THE CURTAIN IS coming down on 2019. The end of one year and the beginning of the next are a naturally reflective time. If you come to the end of a year and are still alive, then you haven’t had a bad year. If you are still within the family of faith, then you have had a good year, irrespective of personal sickness, social unrest, political turmoil or any other tragedy.
The Church in Hong Kong began the year on a sad note with the unexpected demise of Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung on January 3. He was loved by people across society for his concern for the needy. During his 17 months in office as bishop and prior to that as the head of Caritas for over a decade, care for the least, the last and the lost was the guideline for his ministry. Behind his tough demeanour, the faithful cherished the simplicity of a pastor.
The Holy See appointed retired bishop, John Cardinal Tong Hon, as the apostolic administrator, while the See has remained vacant for the past 11 months and the wait for a new bishop continues.
For Hong Kong, it has been a year of social and political unrest. The Fugitive Offenders and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2019 that would have allowed for criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China, Taiwan and other jurisdictions with which Hong Kong has no extradition agreement, has dominated the daily lives of Hongkongers for the entire second half of 2019.
People from all walks of life and age groups cried foul and, four months later, the government conceded to the public outcry. But it was too long a time and tested the patience of agitated protesters, resulting in violence and sporadic clashes between them and the police.
Political views and affiliations set aside, it has been a trying time for parents, teachers, pastors and more importantly, for police personnel and their families. Many parents were left helpless as large numbers of students from schools and universities across the city took to the streets in open confrontation with government forces.
The government blames the protesters for resorting to violence and arson, and termed protests as riots. The protesters blame the government for initiating the chaos and using the police to suppress the protests. Escalation of the blame game and violence from either side distorted the city and campuses into war-zones.
As the government refuses to relent on the “five demands” and the protesters refuse to give up easily, the question is what lies in Hong Kong’s future. There is no easy answer in sight as 2019 fades away. Is there a way out from this spiralling of woes for this city which is home to around eight million enterprising, ambitious, peace loving and largely well mannered people?
The year 2020 dawns with new hopes and new promises. Pope Francis in his message for the World Day of Peace called for openness to dialogue, commitment to forgiveness and an ecological conversion.
“Democracy can be an important paradigm for the peace process, provided that it is “grounded in justice and a commitment to protect the rights of every person, especially the weak and marginalised.”
With gratitude in our hearts and asking God for providence and protection for the coming year, we enter the New Year on the right note. Sunday Examiner wishes all our readers a grace-filled New Year 2020! jose
