Members and volunteers of the 13th Provisional Council
The 13th Provisional Council of the Macau Missionary Area was held in the afternoon of 5 July at St Paul’s Church in Macau. The theme of this council was ‘The Missionary Diocese in Advent’. During the adjournment for discussion, the Most Revd Andrew Chan, as chairman of the council, shared with members the timeline for the establishment of the Missionary Diocese. Canon Moses Cheng then introduced the draft constitution and canons of the Missionary Diocese, focusing on their Macau-specific features. The Revd Odette Pun provided an overview of the current situation of the Missionary Area, and chaired the ensuing Q&A session.
The provisional council began with a Eucharistic service. The meeting proper was presided over by Archbishop Andrew, who appointed Mr Chow Siu Ngor as the parliamentarian; and Mr Chan Chi Kwan, Principal of the SKH Choi Kou School (Macau), and Mr Posso Ip Kam Po, Service Director of the SKH Macau Social Services Coordination Office, as scrutineers. After the council members presented their credentials to the chairman and confirmed the minutes of the 12th Provisional Council, the appointment and election of office-bearers took place. The various committees of the 12th Provisional Council presented their work reports, followed by the election of committee members (election results published on page two) and an adjournment for discussion.
During the discussion, Archbishop Andrew shared with the council members the anticipated progress of the establishment of the Missionary Diocese of Macau (MMD). He noted that the Standing Committee of the Provincial General Synod, in conjunction with the Standing Committee of the Missionary Area of Macau (MMA), had established a Central Coordination Committee, which has four main responsibilities: drafting and organising the constitutions and canons; financial matters; appointment of the first bishop; and preparing the celebrations for a new diocese.
Archbishop Andrew sharing the planned timeline for a new Missionary Diocese
From June 2020 to June 2025, due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee conducted profiling of the first bishop, outlining the qualities and characteristics required for a bishop in Macau.
During this period, the group also addressed the constitutional status of the future missionary diocese in Macau, ensuring it has a legal standing both within Macau and within the global Anglican Communion. First, the group completed the registration of ‘the Association of Macau Sheng Kung Hui’, which will serve as the legal entity for the future missionary diocese; Next, the drafting of the Missionary Diocese (Diocese) Constitution and Canons was completed, and the draft was submitted to the Macau Missionary Area’s Standing Committee, the Provincial Commission on Constitution and Canons, and the General Synod’s Standing Committee for report and consultation.
From July 2025 to December 2026, the Missionary Area’s Standing Committee will submit the final version of the constitution and canons to the Provincial Commission on Constitution and Canons, and the General Synod’s Standing Committee for approval. Once both have approved the final draft, the Missionary Area’s Standing Committee must submit a three-year plan to the General Synod’s Standing Committee. At the same time, it must also prepare a three-year financial budget for the diocese and submit it to the General Synod Standing Committee, who will consider and approve them both.
Meanwhile, a report of the qualities sought of the inaugural bishop will be reported to the House of Bishops, who will then nominate the first bishop, subject to confirmation by the General Synod. Afterwards, the appointed bishop must organise a council accepted by the Standing Committee of the General Synod to carry out provisional work. Archbishop Andrew believes that since the missionary diocese will not be starting from scratch, the appointed bishop can decide to have the provisional council act as this new ‘council’ to carry out provisional duties for the new diocese. At the same time, preparations must be made for the bishop’s consecration and enthronement ceremony and other celebrations.
Once the above tasks are completed, the consecration and installation of the first Bishop of Macau and the establishment of the Anglican Diocese of Macau (Missionary) will commence. Archbishop Andrew noted that it is difficult to tell whether these tasks will be completed earlier or later than the expected time, so it is difficult to predict when we will have the first Bishop of Macau. The Archbishop also emphasised that the establishment of the Missionary Diocese is not an end but a new beginning, marking the start of a new chapter of new evangelisation, new pastoral care, new educational work, and new social service work.
The chancellor of the province, Canon Moses Cheng, delivered a lecture on the ‘Constitution of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Macau Missionary Diocese (Macau Sheng Kung Hui)’. He pointed out that the Constitution outlines the role of the Macau Sheng Kung Hui as a missionary diocese of the Province of HKSKH, affirming its role within the Macau community.
Regarding the importance of the Constitution and Canons, Canon Cheng noted that they provide a solid framework for internal governance within the Church, ensuring accountability and structure. They shape the Church’s mission and vision, guiding its future direction and goals within the Macau community. They enhance community participation by encouraging engagement and collaboration among church members.
Canon Cheng cited Canon 5 to explain the ‘entity of the Missionary Diocese under Macau law,’ noting that the Diocese is an association established and properly registered under Macau law, with the name ‘Macau Sheng Kung Hui’. The membership, governance, and management of the association are determined by the House of Bishops; the members of the association’s board of directors and supervisory board are appointed by the Archbishop. The stewards thus appointed must manage and operate the association in accordance with the instructions issued to them by the Archbishop, who will do so periodically.
Canon Cheng also stated that the ‘Macau Sheng Kung Hui’ is a missionary diocese of the Province of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, and is not an independent diocese; it must comply with the constitution, canons, instructions, and guidelines of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui; and it must operate in accordance with the policies and instructions of the Province’s House of Bishops, General Synod, and its Standing Committee to preach the Gospel, and serve the faithful and the Macau community.
The highest level of the Macau Missionary Diocese’s structure is the Provincial General Synod, followed by the Missionary Diocesan Synod (Standing Committee), which oversees the Finance Committee and the Development Committee.
The Revd Odette Pun sharing the current situation of the Missionary Area
Canon Moses Cheng introducing the Macanese features of the drafted constitution and canons