The newest official Province of the world-wide Anglican Communion, the Province of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, the Hong Kong Anglican Church, will be inaugurated in a colourful liturgy on 25 October 1998.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd George L. Carey, will be present in Hong Kong for the historic celebration as this growing Church becomes the 38th Province of world Anglicanism. Guests are expected from England, USA, Southeast Asia, Canada, Australia and other parts of the Communion. The Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, Canon John L. Peterson, will be reading the mandate giving the metropolitical authority to the new Province. The celebration will mark the enthronement and recognition of the election of the newest Primate (Chief pastor) in the Anglican Communion, Archbishop-elect Peter Kwong. The new Province includes the Dioceses of Hong Kong Island, Eastern Kowloon and Western Kowloon and the Missionary area of Macau.

A Celebration Show and Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on the evening of 25 October. The history of the Church dates back to the mid-19th century with an influx of missionaries provided by the American Church, as well as the Churches in Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and England.

The Province has over 30,000 communicants. On mainland China, Anglicans are now part of the post denominational Church (the Three Self Movement) and are members of the China Christian Council.

Special reports and photos will be available immediately following the events in Hong Kong.

Story and photos will be available immediately following the events above, from Canons Margaret Rodgers and James Rosenthal.