Latest news with #Catholic
The Star
33 minutes ago
- General
- The Star
New Gothic-style St Peter's Church symbolises Sarawak's unity and harmony
Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah (centre) entering the new St Peter's Church in Kuching, accompanied by Archbishop Datuk Simon Poh (right) and rector Rev Vincent Chin. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star KUCHING: The newly opened Gothic-style St Peter's Church in Padungan stands as a testament to Sarawak's religious harmony and unity, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg. The Sarawak Premier highlighted the church's location in the city centre, close to other religious houses of worship, as a reflection of the region's spirit of mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. "We are blessed to live in a land where mutual respect and peaceful coexistence are not mere aspirations but a way of life. "This church adds further beauty to that legacy and will undoubtedly be a tourism attraction in the years to come," he said at the church's opening ceremony on Saturday (June 28). His speech was read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah. Abang Johari praised the collaborative spirit that brought the church to fruition, with the Catholic community working alongside friends and supporters from various faiths and backgrounds. He noted that the completion of the church demonstrated the power of a united community working towards a shared purpose and collective goodwill. "This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience and deep-rooted faith," he added. Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Simon Poh described St Peter's Church as more than just a building, but a landmark of harmony, friendship and goodwill. He noted the opening ceremony's diverse attendance, with people from different faiths contributing to peace and harmony. "So this church becomes a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak as a model for other parts of Malaysia and the world. "Kuching is a city of unity and Sarawak the land of unity. This touches the hearts of many people who come from all walks of life, giving their support for the church building project," he told reporters. The RM38mil church began construction in late 2019 and was completed in December last year. It was funded by public donations and received RM3mil from the state Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) over three years, including RM1mil handed over during the opening ceremony. St Peter's rector Rev Vincent Chin explained that the building was inspired by the classical neo-Gothic style of the old St Joseph's Cathedral. "In designing this sacred space, we were guided by the principle of anchoring traditions and embracing change. The roof trusses carry the same design from our old church but constructed with modern steel instead of traditional wood," he said. With a seating capacity for 1,000 people, the church's Gothic features include pointed spires, flying buttresses, arches, and stained glass windows. Chin noted that the stained glass was made entirely on site by Italian master craftsmen and incorporated local Dayak designs. He also mentioned that the tiles were produced by a local factory, while the main door and cross were crafted by a local wood specialist, and fittings by local artisans. "This is truly a Sarawak-built church and we should be proud of it," he said.
Borneo Post
38 minutes ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sarawak govt's RM1 mln contribution completes funding for St Peter's Church
Uggah (second left) presents the RM1 million cheque to Poh (centre) as additional aid for the construction of St Peter's Church, Padungan. Also seen are (from left) Unifor director Datuk Georgina Apphia Ngau, St Peter's Church Rector Rev Vincent Chin, and Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (June 28): The Sarawak government has contributed an additional RM1 million to the building fund of St Peter's Church, Padungan, marking the final financial boost needed to complete the RM38 million construction of the new church. The cheque was handed over during the church's official opening ceremony today, in a gesture of continued support for religious harmony and development in the state. 'On behalf of the Sarawak government, we will be handing over a RM1 million cheque to the church in further aid to the building fund,' said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg in a text of speech read by Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas. Abang Johari congratulated the Catholic community on the successful completion of the iconic house of worship. 'This is not just a place for prayer and reflection, it is a symbol of vision, resilience, and deep-rooted faith. 'Located in the very centre of Kuching, the presence of St. Peter's Church, among other religious houses in close proximity, is a powerful testament to the religious harmony and unity that Sarawak is so proud to uphold,' he said. The church's completion was made possible through a combination of donations, government funding, and community support, with much of the fundraising effort taking place amid the challenges of the pandemic. Poh speaks to reporters when met at the event. – Photo by Roystein Emmor Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Kuching Datuk Dr Simon Poh said the total cost of the building was RM38 million. 'Yes, so from the overall initial planning it was RM38 million and then you know the pandemic knocked out all the donors and pledgers so we had to start from zero again,' he said. Poh acknowledged the critical role of the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor), which had earlier contributed RM2 million through two separate cheques presented in the past two years. 