This is the sixth in a series of articles covering the origin and development of the Diocesan Justice and Peace Commission since its inception
HONG KONG (SE): “The reason for redefining the objectives of the Justice and Peace Commission is to give due recognition to the quality and dignity of human life, so that the commission, by a deeper and wider involvement in social concern, may bear more fruit in helping people to be aware of God’s loving care for our human family, and the need for people to respect and care for others as brothers and sisters,” said Bishop Stephen Chow Sau Yan SJ. The commission will be renamed the “Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development” at the end of this year, and, with broadened objectives, it will bear witness to the gospel in a spirit of self-renewal and dialogue.
Over the past few years, Pope Francis has actively advocated the idea of integral human development, in order that the Christian faith may be more responsive to justice, peace and social needs today.
Bishop Chow explained that it was this development that made the commission realise the need to renew itself by adopting a new modus agendi [manner of operating] to cope with social changes.
“Pope Francis is committed to dialogue with different sectors of society on the basis of the principles brought forward in his encyclical, Fratelli tutti [All Brothers]. He is ready to talk to people from all walks of life. This is a reminder that the local Churches must engage in dialogue with different groups in society, since they are all components of a diversified society, the bishop explained.
“We should identify our commonalities and seek common grounds, while respecting differences,” he added.
The reason for redefining the objectives of the Justice and Peace Commission is to give due recognition to the quality and dignity of human life, so that the commission, by a deeper and wider involvement in social concern, may bear more fruit in helping people to be aware of God’s loving care for our human family, and the need for people to respect and care for others as brothers and sisters
Bishop Chow
Bishop Chow said that in the future, the commission would continue to put into practice the social teaching of the Church in promoting justice, peace and the common good, but in a way which is different from the past, that is, from the perspective of integral human development.
The commission has sometimes been labelled a “pressure group” or a watchdog over the government. “I don’t think that being a pressure group is the indispensable or the unique role of the commission; rather, it is a body at the service of society, in the light of Christian faith and the gospel,” Bishop Chow said.
“God is Love, eternal Life. This being so, how can we Christians bring love to the world? How can we inspire the government and concerned organisations to cherish life and love?” Bishop Chow asked.
It is his conviction that the Church should open herself to society in a spirit of dialogue. She should communicate and cooperate with different organisations, listening to them with more empathy and coming to a deeper understanding of what they think, in order to enrich her own views and insights.
The Church should not be self-enclosed, only keeping contact with the people it has been working with, but should instead, treat Church members and people outside the Church as equals, engaging in earnest dialogue with them.
God is Love, eternal Life. This being so, how can we Christians bring love to the world? How can we inspire the government and concerned organisations to cherish life and love?
The bishop went on to explain that dialogue means that both sides are willing to find common ground, while retaining their own viewpoints. “There are many people who commit themselves to working for Hong Kong. It is just that they have chosen different paths. It is only through mutual communication that we can understand one another,” he added.
Bishop Chow encouraged the commission to adopt a more open mindset in making a discernment on current social issues, so as to respond to them in a more balanced and objective manner. He noted that as social problems are becoming increasingly complex, they can no longer be tackled by one or two social groups alone.
Instead, the Church as a member of society, must learn to open herself up in communicating and cooperating with other social groups.
The commission has to attend to livelihood issues, whether they concern the elderly or the young people.
“Some young people have a grim outlook on the future of Hong Kong. They do not trust that adults will take environmental protection seriously, Bishop Chow noted.
“Moreover, in recent years there have been problems of the elderly being left behind [due to of family members settling down abroad], and the deterioration of their mental health is a cause for much concern. The suicide rate among the elderly is high, and the pandemic has made them feel lost… Therefore, the commission has to adopt a more holistic approach in dealing with social issues,” the bishop explained.
What is most important is ‘to change one’s mindset, to communicate with different groups, to understand one other and to provide objective information
As for the future development of the commission, the bishop envisions that it can work more closely with organisations in the diocese in carrying out some projects, for example, projects for young people or for the elderly, so that “synergy can be achieved and creativity can be enhanced.” What is most important is “to change one’s mindset, to communicate with different groups, to understand one other and to provide objective information.”
Bishop Chow re-affirmed the need for the Church to live up to its prophetic role. This is what the commission has been doing for many years.
“Prophets have different images, and their missions do not simply follow one or two patterns… The commission can continue to keep an eye on the government’s initiatives and, if they are good, give them credit, but if they have room for improvement, it can speak out and give the government some advice, the bishop said.
“This does not mean that the commission is exerting pressure on the government, rather, the commission is acting as its partner. The Church must be ready to listen to the voices of the outside world, but if we just stand on the moral high ground and do not reach out to the public, we won’t get a positive response,” the bishop said, adding, “It is necessary for the commission to adapt to a new modus agendi, to discern its new direction and to keep an ongoing self-reflection as a Church organisation.”
Bishop Chow reiterated the support of the diocese for transformation of the commission. “Before we nurture the faithful, we ourselves must be full of hope and make the necessary preparations, and we must believe that this change will leave more room and more freedom for the commission to carry out its mission, and enable it to bear more fruits in its service,” he said.
