Titus_Chung

Titus Chung

Titus Chung

Singaporean Anglican bishop and 10th Bishop of Singapore

Titus Chung Khiam Boon (Chinese: 章剑文) is the archbishop of the Anglican Church of the Province of South East Asia and the 10th Bishop of Singapore. He is a systematic theologian who serves at St. Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore. He was ordained in 1997 in the Diocese of Singapore after graduating from Trinity Theological College.[1][2] Chung was installed for a four-year term as the seventh archbishop of the Province of South East Asia at St Andrew's Cathedral (Singapore) on 23 January 2024.

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Early life and education

Chung studied at Trinity Theological College; and then University of Edinburgh. He received a Doctorate in Philosophy from the latter and his doctorate dissertation was on the Scottish theologian, Thomas F. Torrance's theory of divine revelation.[3][4]

Priesthood

Prior to Chung's ordination in 1997, he graduated from Trinity Theological College, Singapore. Thereafter, he became a priest and later, Vicar of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit from 1997 to 2005, before being Priest-in-charge of St Andrew's Cathedral’s Mandarin congregation.[5][6][7]

Before Chung's installation as the Bishop of Singapore, he taught part-time at his alma mater, Trinity Theological College and at the same time, was the Convenor of Continuing Ministerial Education for Clergy and Deaconesses of the diocese and a member of the Senior Clergy Planning Team.[3]

On 18 October 2020, Chung was installed as the 10th Bishop of Singapore at St Andrew's Cathedral.[5][8][9][10][11]

As the Diocesan Bishop of Singapore, Chung holds office and chairmanship in various organisations and institutions of the Anglican Church such as the training institute of the diocese, St Peter's Hall and Anglican schools such as St Andrew's School, Singapore.[12]

Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia

At the Extraordinary Provincial Synod of 2023, Chung has been elected as the next Archbishop of the Church of the Province of South East Asia.[13] [14] He will succeed the incumbent Anglican Primate of the province, the Most Reverend Datuk Melter Jiki Tais in 2024. Chung's installation service as the 7th Archbishop of the Province was held on the 23rd January 2024 at St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore.

Views

Evangelicalism

In an official statement on 12 November 2022, Chung emphasises the importance of obeying the New Commandment and fulfilling the Great Commission, highlighting the central role of faith and evangelism in the church's mission. The Bishop places a strong emphasis on renewal and revival within the church. He believes that the church can be revitalised through spiritual renewal of its leaders and members and calls on individuals to commit themselves afresh to the Lord.[15]

Sexuality and same-sex marriages

In a pastoral letter, Chung, along with all other bishops in the Church of the Province of South East Asia affirm a conservative theological stance on the issue of same-sex unions.[16] They firmly assert that marriage, according to Scripture, is solely between one man and one woman. This reflects their commitment to traditional interpretations of the Bible. They expressed strong disagreement with the recent decision of the Church of England to permit blessings for same-sex civil unions. They consider this decision to lack biblical grounding and to be contrary to their theological beliefs. While disagreeing with the Church of England's stance, the Bishops emphasise their commitment to the authority of Scripture. They argue that any words or liturgy used in church services must align faithfully with Scripture, and they see the provision for blessings of same-sex unions as a violation of this theological principle.[17]

Despite their theological stance against same-sex unions, the Bishops express a commitment to love and care for individuals of all sexual orientations. They pledge to journey with such persons and pray for them to live in obedience to God's Word.

The Bishops highlight the autonomy of Anglican provinces, stressing that the Church of England's decision does not impact their own position and practice. They reaffirm their commitment to their own theological principles and Anglican Formularies.

While expressing strong reservations about the Church of England's decision, the Bishops believe in the importance of maintaining unity within the broader Anglican communion. They indicate their intention to remain in communion with the Church of England while advocating for their theological beliefs.[16]

The Bishops conclude the letter with a call for prayer and faith in God's purpose. They express the hope that God's truth will prevail and indicate their reliance on prayer as a means of addressing theological differences within the Anglican community.

Personal life

Chung is married to Connie Chung and they have two sons their twenties, Theodore and Thaddeus.[3]

References

  1. [1]
    Release, Press (23 October 2020). "Titus Chung consecrated Bishop of Singapore". Anglican Ink © 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  2. [2]
    SIN, YUEN (19 October 2020). "Titus Chung becomes 10th bishop of Anglican Church in Singapore". The New Paper. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  3. [3]
    "Bishop of Singapore – The Diocese of Singapore". Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  4. [4]
    "Alumni". Trinity Theological College. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  5. [5]
    SIN, YUEN (19 October 2020). "Titus Chung becomes 10th bishop of Anglican Church in Singapore". The New Paper. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  6. [6]
    "Rt Revd Dr Titus Chung". ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  7. [7]
    "All by God's Grace and All for God's Glory – St. Andrew's Mission Hospital". Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  8. [8]
    "Titus Chung formally succeeds Rennis Ponniah as 10th Bishop of Singapore". Salt&Light. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  9. [9]
    "Chung Chosen Bishop of Influential Singapore Diocese". The Living Church. 10 February 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  10. [10]
    Paper, The New (19 October 2020). "Titus Chung becomes 10th bishop of Anglican Church in Singapore". Head Topics. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
  11. [11]
    Anglican Communion. "Diocese - South East Asia - Singapore".
  12. [12]
    "Search Profile". www.charities.gov.sg. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  13. [13]
    Woerman, Melodie (27 September 2023). "Singapore Bishop Titus Chung Khiam Boon elected new primate of the Church of the Province of South East Asia". Episcopal News Service. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  14. [14]
    Release, Press (27 September 2023). "Titus Chung elected new archbishop of South East Asia". Anglican Ink © 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  15. [15]
    Chung (12 November 2022). "RENEWAL OF HEARTS, REVIVAL IN CHURCH" (PDF). Anglican Diocese of Singapore. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  16. [16]
    Jiki Tais (18 February 2023). "Pastoral Letter (Provincial)" (PDF). St John's-St Margaret's Church, Singapore. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  17. [17]
    Liew, Isabelle (18 February 2023). "Anglican Church in S'pore 'deeply disappointed' by Church of England's blessing of same-sex couples". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
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