Form Follows Function: Canterbury Tales, Roman History

It is highly likely that by the time you read this, we shall already know who the successor to Pope Francis is. His Holiness passed away on April 21st after a short illness.  It was Easter Monday. He had occupied the See of Rome for a dozen years, with courage, humour, a light touch, and deep public concern for the poor, for refugees, for the stigmatised, and for the broken.  His pontificate was marked by compassion and care for those outside the church.  Inside the church, Pope Francis somehow managed to keep Pax Romana Ecclesia intact, despite the divisions on dogmatism and culture wars that have rend asunder most Protestant denominations.

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The Next Archbishop of Canterbury: The End of English Hegemony

There is nothing especially unique about the premature departure of an Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop Welby left office on January 6th 2025, the Feast of the Epiphany, marking the visit of the Magi to see the Christ-child. So, it is perhaps sobering to remember that, like the proverbial wise men, many of his predecessors left office to return home by some other route they had not initially bargained on.

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Resurrection and the New Life

Easter Day, Hong Kong Island, St. John’s Cathedral, 2025

Happy Easter to you all. Christ is Risen, Hallelujah! On Maundy Thursday we gathered at the altar, stripped it bare, and remembered that “on the night before he died, he had supper with his friends”.  At the Eucharist, we are asked to repeat it. “Do this in remembrance of me” is what Jesus asks. Remember.

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Maundy Thursday Chrism Mass 2025

St. John’s Cathedral, Hong Kong Island

Let me begin by thanking Archbishop Andrew and his fellow bishops for their invitation to preach this morning at this Chrism Mass. It is truly an honour to be with you. And perhaps the most important thing to say at the start of this homily is a huge “thank you” to you, as clergy and ministers in Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui. Ministry is tough, demanding and exhausting.  It is also inspiring, rewarding and exciting. But I know, as you do, that it is costly: personally, to your families and friendships, and to our lives.

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