HONG KONG (SE): The Diocese of Hong Kong marked the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 with the formal opening of its 80th anniversary year, launching a diocesan-wide invitation for the faithful to journey together in a synodal Church. The celebration gathered bishops from various dioceses, clergy, religious, and ecumenical leaders for a solemn concelebrated Eucharist presided over by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J.
Among the distinguished concelebrants were Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, archbishop of Tokyo; Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen, Germany; Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose, the US; Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang of Macau; and Bishop Peter Chao Yung-chi, auxiliary bishop of Taipei.
The cardinal highlighted the gathering of bishops as a testament to the Church’s shared faith. “It’s important that we show the world that our faith is a faith of communion and unity as we come together, not a faith of divisiveness,” he said. He added that this visible unity demonstrates to Hong Kong and the world that coming together in faith is not only possible but is already alive and present.
The Mass was concelebrated by John Cardinal Tong Hon, Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha, and 110 priests.
Leaders of various Christian denominations in Hong Kong joined the gathering, including Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming, Bishop Timothy Kwok Chi-pei and Bishop Matthias Clement Tze-wo Der of the Anglican Church; Metropolitan Nektarios of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia; and Father Dawoud Hanna of the Coptic Church.
It’s important that we show the world that our faith is a faith of communion and unity as we come together, not a faith of divisiveness
Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J.
Distinguished government officials in attendance included former chief executive, Donald Tsang Yam-kuen; secretary for the Civil Service, Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan; and secretary for Development, Bernadette Linn Hon-ho.
The liturgy also marked the 185th anniversary of evangelisation in Hong Kong. The Catholic community evolved from an Apostolic Prefecture in 1841 to an Apostolic Vicariate in 1874, and finally into a diocese in 1946 when Pope Pius XII established the ecclesiastical hierarchy in China. Bishop Enrico Pascal Valtorta, became the first bishop of Hong Kong.
The occasion also honoured significant anniversaries in the local Church, recognising 14 priests who are celebrating 60, 50, or 25 years of dedicated priestly ministry, as well as 25 women religious commemorating 75, 70, 60, 50, or 25 years since their religious profession [see page 6].
Special remembrance was offered to Jubilarians Fransican Father Efren Ojeda, and Canossian Sister Virginia Ip Wai-yin, who passed away this year.
In his homily, Cardinal Stephen contrasted the disobedience of Adam and Eve with the humble obedience of Mary, the “new Eve.” He noted that while humanity’s first parents allowed pride to lead them into blame and avoidance, Mary accepted the immense and perplexing mission entrusted to her with trust and humility.
In this way, our diocese can effectively serve as a local Church alongside the people of Hong Kong and act as a bridge Church for the universal Church
Cardinal Stephen
Reflecting on the mission of synodality to be carried out locally, the cardinal outlined a “three-fold conversion” through conversation in the Spirit: greater accountability, transparency and evaluation. He also stressed the importance of strengthening bonds with other Christian denominations.
Delivering part of his message in Mandarin, he reminded the faithful that Christians are blessed to have been chosen before creation to live through Christ and inherit God’s kingdom. He urged them to prioritise eternal life and cherish every opportunity to respond to God’s invitation.
Speaking in Cantonese, the cardinal emphasised that the Church is not only the leadership but all its members. Like Mary, the faithful are co-workers in God’s mission, called to bring the hope of the gospel into the lives of others, trusting in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He encouraged everyone to learn to communicate in the Holy Spirit, who helps the community to walk, learn and discern together. “In this way, our diocese can effectively serve as a local Church alongside the people of Hong Kong and act as a bridge Church for the universal Church,” he said.
Maryknoll Sister Susan Glass, who proclaimed the first reading and celebrated her 60th anniversary of religious profession, expressed joy in her vocation, affirming that she had made the right choice when she entered the convent at the age of 21.
The heart of mission is to acknowledge the love and lessons received from all those I encountered
Sister Helen Leung Wai-hung
Sister Helen Leung Wai-hung of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, celebrating her 50 years as a religious, proclaimed the second reading during the Mass. Sharing her missionary experiences in Kenya, Ethiopia and Italy, she later shared with the Sunday Examiner that the heart of mission is to acknowledge the love and lessons received from all those she encountered. She expressed delight at reconnecting with former youth group members, including two who became nuns and Bishop Ha.
At the conclusion of the Mass, the cardinal presented the newly designed emblem of the Diocese of Hong Kong—a winning entry from an earlier design competition featuring a pair of blue hands symbolising prayer and peace.
Before bestowing the Apostolic Blessing, along with a plenary indulgence from the Apostolic See, Cardinal Stephen led the congregation in reciting the prayer for the 80th anniversary of the Diocese of Hong Kong, uniting the community of faithful in gratitude and hope.
