Holy Spirit Cathedral, Penang
| Holy Spirit Cathedral | |
|---|---|
| Location | Green Lane, Penang |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1958 |
| Dedicated | 2003 (as cathedral) |
| Architecture | |
| Years built | 1969 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Penang |
| Province | Kuala Lumpur |
| Division | Penang Island |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Sebastian Francis |
| Priest(s) | Fr. Anthony Liew (Acting) |
Holy Spirit Cathedral is seat of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Penang, currently Sebastian Francis. It is situated at Green Lane, Penang. It is a World Heritage Church (minor).
The parish was founded in 1958, with about 1,000 parishioners. They celebrated masses at the canteen of Convent Green Lane. After 10 years of hard work raising funds, they were ready to build the church. Mr Seng Tuck HOOI, a forward thinking architect who designed the first high rise in Penang (the 11 storey Ambassador Hotel) was appointed Architect for the church project. Construction of the church finished in 1969 and the church was blessed by Gregory Yong, then Bishop of Penang. In the 1990s, the parish community hall named Dewan Holy Spirit and three levels of classrooms were open.
In 2001, the church was closed for renovations to prepare for the dedication ceremony 2 years later. In 2003, the cathedral status was transferred from the former Cathedral of the Assumption to the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. The Rite Of Dedication was held on 20 January 2003 and the new cathedral was blessed by Antony Selvanayagam, Bishop of Penang.
In October 2007, the groundbreaking ceremony of the Church of Divine Mercy was held. The cathedral played a major role in the fundraising programs. The church, also called the Christian Community Centre, will have a main church accommodating 900 people, 15 classrooms for functions and a priests residence. It is located in Sungai Ara and caters to 2,500 parishioners living in Bayan Lepas. Previously these people had to travel to the cathedral 12 km away from the new church. The church was completed in July 2010 and the opening ceremony was held on 29 September 2010. It will be the first time in 41 years that a new Catholic church is built on Penang Island. On 29 September 2013, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit was split to form a new parish, Church of Divine Mercy.
Currently, the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit is administered by Rev Fr. Anthony Liew, who is the Acting Parish Priest.
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