First Berawan Catholic Priest Ordained in Miri Diocese

The Diocese of Miri ordained Joel Rut Markus as its first Catholic priest from the indigenous Berawan community. More than 3,000 people attended the ordination mass at St. Dominic and The Rosary Church in Taman Tunku, Miri, during Malaysia Day celebrations.

Born in Long Jegan, Baram, Markus completed eight and a half years of seminary training in Penang and Kuching. He decided to pursue the priesthood a decade ago after hearing a Dutch priest preach in the Iban language, which inspired him to serve local communities using their own language and culture.

Bishop Richard Ng encouraged young men in northern Sarawak to consider the priesthood to increase local vocations. Markus will begin his ministry at Holy Family Church in Lapok.