Cornelius Sim

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His Eminence

Cornelius Sim
Cardinal
Vicar Apostolic of Brunei
CorneliusSim.png
Sim during his homily.
SeeBrunei Darussalam
Installed21 January 2005
Term ended29 May 2021
Other post(s)
Orders
Ordination26 November 1989
by Anthony Lee Kok Hin
Consecration21 January 2005
by Salvatore Pennacchio
Created cardinal28 November 2020
by Pope Francis
RankCardinal priest
Personal details
Birth nameCornelius Sim
Born(1951-09-16)16 September 1951
Seria, Belait, Brunei
Died29 May 2021(2021-05-29) (aged 69)
Taoyuan, Taiwan
DenominationRoman Catholic
Previous post(s)
Alma mater
MottoDuc in altum
('Put out into the deep'; Luke 5:4)
Styles of
Cornelius Sim
Cardinal-coat-of-arms-s.png
Reference styleHis Eminence
Spoken styleYour Eminence
Informal styleCardinal

Cornelius Sim DD[1] (16 September 1951 – 29 May 2021) was a prelate of the Catholic Church who served as Vicar Apostolic of Brunei from 2004 until his death. He had previously served as the apostolic prefect of Brunei from 1997 to 2004.

Sim was the first graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville priestly discernment program to be ordained to the priesthood. Pope Francis raised him to the rank of a cardinal on 28 November 2020, making him the first cardinal from the country, and from the island of Borneo.

Early life[]

Sim was born in Seria, Brunei, on 16 September 1951. He was the eldest of six children of Lawrence Sim and Monica Yeo,[3] and his grandparents were the first Catholics in their village.[4] He was of Chinese and Dusunic descent.[5] He was raised a Catholic and educated in Catholic schools, but practised his faith less as he reached adulthood.[6][7]

Sim earned an engineering degree from Dundee University in Scotland.[8] After this he stopped practising his faith.[3][7] He worked in utilities operations of Brunei LNG, a joint-venture between the Bruneian government, Royal Dutch Shell and Mitsubishi,[9] from 1978 to 1985; he spent some of these years working abroad.[10] Returning to Brunei, he rediscovered his Catholic faith and grew close to a charismatic group that downplayed doctrine and emphasized personal relationships with God.[6] He earned a master's degree in theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, in 1988.[8][11][12] He returned to Brunei in 1988 and served as an administrator in St John's Church, Kuala Belait until his ordination as deacon on 28 May 1989.[11]

Presbyteral ministry[]

Sim was ordained to the priesthood on 26 November 1989.[8] He became the country's first local priest.[11] He was appointed vicar general of Brunei in 1995,[8] which was part of the Diocese of Miri in Malaysia at the time.[13] After Brunei was split from Miri to form the Apostolic Prefecture of Brunei,[13] Pope John Paul II named Sim apostolic prefect on 21 November 1997.[14][15] He was installed there on 23 February the following year.[1]

Episcopal ministry[]

Pope John Paul II elevated the Prefecture of Brunei to the status of a Vicariate and appointed Sim the first Apostolic Vicar of Brunei and Titular Bishop of Putia in Numidia on 20 October 2004.[8] He received his episcopal consecration on 21 January 2005 from Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio at the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bandar Seri Begawan.[16][17] The co-consecrators were John Ha Tiong Hock, Archbishop of Kuching and Anthony Lee Kok Hin, Bishop of Miri.[18] He requested that his ordination be held in Brunei rather than Rome, so that the local faithful could take part.[4]

On 25 October 2020, Pope Francis announced he would raise him to the rank of cardinal at a consistory scheduled for 28 November 2020.[19] He was the first cardinal from the country.[20] Sim continued to credit his charismatic roots as the basis of his faith, allowing that the movement has been appropriately "domesticated, maybe for good reason".[6] He did not attend the consistory in Rome because of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[21] He expected to receive the symbols of his new rank when the new Apostolic Delegate to Brunei, Archbishop Wojciech Załuski, could travel to take up his post.[6] At that consistory, Pope Francis made him Cardinal-Priest of San Giuda Taddeo Apostolo.[22] On 16 December 2020, he was named a member of the Congregation for the Clergy.[23] His cardinal red hat and ring were couriered to Brunei at a later date after the consistory.[24] In spite of a quietened coverage of his elevation as he did not attend the consistory, Sim still recognized his appointment to the cardinalate as being a sign of worldwide recognition of the nation's Christian community in general.[25] In its 2021 official report, the United States Department of State reported that numerous individuals from throughout society in Brunei had praised the announcement of Sim's elevation as a cardinal.[26]

