HONG KONG (SE/KKP): Vicar general, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, said that working with Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ, has helped him learn more about the diocese. He said the duties have broadened his horizons and helped him look at parish work with a fresh eye.
Father Chan told the Kung Kao Po in an interview published on May 29, that he believes pastoral care for the elderly is essential in a parish. “As Hong Kong is ageing, the elderly are an important resource for the Church, and we need to consider how to help them support the parish more carefully. It is a pity that the pandemic has set some limits on their lives. However, parishes can still think about how to give formation to the elderly,” Father Chan said.
Before assuming duties as a vicar general on December 12 last year for a five-year term, Father Chan was the parish priest of St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Tsing Yi.
Father Chan recalled that one of his duties in parish ministry was to help parishioners with their family problems. Ten years ago, he took a course on family reconstruction and learned about family counselling, which made him more confident in handling such situations.
There are various reasons for a family dispute, and one of them is an old and unresolved issue of a spouse’s family of origin, which may be brought to the new family, causing disharmony
He had to deal with problems of intergenerational and interpersonal relationships or disputes and relieve the stress and conflicts between family members.
“There are various reasons for a family dispute, and one of them is an old and unresolved issue of a spouse’s family of origin, which may be brought to the new family, causing disharmony,” he said.
At present, Father Chan is responsible for coordinating the pastoral work of the Diocesan Pastoral Commission for Marriage and the Family. He is also responsible for parish issues in Kowloon.
His years of experience in dealing with parishioners’ family issues now help him manage the challenges among parishes, a family of families. He attends to the issues of parishes and diocesan personnel, encouraging mutual learning between them.
Father Chan said that dealing with staff arrangements is challenging because he must spend more time understanding the background information, which must be kept confidential. From time to time, he needs to use counselling skills to facilitate communication.
Thanks to his mentors in parishes who shared their wisdom and experiences with him, he was able to learn skills
At the same time, Father Chan helps young parish priests transition smoothly into their new pastoral environment.
“When young priests first serve a parish, they may be energetic and enthusiastic when they start. If young priests, in their initial enthusiasm, fail to consider the prevailing traditions and existing rules of the parish and deal with some personnel arrangements as they begin serving a parish, they could run into trouble. I might need to share my experiences with young priests when they encounter these situations,” he said.
Thanks to his mentors in parishes who shared their wisdom and experiences with him, he was able to learn skills. He recalls their assistance that helped him understand that, while a priest allows laypeople to serve freely in the parish, he must also journey with them and share their successes and failures without abandoning them.
Father Chan is also the chairperson of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission. During his service in Tsing Yi, he actively participated in the Ecumenical Commission’s activities by organising joint activities with other faiths.
He recalled how, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, he volunteered to visit hospital wards to administer the sacraments to those afflicted with the disease. The experience helped him better understand the difficulties of priests during hospital visitations
“I had already established a friendship with Protestant pastors many years ago when they were still theology students and had regular gatherings,” Father Chan said.
He also coordinates the work of the Diocesan Commission for Hospital Pastoral Care and Hospital Chaplaincies. Given the Covid-19 pandemic, he wants to help the parish priests overcome their difficulties with hospital visitations.
“When priests encounter difficulties visiting patients in the hospital, I contact the Hospital Authority to communicate with them and clarify the arrangements. We understand that the hospital staff are ‘at war’, and their sole aim is to protect the patients from infection. But sometimes, they may forget that a priest is authorised to administer the sacraments in the ward. We need to support and encourage each other,” he said.
He recalled how, during the SARS outbreak in 2003, he volunteered to visit hospital wards to administer the sacraments to those afflicted with the disease. The experience helped him better understand the difficulties of priests during hospital visitations.
He hopes that through liaison work, the hospital staff and chaplains can work together to care for patients’ physical and spiritual needs.
Father Chan shared that he is happy to do his duties as a vicar general, but he still misses the parish life that he likes, particularly the smiling faces of children, which give him much joy.