'And then today is the final cheque,' he said. According to him, the RM1 million presented today brought the total contribution from the Sarawak government through Unifor to RM3 million. 'With this last RM1 million, today we received a total of RM3 million from the Sarawak government through Unifor. We have enough just to cover everything and pay everything so tomorrow we will consecrate the whole church together,' he said. While some minor funding is still needed for furnishings and interior work, Poh said the contract sum for construction is now fully covered. 'The smaller things like furnishing and interior work still need to be done, but the building, the contract sum, everything is cleared. With the last RM1 million coming in, we can cover everything,' he added. The Archbishop noted that support had come not just from Catholics but from many other communities and faiths in Sarawak. 'This church stands more than just the church for the Catholic because people from all walks of life are looking and saying wow this is in Kuching. It's amazing that we don't need to go to Europe to see a very nice church here,' he said. Poh said the church had become a new landmark symbolising unity and mutual respect among Sarawakians. 'This became a landmark for a sign of our desire for harmony, contributing to society and building a better Sarawak for peace, for harmony, as a model for other parts of Malaysia and for the world,' he added. Built entirely using local materials and expertise, the church also showcases Sarawak's growing capabilities in architecture and construction, said Poh. 'This is the beginning of something that's possible. So Anak Sarawak out there, those graduating in a few years, by 2030, they can come back. We believe Sarawak will provide employment and continue contributing to peace, harmony, and progress.' The consecration of the new St Peter's Church is scheduled to take place tomorrow. building fund douglas uggah embas sarawak government St Peter's Church
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Justin Tucker suspension: Everyone loses as ex-Ravens kicker penalized
And, yeah, some rookie you've never heard of is going to benefit from the fact that Baltimore had already cut ties with Tucker, creating an open job to compete for in training camp. But there are no winners from this sad saga. There are most definitely losers, though, and they are as follows: Justin Tucker Duh. On the one hand, he ought to be grateful the NFL's announcement was, per usual, devoid of details regarding his violation of the league's personal conduct policy. And unlike the penalty the league levied against Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson three years ago, in what can only be described as similar circumstances - at the time, 24 women had filed civil suits against him involving allegations of sexual misconduct during massage therapy sessions - Tucker has not been fined nor ordered to undergo treatment or an evaluation. Watson was and had to pay $5 million. But Tucker is radioactive. Last season was decidedly the worst of his 13-year career. Still the most accurate kicker in NFL history, he converted a career-low 73.3% of his field-goal attempts. It gave the Ravens a convenient excuse to cut a 35-year-old who was at the top of his positional compensation scale. And in light of the sexual misconduct allegations made by Baltimore-area massage therapists for incidents that reportedly occurred between 2012 and 2016, no team was likely to touch Tucker before the league completed its investigation into the matter - and there will undoubtedly be less consideration for him now given he won't be eligible to return until Nov. 11. But this runs deeper. Again, the NFL didn't offer details as to why it had suspended Tucker, though The Baltimore Banner reported them in spades. All the while, Tucker, a practicing Catholic, has denied them, characterizing the website's reporting as "unequivocally false" - yet also won't appeal his suspension. Take that for what it's worth. At this point, it seems unlikely Tucker plays in the NFL again. And what appears to be the final chapter of his once enviable career has probably delivered a fatal broadside to his Hall of Fame candidacy given the high bar his position already demanded. In a statement issued last month and attributed to executive vice president and GM Eric DeCosta, he said, "Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances," when explaining why the Ravens released Tucker with three years left on his four-year, $22 million extension. Anyone paying more than a scintilla of attention knew the move involved far more calculus than that, but that's how the Ravens chose to frame it. They missed the mark. This is the same organization that was spotlit by the Ray Rice situation in 2014, when the team's top running back was seen on video assaulting his fiancee in an elevator. He was eventually released and never played another NFL snap after being indefinitely suspended. Following the issuance of Watson's penalty in 2022, head coach John Harbaugh said of the Ravens' stance about player misconduct, "Basically, we're kind of zero tolerance. You have to know the truth, you have to try to understand the circumstances, but we've stayed away from that particular situation - when we draft players, when we sign them as free agents. "I'm glad that we have that policy." (For what it's worth, the Ravens just spent a second-round pick on linebacker Mike Green, who's been accused of sexual assault multiple times in the past.) More: Opinion: NFL's suspension of kicker Justin Tucker is essentially a guilty verdict Any