In his final address to his congregation, he urged the People of God in Brunei not to "be spectators" in his absence, but to make visible their contributions of "time, talent and treasure."[27]

Illness, death and legacy[]

Sim died on 29 May 2021 at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (CGMH) in Taoyuan, Taiwan. He was 69, and suffered a cardiac arrest.[3][28] He had travelled to Taiwan for cancer treatment.[29] His passing was widely reported in local news media as well as Catholic news outlets throughout the world. Tributes poured in following his death from prelates in neighbouring dioceses in the Southeast Asian region, as well as from state dignitaries in Brunei.[30] [31] Speaking on Sim's death, the Archbishop of Kuala Lumpur Julian Leow said, "Brunei has lost one of her illustrious sons, the Bishops’ Conference, a dear brother and the Church, a prince."[30] The United States Embassy in Brunei expressed its "deep sadness" at the passing of the "charismatic leader" Cardinal Sim.[32]

On the day of Sim's passing, Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolence praising Sim's "generous service" to the Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei and to the Holy See, while also expressing his sadness in learning of the cardinal's death, and expressing solidarity with his family as well as the clergy and faithful of Brunei.[33]

The Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei suspended all church activities throughout the country except Masses for two weeks to observe a period of mourning for the late cardinal while his body was being returned to Brunei, from Taiwan.[34]

A wake (ceremony) was held for the late cardinal at the Church of Our Lady of Assumption, the parish which housed his cathedra in Brunei’s capital, on 14 June 2021 with 4 Masses being held on that day: one at 9 AM, the next at 2 PM, another at 6 PM and one last one, that was held in Iban language at 9 PM. A requiem was held the next day, 15 June, at 9 AM and his body was driven through Brunei to all other parishes for the congregations to pay their last respects, before being buried in Kuala Belait.[35][36] Among those in attendance at the funeral service were members of the diplomatic corps in Brunei, as well as representatives from other Christian churches and prominent local community figures.[37]

On September 5 2021, exactly 100 days following Sim's death, the Christian Institute for Theological Engagement (CHRISTE) announced the appointment of the first Cornelius Cardinal Sim Professor, the Rev. Deacon Prof. Dr Sherman Kuek. The professorship's main mission is facilitating research on theological and interreligious dialogue. The date set for the official appointment was September 16 2021, corresponding to Sim's 70th birth anniversary.[38][39][40]

