Posted on 02/12/2007 6:42:58 PM PST by sionnsar
The Most Revd Paul Kwong becomes the new Primate
On 3rd February, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui elected the Rt. Revd. Paul Kwong, Diocesan Bishop of Hong Kong Island, to be their next Archbishop, following the retirement of Archbishop Peter Kwong on 31st December 2006. The result of the election was endorsed in a special session of the Third General Synod later the same day.
Archbishop Paul was brought up in an Anglican family, his great grandfather being one of the first Chinese Anglican priests in the 19th Century. Archbishop Paul Kwong was ordained deacon and priest in 1982 and 1983 respectively. He served as curate in Holy Trinity Church for four years and became vicar of St. Matthiass Church for more than ten years. He was founder of two mission churches: St. Philips Church and The Church of the Ascension. His ministry has involved various roles, including Chairman of different social service units and a Supervisor of church schools.
Archbishop Paul was consecrated bishop on the Feast of Annunciation 25th March 2006 and was enthroned as Diocesan Bishop on 15th January 2007.
The newly elected Archbishop delivers his message after the result was announced
Archbishop Paul pursued his under-graduate studies in the Lingnan College, Hong Kong and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. His theological training was at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific and he was awarded a M.Div. degree in 1982. He is currently a candidate for Ph.D at the University of Birmingham, England and candidate for D.D. (Hon.) at Wycliffe College, University of Toronto.
In the last twenty-five years, Archbishop Paul has served the Church in various positions in the Diocese and Province. He was Chairman of the Diocesan Youth Committee, lecturer at Minghua Theological College, Assistant to the Archbishop, and Provincial General Secretary. He has also been actively involved in the Anglican Communion as a member of the Anglican Commissions Mission Commission and Asia Region Conference Anglican Encounter in the South.
Archbishop Paul is a man of both holiness and ability. Hong Kong Anglicans believe that he will make a great contribution to the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui and to the Anglican Communion.
Archbishop Paul Kwong with Bishop Louis Tsui and Bishop Thomas Soo
Prayers for the new Archbishop would be greatly appreciated.
I know some first hand information from my Dad: he has friends who know well HKSKH's developments. They are trying to get someone a bit younger to be the new Primate, and this is why the current bishops of the three dioceses are not elected - all are around 60.
As far as I have heard, the new one seems to be even more orthodox/"conservative" than Peter Kwong, whom my parents personally know. Peter Kwong has an unfortunate habit of accommodation with the liberal "Christians" at times even if no liberal himself. Sometimes he dabbles into social gospel, but not much, and very mild by anywhere's standards.
The new Arshbishop is flat out evangelical, however.
Thank you for the information!
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