Archbishop Paul Kwong and the HKSKH Archives

Archbishop Paul Kwong will be retiring on January 2, and there will be many tributes offered to all he has done for the HKSKH, for Christianity and society in Hong Kong and Greater China, and for the worldwide Anglican Communion. He was also the initiator and founder of our HKSKH Archives.

He is the second archbishop and primate of our Church, as well as the second bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong Island and the Macau Missionary Area. He has held these positions since 2007. His time as archbishop, culminates a life in service to the Church.  From his early years at St. Stephen’s Church, with the then Rev’d. Cheung Wing Ngok as his mentor; to his confirmation by Bishop R.O. Hall; to his acceptance to become an ordinand by Bishop Gilbert Baker, studying at the Church Divinity School of the Pacific; to his ordination as deacon and priest by the then Bishop Peter Kong-kit Kwong, he has been immersed in the life of the church and its mission. He was Curate at Holy Trinity Church (now Cathedral), and then vicar of St. Matthias Church. He has held a variety of other positions in HKSKH schools, churches and welfare councils, as well as diocesan and provincial organizations.

Archbishop Paul has been an important leader in Hong Kong in a difficult and transitional time. He has been concerned with developing Anglican identity in our diverse community; with strengthening and renewing our educational ministry;  and with articulating a mission for the city. His missiological interests were the focus of his studies at the University of Birmingham, where he received his Ph.D.

His vision is not limited to the SAR, for he has embraced the Church’s concern for greater China, of which Hong Kong and Macao are an integral part. He has further developed our historic relationship with the Church in China, promoting exchanges and social service, while upholding the Three-Self principle. As delegate to the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing, a position which continues, Archbishop Paul has brought a Hong Kong perspective to the nation as a whole, which has been essential for the enhancement of the “one country, two systems” policy.

Globally, Archbishop Paul, is the first Chinese to Chair the Anglican Consultative Conference, a position in which he continues, bringing his wisdom and a spirit of moderation to the many challenges the communion faces. In this capacity, he has helped make our province better known to churches all over the world. He has also been actively involved in the Council of the Church in East Asia, a regional consortium of Anglican churches, that promotes dialogue, mutual support and unity without uniformity.

Institutional memory is vital for any community, and Archbishop Paul Kwong is a living embodiment of our Hong Kong Anglican heritage and our path to the future. He grew up in the Church, his whole life has been shaped by the Church, and at each stage of his ministry, he has in turn contributed to shaping the Church. Archbishop Paul founded our Archives, and in the future, he has promised to spend more time with us.