The Diocese of Sandakan (Dioecesis Sandakaanus; Keuskupan Sandakan: 山打根教区) is a Latin Catholic ecclesiastical jurisdiction located in Sabah, at East Malaysia. It is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. The diocese is subdivided into 5 parishes (Sandakan, Beluran, Lahad Datu, Telupid and Tawau) and 1 mission district (Paitan), covering the east coast portion of the state comprising the Sandakan as well as Tawau divisions.[1]
History
The diocese was created by the decree of papal bull "Missionalem per navitatem" on 16 July 2007,[2] and consist of the East Coast territory of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu. Julius Dusin Gitom was appointed as the first bishop of the diocese. The diocese covers the Sandakan and Tawau Divisions located in the East Coast of Sabah state.
Ordinaries
| No. | Portrait | Name | Period in office | Insignia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Julius Dusin Gitom (born 1957) | 16 July 2007 – Present |
List of parishes
Five parishes and one mission are located in the Diocese of Sandakan.[3]
- St. Mary's Cathedral Parish, Sandakan
- St. Dominic's Parish, Lahad Datu Rector: Rev. Fr. Stanley William Matakim
- Paitan Mission (St. Francis of Assisi's Church), Paitan, Beluran Administrator: Rev. Fr. Arthur John
- St. Martin's Parish, Telupid Rector: Rev. Fr. Christopher Ireneus
- Holy Trinity Parish, Tawau Rector: Rev. Fr. Raymond Lee Seng Huat
- Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Beluran Rector: Rev. Fr. Stephen Esguerra