OUTGOING ARCHBISHOP: KIND, CONSIDERATE CM

KOTA KINABALU: Outgoing Archbishop Datuk John Lee said the State Government has been very supportive of the Catholic Church and its activities in Sabah.

"I want to thank the Chief Minister and the State Government for their support given to the Catholic Church during my tenure.

He (Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman) has been considerate and fair to all religious organisations regardless of denomination," he said.

Lee, who was accompanied by his successor Archbishop John Wong and a Sacred Heart Cathedral delegation, paid a courtesy call on Musa at his official residence at Sri Gaya, Monday.

The delegation also paid special tribute to Musa for the kind approval of five acres in Kg Nagasiba where a church would be built.

A senior church leader, Thomas Fong said that the Nagasiba community had been seeking for a church in the village for the past 20 years, as a nearby church, Queen of Peace at Kg Kobusak, could no longer accommodate the needs of the growing community.

"We are here today to meet our Chief Minister to thank him personally and the State Government for the approval.

"The whole Kg Nagasiba community would like to thank the State Government for this wonderful gift," he said. The church would also carry out a fund raising project for the new church.

Meanwhile, Musa said the State Government would continue to support religious development in Sabah as spiritual growth was important in the overall development of a well-rounded society.

He said this was clearly demonstrated by the yearly allocations the State Government gives to non-Muslim religious organisations yearly.

"I also wish to thank Archbishop Lee for his sacrifices and hard work during his term of office," he said. (DE)