On All Souls' Day in November 2021, Pope Francis held a mass at the Throne of Saint Peter in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City for the repose of Sim's soul, as well as of all other cardinals and bishops who had passed on in the last year.[41]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Profile of HE Cornelius Sim" (PDF). Brunei. Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam News. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 December 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. ^ "Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei Darussalam". The Herald. Archived from the original on 4 August 2019. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Rozario, Rock Ronald (29 May 2021). "Brunei Cardinal Cornelius Sim dies after battling cancer". Hong Kong. Union of Catholic Asian News. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b Allen, Elise Ann (29 May 2021). "Catholicism loses one its newest, hippest cardinals with Sim death". Crux. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  5. ^ Chin, Ung-Ho (2000), The Chinese of South-East Asia, London: Minority Rights Group International, ISBN 978-1-897693-28-5
  6. ^ a b c d Allen, Elise Ann (16 November 2020). "Brunei cardinal says he was 'hijacked' into priesthood..." Crux. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  7. ^ a b Rozario, Rock Ronald (4 November 2020). "Church lives in smaller countries, says cardinal-elect of Brunei". Union of Catholic Asian News. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Rinunce e Nomine, 20.10.2004" (Press release) (in Italian). Holy See Press Office. 20 October 2004. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  9. ^ "History and Background | Brunei LNG Sendirian Berhad". Brunei LNG. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  10. ^ "Cornelius Sim - Bishop - Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei". LinkedIn. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "FIRST LOCAL PRIEST ORDAINED IN BRUNEI BY BISHOP LEE OF MIRI DIOCESE". Union of Catholic Asian News. 8 December 1989. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
  12. ^ Smith, Peter Jesserer (11 November 2020). "Brunei's First Cardinal Has Franciscan University Connection". National Catholic Register. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  13. ^ a b Gomes, Robin (29 May 2021). "Pope praises 'generous service' of late Cardinal Sim of Brunei". Vatican News. Archived from the original on 29 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  14. ^ Acta Apostolicae Sedis (PDF). XC. 1998. p. 173. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 July 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Cardinal, Apostolic Vicar Cardinal Cornelius Sim | Cardinal, Apostolic Vicar of Brunei Apostolic Vicariate Cardinal Cornelius Sim | Ucanews". www.ucanews.com. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Historic moment for Church in Brunei as first bishop is ordained". Asianews.it. 14 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 October 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  17. ^ "Bishop Cornelius Sim". Archived from the original on 15 March 2012. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  18. ^ "Historic Moment For Church In Brunei As First Bishop Is Ordained". UCA News. 8 February 2005. Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  19. ^ O'Connell, Gerard (25 October 2020). "Pope Francis names 13 new cardinals, including Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington D.C." America. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2020.
  20. ^ "Brunei's first native Bishop will also become its first Cardinal". Rome Reports. 20 November 2020. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
  21. ^ Arocho Esteves, Junno (11 November 2020). "Cardinals-designate facing quarantine, trip cancellations due to pandemic". Crux. Catholic News Service. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Concistoro Ordinario Pubblico: Assegnazione dei Titoli, 28.11.2020". Holy See Press Office (in Italian). 28 November 2020. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
  23. ^ "Resignations and Appointments, 16.12.2020" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. 16 December 2020. Archived from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  24. ^ "Brunei's 'exceptional' baker-man Cornelius Cardinal Sim remembered in many ways". The Vibes. June 2021. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  25. ^ "EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: A Conversation with Cardinal Sim: The World-traveled Engineer (Who Initially Declined Ordination to Priesthood) Who Would Become Brunei's 1st Bishop & Cardinal". Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. 1 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 August 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  26. ^ "United States Embassy in Brunei - Our Relationship". 12 May 2021. Archived from the original on 14 August 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  27. ^ "Cardinal Sim's last words to his flock". Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  28. ^ Francis, Sebastian (29 May 2021). "The passing of HE Cardinal Cornelius Sim" (PDF). Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Cardinal Cornelius Sim of Brunei dies of heart failure while undergoing treatment in Taiwan". Licas News. 29 May 2021. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Remembering Cardinal Sim" (PDF). Herald Malaysia. June 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  31. ^ "Brunei's first cardinal". The Scoop Brunei. May 2021. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  32. ^ "US Embassy BSB Twitter" (Press release). US Embassy in Brunei Darussalam. May 2021.
  33. ^ "Telegram of condolence on the death of His Eminence Cardinal Cornelius Sim, 29.05.2021" (Press release). Holy See Press Office. May 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Online Mass - Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei". Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  35. ^ "In Memoriam". Apostolic Vicariate in Brunei Darussalam. 19 June 2021. Archived from the original on 21 July 2021. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  36. ^ "HOPE Newsletter 2021 #2" (PDF). HOPE Newsletter. July 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
  37. ^ "Foreign envoys pay last respect to Cardinal Cornelius Sim". Borneo Bulletin. June 2021. Archived from the original on 6 August 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  38. ^ "Announcement of the Inauguration and Installation of the Cornelius Cardinal Sim Professorial Chair in Theology and Dialogue" (PDF). Christian Institute for Theological Engagement (CHRISTE). September 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 17 September 2021.
  39. ^ "Cornelius Cardinal Sim's legacy lives on". HOPE Newsletter. September 2021. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  40. ^ "Christian group honors late Brunei cardinal". UCA News. September 2021. Archived from the original on 6 September 2021. Retrieved 6 September 2021.
  41. ^ "Holy Mass for the repose of the Cardinals and Bishops deceased during the course of the year". Vatican - Activities of the Holy Father Pope Francis.

External links[]

Catholic Church titles
New title Vicar General of Brunei
1995–1997 		Succeeded by
Himself
as Apostolic Prefect of Brunei
Preceded by
Himself
as Vicar General of Brunei 		Apostolic Prefect of Brunei
1997–2004 		Succeeded by
Himself
as Apostolic Vicar of Brunei
Preceded by
Himself
as Apostolic Prefect of Brunei 		Apostolic Vicar of Brunei
2004–2021 		Vacant
Preceded by Titular Bishop of Putia in Numidia
2004–2020 		Vacant
Preceded by
Michael Teng
 General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei
2015–2017 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Vice-President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei
2017–2021 		Vacant
First
position established
 Cardinal Priest of San Giuda Taddeo Apostolo
2020–2021 		Vacant
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