Former Dean of St John’s Cathedral, the Revd Canon Stephen Sidebotham, passes away on 9 July

Former Dean of St John’s Cathedral, the Revd Canon Stephen Sidebotham passed away peacefully on 9 July (GMT). The Most Revd Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, expressed his condolences and said that he has lost a close friend and mentor.

Canon Sidebotham was born on 31 May 1935 and was ordained to the order of the deaconate in 1960 and then to priesthood in 1961. He came to Hong Kong in 1964 and started serving at St John’s Cathedral. In 1970 he became the vicar of Christ Church. On 3 June 1976, he was appointed as Dean of St John’s Cathedral, a post he assumed on 31 October, succeeding the Revd Rex Howe. Bishop Gilbert Baker appointed him as Archdeacon in October 1977 and on 6 August 1982, the Most Revd Dr Peter Kwong, then Bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong and Macau, appointed him as Canon of St John’s Cathedral. In September 1982, Canon Sidebotham returned to Britain.

Canon Sidebotham replaced the Very Revd Christopher Phillips and became Dean of St John’s Cathedral again in 2003. He retired from this post in 2005.

Archbishop Chan praised Canon Sidebotham for dedicating his life to Christ and for serving the Church. He made immense contribution to Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui. Aside from being a parish priest and the Dean of St John’s Cathedral, he had also taken part in the work of the Welfare Council, taught in Ming Hua Theological College and many priests in Hong Kong Sheng Kung had studied with him.

Archbishop Chan said that when he was sub-dean of St John’s, Canon Sidebotham was his mentor. He described Canon Sidebotham as a person who was sensitive to human nature, which allows him to remain steadfast in spiritual truth but maintained an understanding attitude towards others. Canon Sidebotham was very willing to share his pastoral caring experiences but was a good listener at the same time; he prioritized the welfare of the society but was indifferent about his personal losses Archbishop Chan said.

Archbishop Chan expressed his condolences and feelings of loss at Canon Sidebotham’s passing away, and described that he has lost a close friend and a mentor. Yet at the same time, Archbishop Chan also thanked the Lord for Canon Sidebotham’s life. He appealed to the Anglicans in Hong Kong to remember Canon Sidebotham in their prayers and pray that God would comfort the family of the deceased and give them hope.

St John’s Cathedral is planning to hold a memorial service for Canon Sidebotham for all Anglicans in Hong Kong to remember Canon Sidebotham together. Details will be available at a later date.

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