Kota Kinabalu: Archdeacon of the Urban Area of Sabah-cum-Rector of St Patrick's Church, Tawau, the Venerable Albert Vun Cheong Fui, 49, has been unanimously appointed 5th Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sabah by the House of Bishops of the Province of the Anglican Church in Southeast Asia.The Provincial House of Bishops consists of the four Diocesan Bishops from the Dioceses of Singapore, West Malaysia, Kuching and Sabah.
Results from two levels of nomination were forwarded to the House in July this year.
The House met here on Aug. 16 and 17 this year to make the selection and appointment. Fourth and current Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Sabah, The Most Rev. Datuk Yong Ping Chung, who is also the second Archbishop of the Province of the Anglican Church in Southeast Asia, made the announcement at a press conference at Wisma Anglican, Monday.
This followed Rev. Vun's acceptance of the appointment.
The new Bishop will be consecrated and installed on St Mark's Day, April 25, 2006 at the All Saints' Cathedral, here, and will move to his official residence at Karamunsing.
"Fifteen years as Bishop is long enough. I will reach 65 on Feb. 20 next year. According to our Diocesan Constitution, I must retire to allow a younger and more energetic colleague to take over.
"In Sabah, the whole Anglican Church was involved in the nomination of my successor. And a lot of prayers were put inÉall the churches were asked to pray more and talk less over the matter.
"No campaigning, no speeches were made. We believe that the choice of Archdeacon Vun is the choice not only of the people but also affirmed by God himself," he said. Introducing the Bishop-Elect to reporters, Bishop Yong said : "I am very pleased that a man of deep faith and spiritual vitality has been appointed to fill this post.
"His own ministry in Tawau has been fruitful...from 500 or 600 the congregation has grown to about 3,000. That is the fruitfulness of his ministry.
Earlier, the 11-member Archbishop Advisory Board chaired by lawyer Kenneth Thien Su Yin identified 13 priests who were potential candidates.
Thien, who is the legal advisor to the Anglican Diocese of Sabah, said they were required to indicate in writing whether they were willing to offer themselves for nomination as candidate. Four including Rev Vun replied in the affirmative.
Their names were then put forward to the parishes in the diocese and the entire church was requested to pray over the matter.
