HONG KONG (SE): John Cardinal Tong Hon, apostolic administrator of Hong Kong reminded the priests and deacons of the diocese to “always bear in mind the sacred nature of a homily while preaching weekday and Sunday Masses”, in a Fraternal Admonition issued on August 28.
Quoting the Homiletic Directory promulgated by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2014, the cardinal pointed out that the homily itself “is an act of worship.” The purpose of the homily is not only to sanctify the people, but to glorify God.
Noting the recent trend of priests and deacons using the pulpit to express their personal views on socio-political issues, the cardinal said the homily is not meant to convey personal views, but should help the congregation to acquire a deeper understanding of the Christian life.
He further added that both pastors and the faithful have a prophetic role to play—speaking out for justice and peace in defence of the poor, the needy and the socially marginalised.
Cardinal Tong denounced the language of hatred as un-Christian and called on the clergy to refrain from abusive and provoking expressions. “However, slandering and offensive expressions insinuating or instigating hatred and social disorder are un-Christian and inappropriate for the liturgy. A church and its sanctuary are sacred places where the faithful come to encounter God,” he wrote.
Quoting Pope Francis, the cardinal called on the preachers to grow in “the conviction that it is God who seeks to reach out to others through the preacher and that he displays his power through human words.” (Evangelii Gaudium [The Joy of the Gospel], 136)
In the first part of his letter, Cardinal Tong expressed his gratitude towards healthcare workers for their sacrifices day and night in combating the deadly Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).
He called on the members of the clergy not to be passive, but to take initiative in sharing God’s love. “Love has a language all its own, and it is not the language of the lips alone,” the cardinal wrote.
