By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — The annual Red Mass celebrated at the start of the legal year for the Catholic legal fraternity in Sarawak was held at the Blessed Sacrament Church on 31 January 2026.
Judges, legal practitioners, law students and officials congregated at the Mass presided by Kuching Archbishop Dato Simon Poh and concelebrated by parish priest Fr Leonard Yap, to invoke the Holy Spirit’s guidance on judges, lawyers and public officers.
In his homily, Archbishop Simon reflected on this year’s theme: Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness. This he said, “invites guidance of the Holy Spirit for all who seek justice. We are called to uphold the common good, protect the vulnerable and maintain integrity in a polarised society.”
Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness – Matt 23:23
Archbishop Simon said the theme taken from the Word of God “represents the spiritual values over mere ritualistic appearance.”
Justice honouring the dignity and needs of others; acting in fairness in all dealings and ensuring righteousness, must be upheld.
Mercy reflects compassion, kindness and forgiveness. We are to forgive those who hurt us.
Faithfulness represents steadfastness, loyalty, trustworthiness often linked to maintaining one’s commitment to God.
The three virtues complement the two greatest Commandments God has given to us as Christians … to love God and to love our neighbour.
In essence, Archbishop Simon’s message was clear: Justice is seen as “fair treatment of others”. Mercy is expressed in “compassionate forgiveness”. Faithfulness is “reliable loyalty to God and community”.
God values every human person
The gifts of the Holy Spirit are seven-fold. Praying before the altar is a responsibility before God. Archbishop Simon urged the legal fraternity to make a decision to bring the Church forward.
He said that God values every human person hence, the protection of life … protect the dignity of the vulnerable, the marginalised and those living on the periphery. Follow in the footsteps of St Thomas More (patron of lawyers) who advocated moral courage and integrity, thus “to do the right thing even when no one is watching”.
Offertory Gifts
The presentation of gifts included a copy of the Malaysia Federal Constitution, Sarawak State Constitution and a Lawyer’s robe.
The Mass concluded with representatives of the Sarawak Catholic legal fraternity presenting tokens of Appreciation to the celebrants and volunteers of the Mass.
Archbishop Dato Simon Poh and Fr Leonard Yap received their tokens from Datuk Seri JC Fong (State legal counsel), while senior counsel Datin Lucy Salang presented to the sacristan, choir and altar servers.
Light refreshments at the Dato Lawrence Chua Hall capped the celebration of the lawyers’ Red Mass 2026.
