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Post Date: 28-September-2021

Memorial Service in Honour of Bishop Joseph C. Hoare (1851-1906)

On Saturday 18 September 2021, a memorial service at sea was held to commemorate the Rt. Revd. Joseph Charles Hoare, Bishop of Victoria, Hong Kong. He was the Warden and the 5th Principal of St. Paul’s College.

A tragedy happened on the same date 115 years ago, which was 1906, when Bishop Hoare and four students from our College lost their lives during a typhoon on their return boat trip off Castle Peak, Tuen Mun, after the group had preached the gospel for several days there.

Immensely blessed by God’s provision of pleasant weather that Saturday, 17 members of the College community sailed along the coast off Tuen Mun in waters near the place where the accident happened.

The group on board included College Council member Terese Wong, Principal Dennis Yuen, College Chaplain Father Shazz Turnquest, the Revd. Kam Fai Ip, Vicar of St. Stephen’s Church, the Revd. Francis Yu, Curate of St. Stephen's Church, religious studies teacher Sarah Leung and some student representatives.

They paid homage to Bishop Hoare in a memorial service at sea led by Reverend Ip. Hymns were sung and prayers in tribute to Bishop Hoare were specially offered during the solemn ceremony.

Bishop Hoare left us a legacy of what it means to be in total commitment to God. He was a devout man of God who will be remembered by generations of Paulines with respect and affection.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” - Psalm 23:4