HONG KONG (SE): People from different walks of life mourned the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who died on New Year’s Eve at age 95. Pope Benedict made history in 2013 when he became the first pope to resign in almost 600 years instead of serving for the rest of his life
Religious and lay people in Hong Kong mourned his loss at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, which was open to the public for them to express condolences on January 2, 3 and 4. Bishop Chow Sau Yan, SJ, while answering the media outside the cathedral on January 2, expressed his respect for the late pope emeritus for his courage in handling Church problems and his contributions as a leading theologian.
Bishop Chow explained that he was informed of Pope Benedict XVI’s illness in Rome in September, while Pope Francis had invited the faithful around the world to pray for his health on 28 December 2022, so the news of his death was not surprising. He said that the Church mourns the loss of a respected shepherd and recalled the late Pope Benedict XVI as a pope who showed courage by resigning when he did.
“He had the courage to resign. I know some people in the Church did not support his resignation, but he did it for the good of the Church. He did not insist on staying in that position. This is something that deserves my respect,” Bishop Chow said.
He expressed his admiration for this prominent theologian of modern times who had strong principles but also was able to make timely adjustments to fast-paced changes in the world. “The Church is a journeying one, so it is impossible for us to achieve perfection, but we can reflect on our shortcomings and make improvements,” the bishop said.
He had the courage to resign. I know some people in the Church did not support his resignation, but he did it for the good of the Church. He did not insist on staying in that position. This is something that deserves my respect
Bishop Chow
The bishop admired the late pope for his courage in strictly handling sex harassment cases and corruption in the Church. His first encyclical in 2006, Deus Caritas Est [God is love], reflected on the love of God for humankind. The late pope also expressed his sadness for the victims of Auschwitz and Birkenau in Poland, during his historic visit to the former Nazi death camps as a German pope in 2006.
Bishop Chow and vicar general, Father Paul Kam Po-wai, were among the first to sign the condolence book in front of the cathedral’s main altar, expressing their love and respect for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Father Kam said, “The pope returned to the Lord peacefully after making tremendous contributions to the Church.” He is grateful for his teaching and guidance all these years.
He recalled that he had the chance to concelebrate Mass with the late pope and other priests from around the world at three World Youth Days in 2005, 2008 and 2011, and was touched by his care and concern for young people. He felt particularly inspired when the late pope told young people that the more they know Jesus, the more they know themselves in the World Youth Day message of 2011 under the theme, Rooted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the Faith (Colossians, 2:7).
Father Lawrence Lee Len, the diocesan chancellor, who also paid his respects at the cathedral, expressed gratitude for the contributions of the late pope to preserving the doctrines and the truth. His choice of the name “Benedict” illustrated his desire to maintain contemplative prayer traditions in Europe despite secular challenges.
[Father Kam] recalled that he had the chance to concelebrate Mass with the late pope and other priests from around the world at three World Youth Days in 2005, 2008 and 2011, and was touched by his care and concern for young people
Father Lee believes the last words of Pope Benedict: “Lord, I love you,” summarised his life as a faithful servant of God who lived according to God’s will and was a worthy example for the faithful to follow.
Father Dominique Mukonda Kananga said that Pope Benedict is a gift from God to the Church. He observed that the pope was a great pastor, thinker, writer and theologian. He expressed his faith and ideas so clearly that people realised God was the centre of their lives. He said the books authored by the late pope are part of his spiritual life as a priest.
As the news of the pope’s illness and death was breaking, he happened to be reading one of his books, Credo for Today, written in 2009, explaining the relationship between the Creed and our daily lives, which he believes is refreshing for a Christian mind. He brought the book with him as he prayed for the late pope in the cathedral on January 2.
Albert Chan King-tat, one of the laity who came to sign the condolence book, recalled that he met the late pope in Rome during the consecration ceremony of Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-fai in 2011. He and his wife, a theology student of the archbishop, gave the offertory in traditional costumes. He remembered the pope’s gentleness shown in a brief gathering with people taking part in the ordination ceremony in a small room later. “The pope saw us and said, ‘So you are from China’,” he recounted.
Janet Ng recalled seeing the pope at World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008. Even after 10 years, she still recalls the excitement everyone felt when Pope Benedict XVI landed in a helicopter. “I knew he was very fragile and ill, so his passing wasn’t a huge shock for me, but his remarkable faith and love for God shall be remembered forever in my heart and inspire me to continue to pursue my faith and spread God’s love,” she said.
A requiem Mass for the late Pope was celebrated at the cathedral at 6:00 pm on January 4.
