Gary Koo
Gary Siew Leong Koo[2] (born 1968)[1] is an Australian Anglican bishop who, since 20 December 2019, has served as an assistant bishop in the Anglican Diocese of Sydney, becoming the third Bishop of the Western Region.[3][4]
Gary Koo | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of the Western Region | |
| Church | Anglican Church of Australia |
| Province | Province of New South Wales |
| Diocese | Diocese of Sydney |
| Installed | 20 December 2019 |
| Predecessor | Ivan Lee |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 2006 (as deacon) 2013 (as presbyter)[1] |
| Consecration | 20 December 2019 by Glenn Davies |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Gary Siew Leong Koo |
| Born | 1968 (age 52–53) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Denomination | Anglicanism |
| Spouse | Pearl |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of New South Wales (medicine) Moore Theological College (theology) |
Early life, education and parish ministry
Koo was born in 1968 in Sydney, as the son of two Malaysian migrants. He was educated at James Ruse Agricultural High School[5] and then studied medicine at the University of New South Wales.[6] Koo was brought up as an atheist, but the death of his mother while he was training as a doctor at University caused him to reassess his views and he converted to Christianity.[7]
After graduating from university, Koo worked as a doctor for a time.[7] He then decided to study theology at Moore Theological College.[3] and was ordained deacon in 2006 and priest (presbyter) in 2013.[6]
Koo served as a pastor and church planter for the Chinese Christian Church Sydney. He later was appointed as a minister within the Anglican Diocese of Sydney at St Paul’s Carlingford and North Rocks, where he was eventually made rector, a position which he held for seven years prior to his appointment to the episcopate.[6] He served as acting rector at Berala from 2013 to 2015.[1]
Episcopal ministry
In November 2019, Koo was appointed as Bishop of the Western Region in the Sydney Diocese, a role which involves overseeing congregations in the Blue Mountains, Hills District, Hawkesbury, and Parramatta areas.[8] He replaced Bishop Ivan Lee, who was the first Anglican bishop in Australia to have a Chinese ethnic background and who moved at that time into a new episcopal role strengthening church growth.[9][3] Koo was consecrated bishop in St John's Cathedral, Parramatta by Archbishop Glenn Davies on 20 December 2019.[3]
As assistant bishop, Koo has chaired the Diocese's COVID-19 taskforce throughout 2020.[10]
Personal life
Koo is married to Pearl and has two children.[6]
References
- "ARCHBISHOP GLENN DAVIES APPOINTS A NEW BISHOP FOR THE WESTERN REGION OF SYDNEY" (PDF). Anglicans Together Newsletter (70). December 2019. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- "Assistant Bishops of the Diocese of Sydney". Sydney Diocesan Archives. Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- "A new Bishop for the West". Sydney Anglicans: Gateway to the Anglican Church in Sydney. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
- Powell, Russell (20 January 2019). "Bishop gets warm welcome in the West". sydneyanglicans.net. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
- Koo, Gary. "Gary Koo: Senior Minister at Crossway Anglican Churches". LinkedIn. Retrieved 19 January 2020.
- "Gary Koo: Bishop of Western Region". Sydney Anglicans. Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- "Testimonials: Gary Koo". Moore Theological College. Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- Halcrow, Jeremy (30 June 2010). "Archbishop announces final mission areas". Sydney Anglicans. Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
- "Chinese-Australian appointed next Anglican Bishop of Western Sydney". Sydney Anglicans. 19 November 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
- Powell, Russell (2 July 2020). "Are we there yet?". Sydney Anglicans. Anglican Diocese of Sydney. Retrieved 10 January 2021.