HONG KONG (SE): A delegation from Hong Kong, consisting of over 40 people and led by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, will join delegates from around the world in Singapore to welcome Pope Francis during his visit to the country from September 11 to 13.
The pope is scheduled to embark on an apostolic visit to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore from September 2 to 13. The journey will mark the pope’s longest-ever trip since he was elected in 2013. The theme for to this visit is “Faith – Fraternity – Compassion.”
The Hong Kong delegation began enlisting participants through Facebook on July 9, and the allocation was completed the following morning. Almost 70 individuals registered, and the diocese accommodated participants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Bishop Ha expressed his hope that the upcoming trip would offer the delegates a valuable opportunity to witness the universality of the Catholic Church. “I hope they will be able to appreciate the unity and communion of the universal Church. As the pope comes to Singapore, we have to realise that he is a symbol of the communion of the Church,” he said.
“When we go there, we can see delegations from different dioceses all over the world, especially in Asia, taking part in the apostolic visit. This demonstrates the universal character of the Church and its unity,” the bishop continued.
I hope they will be able to appreciate the unity and communion of the universal Church. As the pope comes to Singapore, we have to realise that he is a symbol of the communion of the Church
Bishop Joseph Ha
“There are few other organisations in the world that can do this, to gather not for entertainment or anything, but for one community, one Lord to praise and give thanks together,” he added.
Bishop Ha said that the diocese decided to visit Singapore over other Asian countries because the Archdiocese of Singapore was the first among the four countries on the Pope Francis’ itinerary to communicate to all the member dioceses of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference [FABC] about the opportunity to organise a group to attend the papal Mass there. Additionally, the Dicoese of Hong Kong was seeking opportunities to participate in the papal visits to the other three Asian nations.
The delegation from Hong Kong is scheduled to leave on September 11. Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., will also depart on the same day but at a different time.
Katie Lai from Duns Scotus Pilgrimages Ltd, which coordinated the trip with the diocese, said that there was a high demand for hotel rooms in Singapore during this period due to the large number of pilgrims. It took a week to confirm the booking for the delegation’s rooms. Later, she had to organise a larger coach as six more people were added to the original group of 40 due to the positive response.
The previous papal trip to Singapore occurred 38 years ago when Pope St. John Paul II visited on 20 November 1986
The Hong Kong delegation will also visit different churches in Singapore, such as the Church of St. Mary of the Angel, St. Peter and Paul Church and the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd.
According to a report from Vatican News on May 8, upon arrival in Singapore on September 11, Pope Francis will receive an official welcome and meet with members of the Society of Jesus.
The next day, the pope is scheduled to take part in a welcome ceremony at Parliament House, meet with Singapor’s president and prime minister, and address officials, civil society, and diplomats at the National University of Singapore. He will wrap up the day by leading a Mass at the Singapore SportsHub National Stadium.
On his final day in Singapore on September 13, the pope will visit elderly and sick individuals at St. Theresa’s Home, meet with young people from various religious backgrounds at the Catholic Junior College, and depart for Rome after a farewell ceremony at the airport.
The previous papal trip to Singapore occurred 38 years ago when Pope St. John Paul II visited on 20 November 1986. In a press statement on April 12, William Cardinal Goh, the archbishop of Singapore, expressed his wish that the pope’s visit will reinvigorate all Catholics in Singapore and foster unity among them.
