Paul Kwong

Paul Kwong CStJ (; born 28 February 1950) is a retired Anglican bishop from Hong Kong, who served as Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, Bishop of Hong Kong Island, and Bishop of Macau from 2007 to 2021. Kwong is also the current chair of the Anglican Consultative Council, as the first sitting primate to lead an ACC meeting. Kwong is also a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) taking a pro-Beijing stance.

Early life and education

Kwong was born to a local Christian family in 1950. His father was a teacher and his great-grandfather, Kwong Yat-sau, was the first Chinese priest in the Diocese of Victoria. After graduation, he was admitted to Church Divinity School of the Pacific in 1979 to pursue studies in a Master of Theology degree, then graduated in 1982. and consecrated on 25 March 2006 at St John's Cathedral. Following his consecration, Kwong became Coadjutor Bishop until his predecessor, Peter Kwong, left office on 31 December 2006. After being elected by the General Synod on 3 February 2007, at St John's Cathedral (Hong Kong). His advisor for theological and historical studies is Rev Dr Philip L. Wickeri, Professor of Church History at HKSKH Ming Hua Theological College.

Kwong was conferred an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by Lingnan University, his alma mater, on 16 October 2007. Kwong was designated member of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, political advisory body of People's Republic of China, in February 2013.

Kwong was elected chairperson of the Anglican Consultative Council on 15 April 2016 during the Lambeth Conference, succeeding James Tengatenga, then Bishop of Southern Malawi. Prior to this appointment, he has served as the ACC Standing Committee since 2012. In 2017, he was enthroned as Episcopal Canon of St. George's Cathedral, Jerusalem.

Kwong retired in January 2021, succeeded by Matthias Der, Dean of St John's Cathedral, as the bishop of Hong Kong Island and by Andrew Chan, Bishop of Western Kowloon, as Archbishop of Hong Kong. He was invited by Archbishop Chan to be Archbishop Emeritus of Hong Kong.

Political views Paul Kwong has been known for his staunch pro-Beijing stance in Hong Kong. During an interview with the reporters of Echo, official newspaper published by the Province, Kwong stated that a universal suffrage would not be a "panacea", and numerous social issues in Hong Kong would still exist even after its implementation. Paul Kwong ridiculed the 511 protesters who were arrested during a sit-in protest following the annual 1 July rally, suggesting they should "bring along their Filipino maids to the march". and expressed his perplexity over why some Hong Kong people "have to speak up so much" in that homily. Wu Chi-wai, pastor from Christian and Missionary Alliance, responded that it would be "unfair to use Jesus to fit some personal values and orientation". expressing her disappointment that Kwong "had lashed out at the students". Chan Kin-man, co-organizer of Occupy Central movement, queried Kwong's attitude, saying, "elievers and society expected religious leaders to speak up to manifest the value of their belief."