HONG KONG (SE): In Spes non Confundit [hope does not disappoint] the bull of indiction for the Jubilee Year, the late Pope Francis called upon the faithful to bring hope to brothers and sisters enduring hardship, particularly migrants.
Responding to this appeal, nearly 200 people gathered at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Tsing Yi, on April 27 to learn more about the plight of migrants and refugees in Hong Kong, at a talk organised by the Preparatory Committee for the Jubilee Year.
That same day, a statue, Sheltering, created by renowned artist, Timothy Schmalz, was blessed by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, symbolising the Church’s call to care for the poor and marginalised.
Canossian Sister Catherine Fung, a member of the Preparatory Committee for the Celebration of the Ordinary Jubilee 2025 and the 80th Anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, welcomed parishioners from across the city.
She explained that the event was a response to Pope Francis’ exhortation in Spes non Confundit which says: “Signs of hope should also be present for migrants who leave their homeland in search of a better life for themselves and their families. Their expectations must not be dashed by prejudice and rejection” [Paragraph 13].
Ellis Suen Hon-wah, president of the Hong Kong Central Council of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul—an organisation long dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers—highlighted the alarming rise in displaced persons, noting that global figures had surged from 59 million in 2014 to over 120 million in 2024. In Hong Kong alone, as of December 2024, the International Social Service was caring for 12,361 refugees, while government statistics recorded 13,900 cases, leaving over 1,000 individuals without basic assistance.
Suen also conducted an on-stage interview, behind a screen, with an asylum seeker and father of three. The man shared his gratitude towards the Hong Kong community but spoke candidly of the hardships faced: living on a monthly subsidy of $1,500 per family member severely limited his children’s activities, and the prohibition on employment left his son’s future uncertain. He lamented the lengthy and often discouraging process of seeking resettlement abroad, citing frequent rejections and repeated documentation demands.
Maribel Bautista, a member of the St. Thomas English Community, gave further insight into the challenges faced by foreign domestic workers, from exploitative working conditions and mental health struggles to social isolation. Yet, she said, many find solace and a sense of belonging within the Church, which offers both spiritual and communal support.
Bishop Ha urged the faithful to live with constant gratitude and extend compassion towards those in need. “We must not only look at ourselves but also at the situations of others,” he said. “We are all travellers, and our true home is in heaven; let us be signs of hope in Christ to one another.”
The gathering was followed by a Eucharistic adoration presided over by Bishop Ha in the church chapel.
Blessing of the “Sheltering” sculpture
The Sheltering sculpture depicts a life-sized figure being covered with a blanket by a dove—the symbol of the Holy Spirit. The original piece was blessed by Pope Francis during the World Day of the Poor at the Vatican in 2022 and was later entrusted to the Vincentian Family’s “13 Houses Campaign,” an initiative aimed at raising awareness of the invisible poor and inspiring support for organisations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
During the blessing, Bishop Ha invited the faithful to pray for the homeless and those without a place to call home, urging them to be moved by the Holy Spirit to acts of charity.
Installed at the front of the church building, the statue bears a Chinese translation of St. Vincent de Paul’s appeal to both consecrated persons and the lay faithful: “Leaving God for God”, encouraging them to leave the sanctuary of the Church to serve the poor— a reminder that active charity is itself a profound form of worship.
The Diocese of Hong Kong has commissioned nine sculptures from Schmalz’s Homeless Jesus series for installation in the nine pilgrimage churches designated for the Jubilee Year. Another piece, Be Welcoming, was installed at St Andrew’s Church, Tseung Kwan O, and was blessed by vicar general, Father Peter Choy Wai-man on March 22.
