The Practical Prophet

Bishop Ronald O. Hall of Hong Kong and His Legacies

Moira M. W. Chan-Yeung

• Publisher: Hong Kong University Press
• Year: 2015
• eBook ISBN:
  9789888313785
• Subtopic: Religious Biographies

As the longest serving and the most influential bishop of Hong Kong during one of the most tumultuous periods in China's history, Bishop R. O. Hall played a crucial role in the reconstruction of the Anglican Church and Hong Kong after the Second World War. Born in England, the bishop committed his life to building bridges: between China and England; between Hong Kong workers and company management; between the government and the Hong Kong people; and, of course, between the Hong Kong people he loved and the Divine he worshipped. His single-mindedness in pursuing and translating the social theology of F. D. Maurice into practical terms resulted in his enormous contributions to the development of social welfare, low-cost housing, and education in postwar Hong Kong and helped spur its economic and social evolution into a global city. This book highlights the two major controversies during his episcopacy: the ordination of a woman priest during the war and his visit to China during the "Hundred Flowers Campaign." Based on primary archival and private materials, this book shows that Bishop Hall, whole-hearted in pursuit of his goals for Hong Kong through "love-in-action," was also multifaceted, with longings, questions, and inner contradictions we all share.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Series Introduction
• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Chapter 1 - Sowing the Seeds
• Chapter 2 - The Making of a Bishop
• Chapter 3 - Working under the Threat of the Japanese
• Chapter 4 - Managing the Diocese under Political Turmoil
• Chapter 5 - Shepherding His Flock in God’s Beloved City
• Chapter 6 - Consolidating and Expanding His Work
• Chapter 7 - His Humanity and His Legacies in Hong Kong
• Appendix 1 - Transcript of Bishop R. O. Hall’s Tape Recordings Made after His Retirement
• Appendix 2 - Bishop R. O. Hall’s Life Events
• Appendix 3 - Bishops Consecrated, Deans Installed, Archdeacons Appointed, and Clergy Ordained by Bishop R. O. Hall
• Appendix 4 - Churches and Schools in Hong Kong during Bishop R. O. Hall’s Episcopate
• Appendix 5 - Names of Places, People, and Terms in English and Chinese
• Appendix 6 - Sources of Information
• Index