Keningau to celebrate diocesan silver jubilee in May

KENINGAU – The Interior Diocese will celebrate its 25 years of existence as a diocese on 5 May 2018 at the Diocesan Solidarity Hall Keningau.

At the same time, Bishop Cornelius Piong will also mark 25 years of episcopal ministry.

The interior diocese – comprising Keningau, Tambunan, Toboh, Kuala Penyu Beaufort, Membakut, Tenom and Tulid Mission – was created on 2 Feb 1993 with Msgr Cornelius Piong as its first bishop.  He was ordained and installed as bishop on 6 May 1993.

At the time of its erection, the diocese had a Catholic population of 56,852 scattered in eight parishes and 155 outstations, served by seven priests, 137 catechists, and religious in eight convents.

Almost 25 years later,  the diocese has a Catholic population of 135,544 scattered in nine parishes, one mission and 402 outstations.  It is served by 18 clergy, one religious priest, 44 religious sisters, 24 religious brothers, six seminarians, 18 lay consecrated women, and 410 catechists (2016 statistics).

It has two retreat centres, two pilgrimage sites, a pastoral centre, a children’s home and three student hostels.