profession has people who are less-than-savory characters. The NFL is no different, but its scandals make headlines that members of Fortune 500 companies (or far less notable ones) rarely draw. It's just baffling the Ravens - a well-run, first-rate organization by nearly every other measure, on or off the field - would further jeopardize their brand. They undoubtedly carefully parsed their announcement signaling Tucker's departure. DeCosta also thanked him for his "many contributions" to the franchise (meaning its win total). It's fine that the club took its time before cutting the cord while doing its own due diligence on the matter. But given the circumstances, "The Ravens have released Justin Tucker" always seemed to be about the extent of what he deserved. The victims In the event crystal clarity is needed here, victims are not "losers." But the NFL's verdict offers further credence that they've lost too much. According to The Banner's reporting, 16 massage therapists from eight local spas shared horror stories about Tucker's alleged misconduct. It's important to note he has not been charged with a crime, and the statute of limitations in Maryland to file a civil action against him is long past. Sadly, this is often how it goes whenever women are exploited. They won't see a penny in the aftermath of their trauma, which could be very difficult to escape for the balance of their lives. Nobody's lost more than them, and that can't be forgotten. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
an hour ago
- Politics
Biden to attend funeral for former Minnesota House Speaker Hortman, who was killed in shooting
MINNEAPOLIS -- Former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris will join the mourners Saturday at the funeral for former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was killed in a pair of attacks that authorities have called an assassination and that also left her husband dead and a state senator and his wife seriously wounded. Biden also paid his respects Friday as Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert, lay in state in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda in St. Paul, a few hours after the man charged with killing them while disguised as a police officer June 14 made a brief court appearance in a suicide prevention suit. The couple's private funeral, at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will be livestreamed on the Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel. Neither Biden nor Harris is expected to speak. Harris expressed her condolences earlier this week to Hortman's adult children, and spoke with Gov. Tim Walz, her running mate on the 2024 Democratic presidential ticket, who extended an invitation on behalf of the Hortman family, her office said. Hortman, a Democrat, was the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lay in state at the Capitol. It was the first time a couple has been accorded the honor, and the first for a dog. Gilbert was seriously wounded in the attack and had to be euthanized. The Hortmans' caskets and the dog's urn were arranged in the center of the rotunda, under the Capitol dome, with law enforcement officers keeping watch as thousands of people filed by. Many fought back tears as they left. Among the first to pay their respects were Walz, who has called Hortman his closest political ally, and his wife, Gwen. Biden, a Catholic, visited later in the afternoon, walking up to the velvet rope in front of the caskets, making the sign of the cross and spending a few moments by himself in silence. He then took a knee briefly, got up, made the sign of the cross again and walked off to greet people waiting in the wings of the rotunda. Lisa Greene, who lives in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park like Hortman did, but in a different House district, said she came to the Capitol because she had so much respect for the former speaker. 'She was just amazing. Amazing woman. And I was just so proud that she represented the city that I lived in,' Greene said in a voice choked with emotion. 'She was such a leader. She could bring people together. She was so accessible. I mean, she was friendly, you could talk to her." But, she went on to say admiringly, Hortman was also 'a boss." 'She just knew what she was doing and she could just make things happen,' she said. The man accused of killing the Hortmans at their home and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in nearby Champlin, made a short court appearance Friday for what the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joseph Thompson, has called 'a political assassination.' Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, surrendered near his home the night of June 15 after what authorities called the largest search in Minnesota history. An unshaven Boelter was brought in wearing just a green padded suicide prevention suit and orange slippers. Federal defender Manny Atwal asked Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko to continue the hearing until Thursday. He agreed. She said Boelter has been sleep deprived while on suicide watch in the Sherburne County Jail, and that it has been difficult to communicate with him as a result. 