“Basil Temenqgong was the first Sarawakian and the first Iban to be made Bishop in the Anglican Church.”Born on 11 October 1918 at Pasa, an Iban longhouse about a mile down river from Betong, Basil Temenggong was fortunate to be able to obtain an early education in the mission school of St. Augustine’s in Betong. He excelled in his academic performance and gained most of the prizes, including the coveted Scripture prize. Even at his young age, he already showed a liking for the things of God – busying himself attending to the chores of the Church. His classmates dubbed him as the ‘small priest’.After completing standard 6, the highest available education in Betong in those days, Basil continued his education at St. Thomas’ School in Kuching. He completed the Junior Cambridge, the highest academic qualification available in the town. He returned to teach in Betong, and shortly after this he came to realise his true vocation. He responded favourably to God’s call and offered himself for the Sacred Ministry.Thus in 1939, Basil was sent to Calcutta for his theological training at Bishop’s College, a college where a number of expatriate priests had been trained before. On 16 November 1941, he was ordained deacon by Bishop Tarafdar in Calcutta and was licensed to serve as Assistant Chaplain in St. Thomas’ Cathedral, Calcutta. On 11 April 1943, he was ordained to the priesthood by the Bishop of Calcutta. He was then posted to Asansol, and because of the wartime condition, very often he found himself ministering to allied soldiers massing at the border, waiting for a final push against the Japanese. |
On his return from India in 1946, Basil was posted to Betong to look after the parish. He later became headmaster of his former school, St. Augustine’s, while at the same time continuing to assist in the pastoral ministry of the Church. Basil was transferred to Kuching in 1954.
In 1954, Basil was sent to England where he did a year post-Ordiantion course at St. Augustine’s College, Canterbury. He also spent time with the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, and also at the Parish of All Saints in London. On his return from England, Basil was posted to Saratok to look after that large rural parish. Being a tireless traveler, he visited all corners of the parish and even opened areas like Plassu in the Nyabor. He was made Canon in 1960, and Archdeacon in 1962. He was priest in charge of St Luke’s from 1965 to 1968.
When Nicholas Allenby resigned on 31 October 1968, Basil Temenggong was the unanimous choice to replace him. So on 6 December 1968, Basil Temenggong was consecrated bishop, and two days later was enthroned at the Cathedral as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching.
During his tenure of office, he served as the Chairman of Churches of East Asia from 1979 to 1983. He was an active participant and a great advocate of the Partners-in-Mission. He was a staunch supporter of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, and served as one of its vice-presidents from 1981 to 1982. In 1983, he was protem Chairman of the then proposed Association of Churches in Sarawak, and as its Chairman after its registration hi August 1984.
He was conferred the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS), which carries the title ‘Datuk’, by. the Governor of Sarawak in recognition of his service not only to the Church but to the country as well.
Bishop Basil served at a time when the Church in Borneo was trying to stand on her own feet and to develop a truly Asian ministry brought by the political changes accompanying Independence within Malaysia. His foresight, able leadership and quiet diplomacy steered the Church safely through this difficult transitory period. He was always a dedicated worker for Christ, and despite his heart’s condition, he laboured tirelessly in discharging his episcopal duties. It was in the midst of performing a confirmation service at Simunjan on 22 September 1983 that his poor heart beat for the last time. His death was instantaneous.
Basil Temenggong was the first Sarawakian and the first Iban to be made Bishop in the Anglican Church, and his 16 years in the episcopacy was the longest so far in the Diocese. He was also the first bishop of the Diocese to die in office.
On his return from India in 1946, Basil was posted to Betong to look after the parish. He later became headmaster of his former school, St. Augustine’s, while at the same time continuing to assist in the pastoral ministry of the Church. Basil was transferred to Kuching in 1954.
In 1954, Basil was sent to England where he did a year post-Ordiantion course at St. Augustine’s College, Canterbury. He also spent time with the Community of the Resurrection at Mirfield, and also at the Parish of All Saints in London. On his return from England, Basil was posted to Saratok to look after that large rural parish. Being a tireless traveler, he visited all corners of the parish and even opened areas like Plassu in the Nyabor. He was made Canon in 1960, and Archdeacon in 1962. He was priest in charge of St Luke’s from 1965 to 1968.
When Nicholas Allenby resigned on 31 October 1968, Basil Temenggong was the unanimous choice to replace him. So on 6 December 1968, Basil Temenggong was consecrated bishop, and two days later was enthroned at the Cathedral as the tenth Bishop of the Diocese of Kuching.
During his tenure of office, he served as the Chairman of Churches of East Asia from 1979 to 1983. He was an active participant and a great advocate of the Partners-in-Mission. He was a staunch supporter of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, and served as one of its vice-presidents from 1981 to 1982. In 1983, he was protem Chairman of the then proposed Association of Churches in Sarawak, and as its Chairman after its registration hi August 1984.
He was conferred the Panglima Negara Bintang Sarawak (PNBS), which carries the title ‘Datuk’, by. the Governor of Sarawak in recognition of his service not only to the Church but to the country as well.
Bishop Basil served at a time when the Church in Borneo was trying to stand on her own feet and to develop a truly Asian ministry brought by the political changes accompanying Independence within Malaysia. His foresight, able leadership and quiet diplomacy steered the Church safely through this difficult transitory period. He was always a dedicated worker for Christ, and despite his heart’s condition, he laboured tirelessly in discharging his episcopal duties. It was in the midst of performing a confirmation service at Simunjan on 22 September 1983 that his poor heart beat for the last time. His death was instantaneous.
Basil Temenggong was the first Sarawakian and the first Iban to be made Bishop in the Anglican Church, and his 16 years in the episcopacy was the longest so far in the Diocese. He was also the first bishop of the Diocese to die in office. |