HONG KONG (SE): Stephen Cardinal Chow, SJ, summarised the fruits of the visit of Bishop Joseph Li Shan from the Diocese of Beijing and other delegates from November 13 to 15, expressing his deep appreciation for the sincere and honest exchange that demonstrated trust and brotherhood.
During an interview given to the diocesan weeklies, Sunday Examiner and Kung Kao Po, on November 18, the bishop of Hong Kong said he plans to visit the Greater Bay Area next year to start further interactions with the Church in China.
Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha, OFM, and vicar general, Father Peter Choy Wai-man, also spoke during the interview.
“I am very pleased and happy about the outcome of the visit… It was really between brothers. As I have said, this is human connection. I would not place a high emphasis on titles, as titles can be a hindrance rather than a help. But we are human beings. We all want to have connections, to be understood and to understand,” Cardinal Stephen said.
“That was a really sincere and honest exchange. I believe that the most significant outcome of that exchange was that we were able to understand one another better.” The cardinal added, “Because of this, we have the confidence to work together sincerely, to plan for a future, a future where we are able to be one family.”
I am very pleased and happy about the outcome of the visit… It was really between brothers. As I have said, this is human connection
Cardinal Stephen
During his three-day trip, Bishop Li visited the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caritas House, Holy Spirit Seminary, Holy Spirit Study Centre and the Diocesan Centre.
The delegation also visited the Catechism Centre, which has been of great interest to Bishop Li. He celebrated a Mass at the Holy Spirit Seminary on November 14 and later at the Minor Altar in the apse of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the last day of his visit.
Although Bishop Li had planned to stay in Hong Kong for five days, the diocese was notified two days before his arrival that his trip had to be shortened due to an important meeting scheduled in Beijing on November 16.
Cardinal Stephen pointed out that the trip was a chance for the two dioceses to learn from each other. Despite its present challenges, he believes that the Beijing Diocese is a rapidly developing church eager to evangelise. He stated, “We Hong Kong people can learn from them how they work under different or changing circumstances, in the direction God leads us through some clues and opportunities given to us.”
The cardinal anticipates more interaction between the Hong Kong diocese and other Chinese dioceses. He plans to visit dioceses in the Greater Bay Area, such as Guangzhou and Shantou, next year, as the southern part of China has a close connection with Hong Kong.
Because of this, we have the confidence to work together sincerely, to plan for a future, a future where we are able to be one family
Cardinal Chow
Laypeople in Hong Kong will also be invited to join the delegation to help exchange views. Different aspects of mutual support will be examined by the dioceses, such as the formation of seminarians. He will also invite the dioceses to pay reciprocal visits.
Also, during their dinner together, Bishop Li invited the seminarians to Beijing for further exchange. The cardinal believes it would benefit the seminarians from the two dioceses to get to know one another.
Furthermore, the cardinal said he told Bishop Li that his stay was too short this time, and he invited Bishop Li to return more often to have more exchanges with us in Hong Kong.
A theological conference was held at the auditorium of the diocesan centre on the last day of Bishop Li’s trip under the theme of synodality in the Church in China, and discussions were held on the importance of Chinese culture in the Church, the church’s response to the changes in society and its mission to help the marginalised.
Among the participants were Bishop Li, Cardinal Stephen, John Cardinal Tong Hon, Bishop Ha, Father Choy, Father Bruno Lepeu, theological experts in China, and representatives of the Holy Spirit Study Centre.
…the cardinal said he told Bishop Li that his stay was too short this time, and he invited Bishop Li to return more often to have more exchanges with us in Hong Kong
The cardinal said he was impressed by the sincere expression of views at the conference, while discrepancies in views were allowed to exist and respected. “Tension creates vitality. So, when there are different opinions, we should respect each other and move forward based on our common ground. Perhaps in the journey, the problem can be solved in due course,” he said.
Bishop Li Shan’s Hong Kong visit coincided with the third International Conference for Chinese Permanent Deacons from November 13 to 17, which was attended by Archbishop Thomas Chung An-zu of the Archdiocese of Taipei as well as delegates from Taipei and Hsinchu.
A gift of two bottles of sorghum from the Taipei and Hsinchu delegates was shared with the Beijing delegates during the dinners they shared. “Through this token of friendship, we were all able to feel a sense of connection with one another,” the cardinal recalled.
During a Mass celebrated on November 15 at the cathedral with Bishop Li, the cardinal expressed the wish that one day all Chinese bishops, clergy, religious people, and laypeople could pray together in the same place.
Bishop Ha, rector of Holy Spirit Seminary, stated that he was pleased to see that their conversations became more natural and reached deeper aspects as they discussed the seminary situations in Beijing and Hong Kong. He hopes there will be more cooperation in different aspects, such as the formation of laity.
A gift of two bottles of sorghum from the Taipei and Hsinchu delegates was shared with the Beijing delegates during the dinners they shared
Bishop Ha recalled that before the visit, the seminarians were a bit anxious as only a few of them could speak Mandarin well. He was glad the delegates from Beijing did not mind the language problems and showed appreciation for their efforts as the seminarians led them around the seminary. “This is a big encouragement for the younger generation,” the bishop said.
Bishop Ha appreciated the Beijing diocese’s focus on the formation of the clergy, he learned that five priests are currently undergoing post graduate studies in Rome.
He observed that the laypeople were also concerned about the visit of Bishop Li, and many considered the reciprocal visit of the Beijing diocese a proper and natural thing. He urged the faithful to keep praying for the two dioceses and keep communicating with the people from the Church in China.
Father Choy recalled how the Beijing and Hong Kong dioceses had already demonstrated their mutual understanding in the Holy Spirit during their visit to Beijing in April this year when they exchanged Chinese calligraphy with the same message of synodality. He had the same feeling of synodality again during Bishop Li’s brief trip to Hong Kong.
“While visiting our diocese for the first time, Bishop Li was able to observe that many aspects of parish management and social services differ between the dioceses of Beijing and Hong Kong. I believe that we have a lot in common with one another and share the same mission in our respective situations. We all work with great efforts in order to accomplish the same goals,” Father Choy said.
While visiting our diocese for the first time, Bishop Li was able to observe that many aspects of parish management and social services differ between the dioceses of Beijing and Hong Kong.
Father Choy
He added that the interaction should develop in a deeper and broader sense.
Father Choy said the sincere exchange of views at the theological conference at the diocesan centre was a sign of a further development of trust and friendship. “Some of the views would not have been shared in situations without mutual trust or understanding,” he said.
He believes the openness to talk shows that the Church in China is changing in a healthy direction.
He recalled, for example, that on the topic of democracy, there were different views because of the differences in political regimes, but the participants were able to show appreciation and respect for their divergences. “I think this is a good, concrete and visible outcome,” Father Choy said.
He thanked all who took part in the preparation of the visit of Bishop Li to Hong Kong. “Our brothers and sisters made a lot of efforts. I hope together we could give Bishop Li a beautiful experience and a genuine picture of the Hong Kong Church,” he said.
