HONG KONG (SE): Seven parishes across Hong Kong held Masses and prayer services to mark the 31st anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown on June 4. The observances were organised by the Union of Hong Kong Catholic Organisations to commemorate the incident in which thousands of lives were lost and to pray for China and Hong Kong.
That same night, thousands of people flooded into Victoria Park, Causeway Bay, for a candlelight vigil to mark the anniversary of the crackdown, braving a first-ever ban on the annual mass gathering imposed by the police who cited Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) public gathering and social distancing restrictions.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the Mass celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing at the Holy Cross Church, Sai Wan Ho. People were accommodated in the church, the parish hall and the church compound while observing social distancing measures.
Bishop Ha, quoting from the gospel reading that day, “Love your neighbour as yourself, there is no commandment greater than these,” (Mark 12:31), said this is the reason why people marked the anniversary of the crackdown every year.
“We are here to mourn the students and residents of Beijing who sacrificed their lives that year. May they have peace in heaven. May they be vindicated on earth,” the bishop said.
He said the demand to vindicate the Tiananmen Square protests and the disclosure of truth may not seem practical for some people. “However, our faith told us that the most practical idea is to follow the will of God, which is to love God and love others. Human beings are created and loved by God so the value of mankind is far more important than any policies… We are here to pray for ourselves too, because we may have less freedom to express ourselves in the future,” the bishop said. He urged people to pray for courage to love God and love others in whatever situations.
On the same day, the Legislative Council passed a law criminalising disrespect for the national anthem. On May 28, the National People’s Congress had approved plans for national security legislation for Hong Kong that prohibits activities that endanger national security.
Father Lawrence Liu Ah-lun, parish priest of Holy Redeemer Church, Tuen Mun, said that Hong Kong is the only place on the Chinese soil where people can openly mourn the victims of the crackdown and it may seem that a symbol was lost as people were not allowed to gather in Victoria Park this year.
“But it does not matter whether we can go to Victoria Park or not. Where we mark the anniversary is not important. The symbol does not lie in a place outside. It is in our hearts and our lives,” Father Liu said in his homily.
“The symbol is a fire in our hearts to pursue democracy, freedom, rule of law and human rights no matter where we go,” he added.
Masses at other parishes, including St. Francis of Assisi Church, Shek Kip Mei, celebrated by Father Benedict Lam Cho-ming; Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church, Tsuen Wan celebrated by Father Ignatius Lo King-ip; St. Andrew’s Church, Hang Hau, by Father Jacob Kwok Wai-ki; St. Bonaventure Church, Tsz Wan Shan, by Father Carlos Cheung Sam-yui; St. Benedict’s Church, Shatin, by parish priest Father Martin Ip Po-lam, were all full to capacity.
The day before, an online talk and prayer meeting was organised by the group as well.
Chan Ching-wa, a university student in 1989 who went to Beijing to support the protests in Tiananmen Square, recalled that the students at that time had high hopes for democracy in China, as the Chinese government showed signs of accepting an open society and seemed lenient with protesters. But at the end their dream was shattered as they saw their friends being brutally shot and lying in pools of blood.
During the meeting, Bishop Ha stressed that prayers are important in the present political situation because “prayers remind us that God is with us, so that we can have hope and courage.”
