02/06/2026
"Walking Together with the Universal Church" — Bishop Joseph Hii Reflects on the Ad Limina Visit to Rome
Returning from the Ad Limina Apostolorum pilgrimage to Rome, Bishop Joseph Hii Teck Kwong shared a heartfelt reflection on the significance of this sacred journey undertaken together with the bishops of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
For Bishop Hii, the visit was more than a series of meetings and official engagements. It was a profound spiritual reminder of the vocation entrusted to every bishop as a Successor of the Apostles.
"The encounter in Rome reminded me once again of the important role, duty, and responsibility of a bishop in shepherding the local Church entrusted to his care," he reflected. "A bishop is called to continue the apostolic mission of Christ, guiding God's people in faith, hope, and charity."
As he prayed at the tombs of Saints Peter and Paul and visited the heart of the Catholic Church, Bishop Hii carried the Diocese of Sibu close to his heart.
"While I was in Rome, the centre of our Catholic faith, I constantly prayed as a Pilgrim of Hope for all our faithful, priests, religious, and families. I brought before the Lord the joys, hopes, challenges, and aspirations of our local Church."
Together with his fellow bishops, Bishop Hii visited numerous Dicasteries of the Holy See. What touched him deeply was the spirit that animated these Vatican offices.
"Every Dicastery conveyed a clear and beautiful message: they are there to serve and not to be served. Their mission is to accompany and support the local Churches throughout the world in carrying out the mission of Christ."
The visit also reinforced the vision of a Synodal Church — a Church that walks together in communion, participation, and mission.
"We are united with the Universal Church in carrying out the mission entrusted by our Lord Jesus Christ — to proclaim the Gospel to all humanity and indeed to all creation. Although we belong to different dioceses and nations, we share one faith, one mission, and one Lord."
Bishop Hii emphasized that the Diocese of Sibu is not isolated from this universal mission but actively participates in it.
"We are a local Church, but we are also part of the larger Body of Christ. The mission of the Church is our mission. The joys and concerns of the Universal Church are also ours."
One of the greatest blessings of the pilgrimage, Bishop Hii noted, was the opportunity to deepen fraternity with the bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei.
"I feel truly blessed to have spent this time with my brother bishops. Their simplicity, humility, fraternity, and love for the Church were deeply inspiring. We prayed together, shared meals together, travelled together, and supported one another as brothers."
He expressed the hope that this spirit of fraternity would become a model for all dioceses in the region.
"The joy of being together as brothers in Christ should inspire all our dioceses to walk together more closely, strengthening bonds of communion and collaboration for the good of the Church in our region."
Reflecting on the audience with Pope Leo XIV, Bishop Hii highlighted the importance of unity with the Holy Father and fidelity to the teachings of the Church.
"Just as the bishops renewed their loyalty and respect for the Vicar of Christ, Pope Leo XIV, I encourage all the faithful to remain united with the Holy Father, faithful to the Magisterium, and obedient to the teachings of the Mother Church. Through this communion, we remain firmly rooted in the faith handed down by the Apostles."
Concluding his reflection, Bishop Hii invited the faithful of the Diocese of Sibu to continue praying for the Church and her mission.
"May we journey together as Pilgrims of Hope, united with the Universal Church, strengthened by our faith, and committed to bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world."
"The Church is strongest when she walks together — united in communion, participating in mission, and centred on Christ."
A Personal Note of Gratitude and Remembrance
Bishop Joseph Hii also shared a deeply personal reflection that accompanied him throughout the Ad Limina pilgrimage.
With profound gratitude, he thanked God for making the journey possible and remembered with affection and thanksgiving the late Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su Haw Chiu, his predecessor and spiritual father in the Diocese of Sibu.
"I am deeply thankful to the Lord and to Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su. In many ways, it was through his sacrifices, prayers, and faithful service to the Diocese of Sibu that this pilgrimage became possible for me."
Reflecting on the passing of Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su on the morning of Friday, 15 May 2026, Bishop Hii spoke with emotion of what that moment meant to him personally.
"In my heart, I felt that Bishop Emeritus Dominic was quietly speaking to me one last time, telling me to go in peace to Rome. His passing, though sorrowful, gave me the consolation to fulfil the responsibility entrusted to me as Bishop of Sibu and to represent our local Church during the Ad Limina visit."
Bishop Hii was particularly moved by the manner in which Bishop Emeritus completed his earthly pilgrimage.
"He departed this world quietly, humbly, and simply, just as he had lived. There was no desire for recognition, prestige, or grandeur. Even in death, he taught us a final lesson in humility."
The Bishop observed that, unlike many episcopal funerals attended by large numbers of bishops and dignitaries, Bishop Emeritus Dominic's farewell reflected the same simplicity that characterised his life and ministry.
"His life was never about himself. It was always about Christ, the Church, and the people entrusted to his care. In his final journey, he remained faithful to that simplicity."
Bishop Hii invited the faithful of the Diocese of Sibu to remember with gratitude the legacy of Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su, whose years of prayer, sacrifice, and pastoral care continue to bear fruit in the local Church today.
"As we continue our journey as Pilgrims of Hope, may we cherish the witness of Bishop Emeritus Dominic Su—a shepherd who taught us not only how to serve, but also how to surrender ourselves humbly into the hands of God."
