HONG KONG (SE): Christians joined to prayer for world peace at a Taizé prayer gathering orginised by the Catholic Diocese Ecumenical Commission and the Hong Kong Christian Council at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, on October 17.
The service was organised in response to Pope Francis’ appeal to pray for world peace as well as that of the newly-elevated Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the name of the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land, for Catholics around the world to make October 17 a day of fasting and prayer for peace as the conflict between Israel and the militant Hamas group in Gaza, continues after the the latter group conducted attacks into southern Israel on October 7.
At the start of the gathering, Reverend Ip Tze-leung of the Hong Kong Christian Council said the ecumencial service was meant to unite Christians in the face of this trial as Jesus ensures us of his presence when two or three are gathered in his name [Matthew 18:20].
Sister Anna Marie Cheung, SPC, reminded those present that we should not lose hope in the face of war and death.
Let us feel the passionate desire to pray even more intensely. Let’s turn to God wholeheartedly together. That’s the only way we can get our strength back. Let’s face this difficult time together with simple and peaceful prayers,
Sister Anna Marie Cheung
“Let us feel the passionate desire to pray even more intensely. Let’s turn to God wholeheartedly together. That’s the only way we can get our strength back. Let’s face this difficult time together with simple and peaceful prayers,” she said.
Elder Simon Fung Siu-hung of Hong Kong Christian Council shared that there are many issues that upset people in different countries of the world these days: the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the war between Russia and Ukraine, the recent earthquakes in Afghanistan and Morocco, the flooding in Libya, etc.
“We hope that we can join hands to pray for peace. It is a chance for the two denominations to pray for the same purpose. … For wars and for disasters, we pray for God’s mercy so that they can pass, so that the souls of the victims and their families can be comforted. As Christians, we should respond to our anxieties with prayers,” he said.
The prayer service started with the Nicene Creed, the common confession of faith of Christians.
Reverend Eden Fletcher of the Methodist International Church, who had returned from Israel the week before, spoke of his confusion when he arrived in the country the day when the war broke out. He was told that it will be safer to go to northern Israel and he then felt a bit of peace in Galilee in the midst of war as he reflected upon the Bible.
He shared his sadness at seeing refugees gathering in the crowded hotel speaking about their sons joining the war and family members killed in streets. He believes it took time to understand and recover from the painful experiences. “We must pray for peace in our own hearts and, not only that… we need to live our lives in peace too,” he said.
We hope that we can join hands to pray for peace. It is a chance for the two denominations to pray for the same purpose. … For wars and for disasters, we pray for God’s mercy so that they can pass, so that the souls of the victims and their families can be comforted. As Christians, we should respond to our anxieties with prayers
Simon Fung
Attim Leung Lai-fun of the Focolare Movement then shared that two days prevous, she heard from the Holy Family Church in Gaza that there were still around 1,000 Christians there who are increasingly hard to reach. She also shared a Focolare members’ message from Gaza thanking people for their prayers and saying that faith and prayer have given her strength not to yield to evil and have hope.
She quoted Palestinian Margaret Karram, president of Focolare movement who was at the Synod of Bishops on Synodality, who shared that while media was dominated by news on the violence, hatred and terrorism, there is some news which is important but neglected, such as a worldwide interreligious prayer network for peace. She also shared about a Jewish friend’s worry about the people in Gaza, showing a longing for peace from the hearts of Palestinian and Israeli people.
The young people of the Focolare Movement, together with the association, Living Peace, launched an appeal to pray together for peace at noon, every day in every time zone.
At the end of the prayer service, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing and Anglican Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming led prayers for peace, after which they knelt before the Taizé cross in front of the candle-lit altar as hymns were sung.
The over 300 participants then lined up and prayed while touching the cross.
The meeting ended with a benediction led by Bishop Ha and Archbishop Chan.
Angel Chan, a Catholic participant said it was hard to overcome the hard feelings within her seeing the victims of war, unless through humble prayer. She came an hour before the meeting praying the rosary. She has faith that God will hear prayers as people gathered, and said she would surrender her anxieties to him.
