Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., Bishop of Hong Kong, made his first visit to the Diocese of Essen in early February, strengthening ties with this sister diocese and gaining firsthand insights into its mission. He was particularly impressed by the diocese’s commitment to stepping beyond church walls and sharing intimately the lives with local communities.
“In 2023, during the Synod of Bishops in Rome, I met Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen for the first time as fellow participants,” Cardinal Stephen remarked. “However, it had been some time since there was a direct exchange between our dioceses. This visit allowed me to personally experience Essen. Since Hong Kong and Essen are sister dioceses, we should foster a closer connection.”
The six-day visit began on February 4. On the first day, Cardinal Stephen met with Bishop Overbeck, toured the Essen Cathedral in the afternoon, and accompanied by a priest responsible for urban outreach in frigid temperatures to visit various service sites. In the evening, he concelebrated Mass at the cathedral with Bishop Overbeck.
The second day included meetings with Caritas staff to understand their work and visits to a daytime shelter for the homeless co-sponsored with another Christian denomination, and a shared activity space for underprivileged families by the Catholic Church.
However, it had been some time since there was a direct exchange between our dioceses. This visit allowed me to personally experience Essen. Since Hong Kong and Essen are sister dioceses, we should foster a closer connection
Cardinal Stephen
One of the key takeaways for Cardinal Stephen was Essen’s proactive approach to community engagement. For instance, during the city’s Light Festival last October, the diocese opened its cathedral for its own light show to integrate faith into the public celebration.
“Sometimes, the Church remains too separate from the world or merely focuses on social services,” Cardinal Stephen observed. “However, we can also enter into people’s daily lives, mingle with them, and manifest faith through our presence. We should consider participating in social events and festivals as well.”
Another notable aspect was Essen’s strong emphasis on Christian unity. As part of its urban outreach ministry, the cathedral clergy regularly collaborate with the local Lutheran Church, hosting cultural seminars at a Lutheran-run restaurant to attract public participation. They also organise an ecumenical blessing ceremony on Valentine’s Day and set up street booths to listen to city residents’ sharing.
“In Hong Kong, could we actively explore establishing sustaining relationships with different Christian denominations and launch long-term collaborative projects?” Cardinal Stephen reflected.
During his visit, Cardinal Stephen had extended discussions with Bishop Overbeck and gained insights into the challenges Europe faces, including the rise of far-right ideologies.
Sometimes, the Church remains too separate from the world or merely focuses on social service. However, we can also enter into people’s daily lives, mingle with them, and manifest faith through our presence. We should consider participating in social events and festivals as well
Cardinal Stephen
He also noted that some Essen parishioners questioned why their diocese, which is experiencing financial challenges, continues to support overseas churches. “But this is about living out our faith, like the biblical story of the poor widow who gave all she had. Even in times of scarcity, we must share with one another,” he said.
He also emphasised the potential for deeper youth exchanges between Hong Kong and Essen.
Over the past decades, Essen has welcomed many migrants and refugees from Eurasia, while Hong Kong has also seen an influx of migrant workers and asylum seekers. The Diocese of Hong Kong is consulting an international Church organisation to develop projects aimed at better serving these communities.
On February 6, Cardinal Stephen visited two Catholic aid organisations in Aachen—Missio and Misereor—to express gratitude for their longstanding support for Hong Kong and to strengthen their ties. The leaders of these organisations expressed keen interest in gaining a deeper understanding of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong and Mainland China.
On February 7, during a visit to Cologne, Cardinal Stephen met with Rainer Maria Cardinal Woelki and the official overseeing the archdiocese’s global Church relations.
Over the past decades, Essen has welcomed many migrants and refugees from Eurasia, while Hong Kong has also seen an influx of migrant workers and asylum seekers
“Cologne is an important archdiocese in both Germany and the universal Church. They are eager to learn more about the Church in China,” he shared. “I also conveyed my understanding and experiences of the Church in Mainland China, hoping this would foster mutual understanding.”
He noted that many German dioceses have dedicated personnel for coordinating international Church relations, a model worth considering.
On February 8, the day before departing Essen, Cardinal Stephen visited Father Christian Becker—who had previously served in Hong Kong—at St. Michael’s Church, where he is now the parish priest.
In the afternoon, he toured St. Barbara’s Church, which provides charity services for the underprivileged, including a community tea house, food and clothing distribution, and a small library for children, all held inside the church, and other support programs.
The church is currently managed by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, including Father John Thomas David, who had also served in Hong Kong.
That evening, Cardinal Stephen concelebrated Mass and shared a meal with newly appointed Auxiliary Bishop Andreas Geßmann.
Reflecting on his visit, Cardinal Stephen expressed deep gratitude for the warm hospitality of the Diocese of Essen and the valuable exchanges he had experienced.
