PENAMPANG, Malaysia (UCAN) -- Kota Kinabalu diocese in Sabah, Malaysia's easternmost state, has held a training session for lay counselors and caregivers as the first step toward setting up a diocesan service center.

The diocese's Family Life Commission organized the daylong training on March 1 at the Catholic Diocesan Centre in Penampang, just south of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital and the diocese's base.

Among the 57 participants were registered counselors, degree or diploma holders in counseling, doctors, lawyers, teachers and retired people. Five Franciscan and two Good Shepherd nuns also took part.

Two priests facilitated the training. Father Charles Chiew, who has doctoral degrees in counseling and psychology, dealt with the theory and theology of pastoral care, ethics in counseling and spirituality of caregivers.

Father Peter Abas, who has a doctoral degree in gerontological counseling, spoke on substance abuse, gerontology and creative art therapy. The priest also has master's degrees in counseling, counseling psychology, pastoral counseling and spiritual care.

The session came after Bishop John Lee of Kota Kinabalu directed the commission to set up a counseling service center at Sacred Heart Cathedral in the state capital, 1,625 kilometers east of Kuala Lumpur. Its primary goal was to gather Catholics living in and around Kota Kinabalu who could serve as lay counselors or caregivers, and to form a team of trained, competent and committed persons to provide these services.

Participants UCA News spoke with said they appreciated the session. One called the initiative to set up the counseling center "one way we can minister to others as one Church."

A team consisting of two registered counselors headed by Father Chiew will provide further training as well as monitor and supervise the lay counselors and caregivers who eventually form the diocesan team.

According to Susan Shee, who heads the Family Life Commission, Sacred Heart Cathedral rector Monsignor Primus Jouil strongly supports the plan for the service center, which will be set up at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.

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