HONG KONG (SE/KKP): During a film screening on August 20, prior to the Season of Creation which runs from September 1 to October 4, Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow Sau Yan, sj, the bishop of Hong Kong, encouraged Catholics not to abandon their efforts to protect the environment despite various challenges. During the annual ecumenical celebration of prayer and action for our common home, the commission conducted the film screening as the first in a series of activities.
More than 100 consecrated and lay people attended the screening of the movie, The Letter, organised by the Diocesan Commission for Integral Human Development with Caritas Community Center – Kowloon at the Cartias Community Hall, Caine Road.
The documentary was released in 2022 and is based on Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato Si: On care for our common home, in which he invites five brothers and sisters affected by climate change to the Vatican for a reunion.
“Although some scientists say that the problem of climate change cannot be reversed, if we have faith and believe that history is in the hands of God, we must have the confidence to participate in the work of salvation… to fulfil our ethical responsibilities, to change our habits, to co-operate in solidarity and interdependence, and to work wonders—because God, who amazes us, always surprises us,” Cardinal-elect Chow said at the screening.
During the sharing session, Bishop Chow pointed out that older generations need to think deeply about how they can accompany young people in the slow recovery of the planet. “When we form friendships and share the same destiny, we will share the responsibilities even in the face of adversity,” he said.
Two more screenings of the movie are scheduled by the commission, in cooperation with Catholic Care for Creation, for September 2 and September 17. Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing will be the invited speaker at the first one at the Catholic Diocese Centre, while Father Stephan Chan Mun-hung will share his views at the second one at St. John the Baptist parish, Kwun Tong.
Bishop Ha urged people to actively participate in the activities of the Season of Creation to demonstrate their concern for the environment and accelerating climate change in a video message posted on the commission’s website at the end of August.
According to Cythia Pon, from the environmental concern group of St. John the Baptist parish, the screening and sharing of the film lines up with the group’s mission to promote Christian appreciation of our common home and to live out the message of environmental protection through love, as outlined in the encyclical Laudato Si. “We hope to do our best to help promote the message of eco-crisis among lay people,” she said. She said group members are thankful that many of its activities bring together young and old to appreciate and learn about God’s beloved and created world.
Set up since 2016, the group has organised eco-spiritual outings, movie screenings, and activities to promote waste recycling and sharing. They organised a visit to the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change at The Chinese University of Hong Kong in August. The group also promotes the concepts of eco-caring and consumer justice in the parish newsletter and Facebook to spread the message that “environmental protection is love”.
Although some scientists say that the problem of climate change cannot be reversed, if we have faith and believe that history is in the hands of God, we must have the confidence to participate in the work of salvation…
Bishop Chow
Law Pui-shan, executive secretary of the commission, told the Sunday Examiner that lay people have become increasingly aware of environmental issues and have actively participated in the parish environmental protection groups. Nevertheless, she noted that Church environmental groups differ from those of civil society. “Our eco-friendly actions is based on our faith. Our actions were not solely designed to save money and to benefit future generations. We respect our nature out of love,” she noted.
She believes Hong Kongers should be more aware of the threat of climate change, despite the fact that it does not have a very significant impact on their lives. As she explained, hot days may only bring about more frequent use of air conditioning by more affluent people, but marginalised groups, such as those living in subdivided flats or cleaning workers, are more vulnerable to the harmful effects of high temperatures.
“In Hong Kong, people are less sensitive to climate issues, but it does not mean the issues do not exist. That is why, through the activities organised during the Season of Creation, we would like to remind people that there are already many pressing issues related to the environment and our lives due to climate change,” she said. She reminded that Hong Kong was lashed by Super Typhoon Mangkhut in 2018, and warned that the city is among a list of of those vulnerable to sea level rise.
At the end of September, a retreat will be held at the Precious Blood Retreat House in Lung Yeuk Tau, Fanling, with a spiritual conversation that encourages people to rebuild their relationship with God and with others. The retreat will conclude with a Mass celebrated by Bishop Ha.
Before the retreat, there are two warm-up gatherings. An arts and spirituality workshop is being hosted by Franciscan Brother William Ng Wei-lit, and a talk will focus on how traditional Hakka culture makes good use of natural resources rather than exploiting them. Staff members of Caritas will conduct the latter programme in Lung Yeuk Tau and instruct participants on how to prepare daily necessities using herbs.
