Among 25 recipients of the Lambeth Awards presented by the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace this week is one friend of this diocese, Lay Canon Andrew Khoo who is diocesan chancellor (lawyer) for West Malaysia and the Province of SE Asia.
He was awarded for his work on the Anglican Communion's pandemic response including throughthe Plobal Covid-19 Task Force.
He has had close links with Lichfield Diocese since 2008 and worked closely with former Bishop of Lichfield, Rt Revd Jonathan Gledhill, in the House of Lords on the right of Christians to use the generic word for 'God', Allah, in Malaysian bibles and elsewhere (as reported at the time in Spotlight, p10)
On hearing the news, the current Bishop of Lichfield, Rt Revd Dr Michael, the current Bishop of Lichfield said:
The award of the Cross of St Augustine to Canon Andrew Khoo is wonderful news, and fitting recognition of his leading role in thinking through and equipping Anglicans and others in responding to the pandemic. Andrew’s pivotal role in the Diocese of West Malaysia has been a great encouragement to us in Lichfield, and I hope and pray that his wisdom will continue to inform the deep friendship between our dioceses.
The full citation reads:
The Lay Canon Andrew Khoo LLB AKC – The Cross of St Augustine for Services to the Anglican Communion For outstanding service to support the Communion’s pandemic response, including through the Global Covid-19 Task Force
Canon Andrew Khoo has given outstanding service to the Anglican Communion during the pandemic, playing a leading role in the Covid-19 Global Task Force convened by the Anglican Alliance. This Task Force met 1- 2 times a month throughout the pandemic, sharing learning across the Communion, identifying the emerging issues, and shaping a collective response. The Global Task Force supported the Anglican family of churches and agencies as they each respond in their own context to this public health crisis, with its related social and economic impacts, especially in the most vulnerable communities. This collaborative work built on international technical expertise, including Canon Andrew’s own professional expertise as a lawyer and human rights advocate based in Malaysia.
As part of the Global Task Force, Canon Andrew helped to shape the global strategic response, which helped to sustain connections, share learning, promote mutual prayer and build solidarity and hope.
With his human rights focus, Canon Andrew quickly identified that the pandemic was uncovering and exacerbating inequalities within and between countries and gave close scrutiny to the emerging justice issues. He brought wisdom and experience from the East Asia perspective, and from his role as Chancellor of the Diocese of West Malaysia. He highlighted the specific vulnerabilities of marginalised groups, especially migrants, during the pandemic and identified how the Church could respond, both practically and through advocacy. Canon Andrew also served on many working groups throughout the pandemic, developing resources, including a Bible study series. He also contributed to a range of online consultations on issues ranging from global vaccine equity, frameworks for a global pandemic response, and advocacy on safe migration at this challenging time
photos: Alex Baker / Lambeth Palace