HONG KONG (SE): “I can feel that Catholics in the UK treasure their faith, are eager to seek the Lord, and have become closer to the unchanging God in the face of the challenges of the ever-changing and difficult migrant environment. All these have given me a lot of inspirations and encouragement in my faith!” Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing of Hong Kong told the Sunday Examiner on July 31.
Bishop Ha went on a July 19 to 29 pastoral visit covering 11 regions of the United Kingdom. The visit aimed to engage Hong Kong migrants living in England, promote a sense of community and offer spiritual support.
Bishop Ha’s 10-day trip was packed with events. He spent a day in Manchester on July 20, followed by visits to Liverpool and Birmingham on July 21. His itinerary also included a two-day stay in Nottingham from July 22 to 23, two days in Cambridge from July 23 to 24, a day each in Milton Keynes, East London, Bristol, West London, Kent, and finally, in Reading on July 29.
The bishop celebrated Masses, gave spiritual talks and joined gatherings, offering opportunities for prayer, reflection, and fellowship. He also heard confession, which most Chinese migrants prefer to receive in their mother tongue.
Arriving in Manchester on July 19, Bishop Ha met with local Catholic leaders, including Bishop John Arnold of Salford and Bishop Mark Davies of Shrewsbury. He also toured the Laudato Si’ Centre which showcses the Diocese of Salford’s commitment to environmental care.
On July 20 in Manchester, the bishop addressed a gathering of over 130 people from the region as well as northern England, Glasgow, and Ireland as he delivered a talk on discipleship outlining five key characteristics of a disciple of Christ.
During his two-day stay in Cambridge, Bishop Ha celebrated Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs on July 23, the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden, the patron saint of Europe
Following the talk, Bishop Ha celebrated a Mass that drew over 300 participants. In his homily, he stressed the importance of resting and surrendering to God’s guidance to reconnect with our spiritual origins. The day concluded with a dinner for Chinese Catholics, where the offered a final blessing.
In Birmingham on July 21, he delivered a talk titled “The Amazing God”, emphasising that the Lord is present in the daily trials of migrants, which they may not have noticed at times of anxiety.
During his two-day stay in Cambridge, Bishop Ha celebrated Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption and the English Martyrs on July 23, the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden, the patron saint of Europe. Approximately 120 people attended. Referring to the day’s gospel reading that spoke about how the branches of a true vine will bear fruit [John 15:1-8], the bishop urged the members of the community to spread the gospel in the UK in line with the message from the gospel reading.
The bishop also visited King’s College with Hong Kong migrants. The group, including people from Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Bedford, gathered near the commemorative stone dedicated to the Chinese poet Xu Zhimo. While the migrants were delighted to see him, the bishop told them that the pastoral visit had enriched him as well.
During the Mass with the Hong Kong migrants in East London on July 25, Bishop Ha challenged the congregation to embrace humility and service, referring to the gospel’s message that greatness is found in serving others. He further encouraged them to embody this spirit by evangelising and sharing their faith in their new environment.
The bishop expressed his appreciation for the positive involvement of new Hong Kong migrants in the UK in local parishes, as well as the formation of their own support groups to provide pastoral care and assistance to fellow Chinese communities across the country
The bishop expressed his appreciation for the positive involvement of new Hong Kong migrants in the UK in local parishes, as well as the formation of their own support groups to provide pastoral care and assistance to fellow Chinese communities across the country, as they have demonstrated their willingness to integrate and contribute to their new surroundings in this manner.
Angelina Tsui, a member of the coordination group which organsed the trip, said that the communities in different regions were supportive, making the planning of the journey smooth as members contacted churches and determined the bishop’s itinerary.
A member of the Nottingham community, Tsui mentioned that Bishop Ha’s visit has drawn a number of Cantonese-speaking believers who had previously not been actively involved in church activities due to language barriers or distance.
They were thankful for the chance to interact with the bishop and their community.
Father Bruno Lepeu, who was tasked with helping migrant communities in the UK on behalf of the Diocese of Hong Kong, provided significant assistance by managing logistical aspects and coordinating with Bishop Ha.
