You are here
SOUTHEAST ASIA ELECTS NEW ARCHBISHOP
Singapore Bishop John Chew takes top slot. Replaces Yong Ping Chung
November 30, 2005
The Most Reverend Datuk Yong Ping Chung, the Primate of the Province of the Anglican Church in South East Asia since February 2000, announces today that the Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Synod of the Province of South Ease Asia, held in Kuala Lumpur 22 - 24 November 2005, has chosen the Right Reverend, Dr John Chew Hiang Chea, the Bishop of Singapore, to be the third Primate (Archbishop) of the Province.
Bishop John Chew will succeed Archbishop Datuk Yong Ping Chung when he is installed in St. Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore, on Sunday, 5th February 2006. The term of office of the Primate of South East Asia is 4 years with the eligibility of re-election for another 4 years. As the Primate of South East Asia, the Archbishop elect like his predecessors, will have the responsibility of overseeing the Anglican work and mission in 4 dioceses (Diocese of Kuching, Diocese of Sabah, Diocese of Singapore, Diocese of West Malaysia) and 9 nations (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam) with a population of 450 million people in the context of multi-religious, racial, languages, cultures and customs.
Archbishop Yong, who will retire in February 2006 when he reaches his 65th birthday, requests the whole Province to remember Bishop John Chew, his family and his Diocese, in prayers.
The Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Synod is provided for by the Constitution of the Province for the specific purpose of choosing the new Archbishop.
The Primate of all Nigeria, the Most Reverend Peter Akinola was the Guest of Honour as Retreat Speaker for the gathering. He spoke about the call to leadership of Moses in a crucial and difficult time in the history of the Israelites, and also some of the apostles in Jesus' own plan for mission.
In the 3 Retreat addresses, he shared the mission experience of the Province of Nigeria and his own experience of the calling to be Primate of all Nigeria, a large church of 18 million worshipers. The short biography note of Bishop John Chew is attached herewith.
For further information, please contact The Provincial Office in Sabah Tel : (60) 88 - 245846/247008
Or The Bishop's Office in Singapore Tel : (65) 62887585
The Most Reverend Yong Ping Chung.
Biographical data
The Rt Revd Dr John CHEW Hiang Chea Archbishop and Primate-Elect of Province of South East Asia.
Born: 04.10.1947 Nationality: Singapore Wife: Mdm Sim Swee Kin (Singaporean). Married in 1972. Children: Chew Chih Ern (born 1975)
Education: B.A., B.A. Hons., M.A (1969, 1970, 1977, Nanyang, Singapore) B.D. Hons (1977, London), Ph.D (1982, Sheffield)
Employment: Assistant Director, Ministry of Defence, 1972-73 Administrative Assistant, Ministry of Science and Technology, 1973-74 Lecturer, Trinity Theological College, Singapore, 1982-1999. Dean of Studies, Trinity Theological College, Singapore, 1985-88 Principal, Trinity Theological College, Singapore, 1991-1999.
Ecclesiastical Appointments: Ordained Deacon at St Andrew's Cathedral, Diocese of Singapore, 1977. Ordained Priest at St Andrew's Cathedral, Diocese of Singapore, 1978. Collated as Hon Canon of St Andrew's Cathedral, Diocese of Singapore, 1985. Consecrated and installed as 9th Bishop of Singapore on 25th April 2000.
Presently serving as: President, St Andrew's Mission Hospital (2000 --). President, Fellowship of Evangelical Students, Singapore (2000 --). President, National Council of Churches of Singapore (2004 --). Hon President, Bible Society of Singapore (2005 --). President, Singapore Anglican Community Services (2005 --). Chairman, Board of Governors, Trinity Theological College, Singapore (2006 --).
END
