OPEN letter in search for quick solution to
BISHOPGATE 9th December, 2012
The Archbishop Most
Rev Datuk Bolly Lapok,
Cc The Archbishop
of Canterbury,
Lambeth Palace. Bcc: to all Anglicans in my address book
Dear Brothers and
Sisters in Christ,
Re Truth & Reconciliation Commission for
Anglican Diocese of Sabah (ADOS)
The
recent appeal submitted by 10 appellants/delegates backed by a signature
campaign of 1,257 Anglicans in Sabah, Malaysia on the untenable position of the
Bishop of Sabah in the person of Albert Vun Cheong Fui (AVCF) to the House of
Bishops (HOBs) of the Anglican Province of church in South East Asia (APSEA) in
Kuching on 7th and 8th November, 2012. Then a full HOBs meeting was held in Kuching on
28th November, 2012 lacking urgency.
Many expected final proper decision in the first meeting early November,
2012.
The
appeal aka Project Nehemiah (PN) was based on the unsatisfactory and
unconstitutionally decision of HOBs on 18th September, 2012 after a
Provincial Advisory Committee (PAC) of HOBs set up in late May, 2012 on the
complain of 5 concerned members of Anglican Diocese of Sabah.
Since
APSEA and PAC had gathered the facts/truth of ADOS and issued a full
CONFIDENTIAL report in late August 2012 with 38 issues as admitted wrongdoings out
of 40 raised in the investigations of
PAC since May, 2012, it is strongly believed that the Ecclesiastical Court (E-Court) should
have been approved.
In
the appeal of 10 delegates, it was reported that AVCF has two choices namely resign
or face the E-Court. If HOBs functioning
as Judges on 11th September, 2012, then on 28th November,
2012 had been seen ineffective and so would E-Court with the same Judges/bishops
plus a few more persons lacking in relevant experiece could not do any better
and any further delay would work against ADOS and APSEA.
We
are aware of the reasons of the delay for appropriate actions by the provincial
HOBs.
Any
further delay including proposal for E-Court is definitely unacceptable in
whatever ways we may look at the BISHOPGATE.
Looking
back now how I wished APSEA had in May, 2012 or even earlier instituted the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) [thinking out of the box] within the
Anglican context and terms of reference for BISHOPGATE. Maybe it is still feasible for HOB to consider
that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission be set up with the suspension of
AVCF to find a prompt, lasting and possibly superior solution including a
revamp post ADOS BISHOPGATE for APSEA and the global Anglican communion?. PAC was very restrictive and TRC would
certainly be more transparent with the complicity and complexity of BISHOPGATE. PAC also did not interview all those senior
priests who left ADOS since 2005/2006.
Let
the superior TRC instead of E-Court be conducted by PN under the supervision/guidance
of APSEA to provide the impetus for immediate action to resolve BISHOPGATE for
normality to return to ADOS as soon as possible. The decision of HOBs on 18th
September, 2012 has actually worsened the crisis in ADOS and how would AVCF
going on Sabbatical leave in February, 2013
resolve BISHOPGATE when he remains Bishop of Sabah?
I
trust my suggestion would be considered promptly.
Yours
truly,
Joshua
Y. C. Kong
For all the good reasons and all the good intentions of HOBs, the action seen so far speak otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAn impartial adverse HOB is obvious so far. Unless AVCF is removed or instantly suspended now, there is no point to conduct any E-Court as the same bishops are also the Judges in E-Court.
No more time to waste.
Since the HOBs decision on 18th Sept was unconstitutional and looking back a more superior Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) within the Anglican context although not in the Provincial Constitution should have been considered instead of PAC.
We know PAC had come out with a detailed report in late August 2012 held locked away.
We also have seen how PAC conducted the interviews.
TRC would have been a more superior and transparent system to address the complicity and complexity of BISHOPGATE. TRC (substance and form) could have functioned more effectively in Sabah.
Now TRC can still be considered along side the decisions and report of PAC and APSEA.