HONG KONG (SE): Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan, sj. was installed as the ninth bishop of Hong Kong on December 4 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road. In his first message after his ordination and installation, the new bishop expressed his determination to act as a bridge between the Catholic Church and the wider society.
“As the bishop, it is my desire to be a bridge between the government and the Church in Hong Kong, and between the Catholic Church, fellow Christian denominations and other religions. It is through sincere connection with one another, including within our own Diocese, that empathic understanding can be established, appreciation can be fostered, respect and trust can be deepened, and hopefully, collaboration can become a living culture in our community,” Bishop Chow said in his message after the consecration ceremony.
Bishop Emeritus, Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing concelebrated the episcopal consecration which was presided over by bishop emeritus John Cardinal Tong Hon, who served as the apostolic administrator of the diocese for the past three years after the death of Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung on 3 January 2019.
The celebration was attended by Monsignor Javier Herrera Corona, from the Holy See Study Mission, Abbot Paul Kao, abbot of Our Lady of Joy Abbey, Father Stephen Tong Chak-lung, the provincial superior of the Chinese Province of the Jesuits, and priests, religious sisters and faithful, along with representatives of the Protestant and the Orthodox Churches, family and friends, and government authorities, including Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor. Around 550 people attended the ceremony in the cathedral while over 6,000 people witnessed the ceremony live via the Catholic Way’s YouTube channel.
The rite of ordination began with Father John Baptist Tsang Hing-man, a senior member of the diocesan clergy presenting Bishop-elect Chow. The apostolic letter of appointment was read in English by Monsignor Herrera while Father Lawrence Lee, the diocesan chancellor, read its Chinese translation.
In his homily, Cardinal Tong said, “The title of bishop is one of service, not of honour,” as Jesus taught us that greatness is not found in rank or position but in serving. He reminded Chow that he has to proclaim the truth for all people even in adversity with perseverance, and his duty to take care of the flock and manage the Church with the love of God. Father Chow made his promises before the cardinal to fulfil his episcopal duties with faith and determination.
Cardinal Tong and the concelebrating bishops laid hands on the kneeling bishop-elect, followed by the prayer of ordination while two deacons held the Book of the Gospels over the head of the bishop-elect. After anointing the head of the newly-ordained Bishop Chow, Cardinal Tong handed on the gospels, the episcopal ring, mitre and crosier and led him to the cathedra, where he announced him as the Bishop of Hong Kong. The congregation received the new bishop with applause while the concelebrating bishops and Father Stephen Tong Chak-lung greeted him with a fraternal kiss.
Representatives of priests, deacons, religious institutes, the laity and the youth groups approached the newly installed bishop at the altar to express their allegiance and support to the bishop.
After presiding over his first Mass as the Bishop of Hong Kong, Bishop Chow, together with other bishops, paid floral tribute to the first prefect apostolic of the diocese, former bishops who have passed away and the Chinese martyrs.
Bishop Chow’s first address as bishop stressed: “To take up the meaningful role to foster healing and connections in our Church and for our hometown.” He said although he has no detailed plan for his work, he will formulate one after consultation, listening and discernment, as well as amendments according to the changes of time. He believes that it cannot be done in haste.
He also asked for “prayers, generous support and collaboration so that together we can carry out our mission to its blessed fruition, for God’s salvific mission through our Church, for Hong Kong and our neighbours.”
He stressed that the Church needs young people who are the future of the Church. It also needs spiritual life or the Church life will become formulaic. The Church cannot forget the concerns of the poor, the marginalised and the environment either. Maintaining good communications with different Christian Churches to learn from them and to show unity in Christ is essential for the mission of the Church.
Acknowledging messages of felicitation from around the world, Bishop Chow read excerpts from a letter from Jesuit Archbishop Terrence Prendergast, archbishop emeritus of Ottawa-Cornwall, who encouraged him to foster unity through his ministry in the Church. Citing a message received from Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Bishop Chow said, “the Lord does great things, we just have to discern and follow his ways. I entrust myself to your prayers.”
Writing for asianews.it, Father Sergio Ticozzi from the Pontifical Foreign Mission Society [PIME] said, “… his main aim will be to listen to everyone: fostering unity in the Church will be his main task. Having much experience in the field of education and formation, he is committed to listening in particular to the new generations and to understanding their expectations. Moreover, in a
cosmopolitan city like Hong Kong, and given his experience in different countries, Bishop Chow aims to foster exchanges between different peoples and cultures for mutual enrichment.”
Reverend Po Kam-cheong, the deputy secretary general of the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China, told the Sunday Examiner that he was happy for the Catholic Church to have a new bishop. He hopes that he will be blessed and used by God to make the Catholic Church even stronger. He also said he was particularly happy when he heard that the bishop said he will seek more chances to communicate with other Christian Churches.
Father Joseph Liu Ah-lun, parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Shaukiwan, and spiritual director of the Hong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity, said he was delighted to witness the new bishop installed.
He was particularly impressed that Bishop Chow was eager to listen to different voices to discern the direction of the Church. He hopes the new bishop can listen to the voices of the laity to understand their concerns and journey with them.
Father Martin Ip Po-lam, parish priest of St. Benedict’s Church, Shatin, said he could see that Bishop Chow is eager to reach out and communicate with different parties.
He is particularly impressed by the video posted on the Catholic Way’s YouTube channel in which the bishop said he appreciated the non-Chinese speaking Church community for their faith. He hopes that the new bishop will visit the parishes to meet the people.
Anselm Lam Wing-kwan, director at Centre for Catholic Studies and the bishop’s friend of 30-years, told the Sunday Examiner that he hopes the bishop can rely on God wholeheartedly and lead Hong Kong to face the trials.