'Your honor, I haven't really slept in about 12 to 14 days," Boelter told the judge. And he denied being suicidal. "I've never been suicidal and I am not suicidal now.' Atwal told the court that Boelter had been in what's known as a 'Gumby suit,' without undergarments, ever since his transfer to the jail after his first court appearance on June 16. She said the lights are on in his area 24 hours a day, doors slam frequently, the inmate in the next cell spreads feces on the walls and the smell drifts to Boelter's cell. The attorney said transferring him to segregation instead, and giving him a normal jail uniform, would let him get some sleep, restore some dignity and let him communicate better. Boelter did not enter a plea. Prosecutors need to secure a grand jury indictment first. According to the federal complaint, police video shows Boelter outside the Hortmans' home and captures the sound of gunfire. And it says security video shows Boelter approaching the front doors of two other lawmakers' homes. His lawyers have declined to comment on the charges, which could carry the federal death penalty. Thompson said last week that no decision has been made. Minnesota abolished its death penalty in 1911. Boelter also faces separate murder and attempted murder charges in state court that could carry life without parole.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Love, faith, & vegetarian life: Usha Vance opens up on life as US second lady; wants to have Holi party
Second Lady Usha Vance has stepped into the national spotlight with unexpected candour, offering a warm and thoughtful glimpse into her family life, vegetarian upbringing, and Hindu faith. In a candid appearance on Meghan McCain's Citizen McCain podcast, she painted a picture of an interfaith household marked by openness, choice, and deep cultural respect. Reflecting on her interfaith marriage to Vice President JD Vance—who converted to Catholicism after the birth of their first child—Usha shared how they navigated the complexities of faith. 'We had to have a lot of real conversations about how do you do that, when I'm not Catholic, and I'm not intending to convert,' she said, explaining their decision to send their children to Catholic school while ensuring they have full access to Hindu traditions through family, books and travel With her husband JD Vance now a central figure in Donald Trump's Republican administration, Second Lady Usha Vance has begun carving out a public identity of her own. In an extended conversation with Meghan McCain, Usha opened up about family life, her Hindu faith, her upbringing as a vegetarian, and how the Vance children are being raised with elements of both parents' traditions. 'They know that I'm not Catholic. .. They have plenty of access to the Hindu tradition,' Usha explained. Love story that started in law school Usha first met JD Vance during a tour at Yale Law School, where they were in the same classes and became fast friends. 'He was just obviously really good friend material right off the bat,' she recalled. 'It really was... in our second semester when he started to talk more about where he was from... that I started to think of him in this different way.' Usha Vance Opens Up: Her First Extended Interview on Life as Second Lady with Meghan McCain Although author Amy Chua, famed as the "Tiger Mom," is often cited in their love story, Usha clarified: 'She wasn't instrumental in us dating... but she was really important later on,' especially in helping JD realise that pursuing happiness—including their relationship—was more important than chasing elite clerkships. Interfaith Marriage: Conversations, choices, and catholic school When JD converted to Catholicism after their first child was born, it prompted serious discussions. 'We had to have a lot of real conversations about how do you do that, when I'm not Catholic, and I'm not intending to convert.' The Vance children now attend Catholic school but are allowed to make their own decision on baptism. 'Our oldest child has done that... We make going to church a family experience. The kids know that I'm not Catholic. ' Usha said the children are also immersed in Hindu culture through family, books and travel. 'They know many practising Hindus... Their main point of access is through spending time with my parents and my grandmother.' Though the family doesn't mark many Hindu festivals formally at home, the children connect with their heritage through visits and stories. 'My grandmother is a particularly devout Hindu... She prays every day, goes to the temple, does her own pujas." Usha said she hopes to change that in future: 'We're actually hoping to have a Holi party, so we're looking forward to that next year.' Life as a vegetarian—and JD's culinary experiments Raised in a vegetarian household, Usha said she's always thought of meals holistically. 'It's really hard to think about vegetarian diets as substituting for meat... the better way is to have a number of smaller things on your plate.' When they began dating, JD took it upon himself to learn vegetarian cooking. 'The first place that he went was actually to my mum to learn how to make some of the dishes that I enjoyed.' Today, he's known in the family for his chocolate chip cookies and Southern-style biscuits. 'He makes amazing biscuits... He's made some really good cakes, so those are my favourites.' Parenting in the public eye Raising children under the glare of politics and media hasn't been easy. Usha said they try to maintain normal routines. 'They have to put away their laundry... If they spill something, they have to clean it up.' She said the goal is to give them as grounded a life as possible: 'Almost every decision that we make is directed at making it as much like what it would have been like if they'd been growing up in Cincinnati.' Reflecting on a rapid life change When JD was named vice president, everything changed in an instant. 'We had to suddenly move hotel rooms... There was really no opportunity for reflection.' Only after the inauguration did Usha have time to think about how she wanted to use her new platform. 'Now actually, this is maybe truly the fun part... where I can start bringing projects to the light.'
