joseph described Bishop Emeritus Dominic as a man deeply marked by two defining characteristics: prayer and service.
For years, it was common to find him alone in his chapel for long hours — silently praying before the Lord. He prayed not for himself, but for others. He prayed for the Church, for those seeking healing, for priests, for families, and above all, to discern and accomplish the will of God.
He embodied the words of Christ: “I came to serve and not to be served.”
As bishop, priest, and shepherd, he poured himself out tirelessly for God’s people.
Yet Bishop Joseph revealed that perhaps the greatest lesson came not during Bishop Emeritus’ years of strength, but during his years of weakness.
As old age advanced and dementia slowly overtook him, the once-active shepherd was confronted with a painful transformation. The man who had spent his life serving others now had to allow others to serve him.
And this, Bishop Joseph reflected, required tremendous humility.
To move from “serving” to “being served.” To move from “praying” to “being prayed for.”
In one particularly touching moment, Bishop Joseph shared how Bishop Emeritus — a man known for spending countless hours in prayer — quietly admitted one day: “I do not know how to pray.”
Those words were not words of defeat, but of surrender.
The shepherd who once guided others spiritually was now walking the final path of discipleship: allowing himself to be carried entirely by God, by the prayers of the Church, and by the love of others.
Without complaint, without bitterness, Bishop Emeritus Dominic accepted the cross permitted by God. He endured quietly, persevered patiently, and surrendered humbly.
It was a hidden martyrdom of old age — lived not dramatically, but faithfully.
Bishop Joseph then recalled the comforting words proclaimed by Scripture: “None of us will be lost.”
And with deep conviction, he proclaimed that Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su has now experienced his Easter — his passage into the Resurrection of Christ.
The Cathedral gathered in prayerful silence as clergy, religious, parishioners, friends, and family members entrusted their beloved shepherd back to the Father whom he had served faithfully throughout his life.
Bishop Joseph also explained that many Bishops, Archbishops, and Cardinals had wished to be present to honour Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su. However, the funeral arrangements had to be carried out swiftly as many shepherds of the Church are preparing for the Ad Limina visit to meet Pope Leo XIV — the once-every-five-years gathering where bishops report on the life and mission of their dioceses to the Holy Father.
As the Church of Sibu bid farewell to its first bishop, what remained was not merely memories of achievements or titles, but the image of a humble shepherd kneeling in prayer.
A man who taught the Church not only how to serve, but also how to surrender.
A man who prayed, until finally, he allowed the whole Church to pray for him.
Indeed, Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su has returned home to the Lord he loved so deeply.
