Titus Chung Explained

Type:Archbishop
Honorific Prefix:The Most Reverend
Titus Chung Khiam Boon
Archbishop of the Province of South East Asia
Bishop of Singapore
Church:Church of the Province of South East Asia
Diocese:Singapore
Term:2024–present (as archbishop)
2020–present (as diocesan bishop)
Predecessor:Melter Tais (as archbishop)
Rennis Ponniah (as diocesan bishop)
Ordination:1997 (priest)
Consecration:2020
Consecrated By:John Chew
Kuan Kim Seng
Birth Date:1964 or 1965
Birth Place:Singapore
Spouse:Mrs Connie Chung
Children:2
Previous Post:Vicar of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit (1997-2005)
Priest-in-Charge of St. Andrew's Cathedral's Mandarin Congregation (2005-2020)
Religion:Anglican
T:章劍文
S:章剑文
P:Zhāng Jiànwén

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.

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.

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

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.

References

  1. Web site: Release . Press . 2020-10-23 . Titus Chung consecrated Bishop of Singapore . 2022-12-12 . Anglican Ink © 2022 . en-US.
  2. Web site: SIN . YUEN . 2020-10-19 . Titus Chung becomes 10th bishop of Anglican Church in Singapore . 2022-12-12 . The New Paper . en.
  3. Web site: Bishop of Singapore – The Diocese of Singapore . 2022-06-12 . en-GB.
  4. Web site: Alumni . 2023-09-30 . Trinity Theological College . en-US.
  5. Web site: SIN . YUEN . 2020-10-19 . Titus Chung becomes 10th bishop of Anglican Church in Singapore . 2022-06-14 . The New Paper . en.
  6. Web site: Rt Revd Dr Titus Chung . 2022-12-12 . ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity . en-US.
  7. Web site: All by God’s Grace and All for God’s Glory – St. Andrew's Mission Hospital . 2022-12-12 . en-US.
  8. Web site: 2020-10-19 . Titus Chung formally succeeds Rennis Ponniah as 10th Bishop of Singapore . 2022-12-12 . Salt&Light . en.
  9. Web site: 2020-02-10 . Chung Chosen Bishop of Influential Singapore Diocese . 2022-12-12 . The Living Church . en-US.
  10. Web site: Paper . The New . 2020-10-19 . Titus Chung becomes 10th bishop of Anglican Church in Singapore . 2022-12-12 . Head Topics . en.
  11. Web site: Anglican Communion . Diocese - South East Asia - Singapore .
  12. Web site: Search Profile . 2023-09-30 . www.charities.gov.sg.
  13. Web site: Woerman . Melodie . 2023-09-27 . Singapore Bishop Titus Chung Khiam Boon elected new primate of the Church of the Province of South East Asia . 2023-09-30 . Episcopal News Service . en-US.
  14. Web site: Release . Press . 2023-09-27 . Titus Chung elected new archbishop of South East Asia . 2023-09-30 . Anglican Ink © 2023 . en-US.
  15. Web site: Chung . 12 November 2022 . RENEWAL OF HEARTS, REVIVAL IN CHURCH . 30 September 2023 . Anglican Diocese of Singapore.
  16. Web site: Jiki Tais . 18 February 2023 . Pastoral Letter (Provincial) . 30 September 2023 . St John's-St Margaret's Church, Singapore.
  17. News: Liew . Isabelle . 2023-02-18 . Anglican Church in S’pore ‘deeply disappointed’ by Church of England’s blessing of same-sex couples . en . The Straits Times . 2023-09-30 . 0585-3923.