HONG KONG (SE): In a significant pastoral journey embodying the spirit of synodality and international collaboration, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, visited Japan and South Korea in June, engaging Church leaders, educators, and lay Catholics in meaningful dialogue and partnerships.
The trip aimed to enhance ecclesial, educational, and youth-related cooperation across Asia, reflecting the Church’s growing emphasis on walking together in communion and mission.
Strengthening ecclesial ties with Tokyo
Cardinal Stephen’s trip began in Tokyo, Japan, on June 5, where he was warmly received by Tarcisio Isao Cardinal Kikuchi of Tokyo and president of Caritas Internationalis. Their meeting emphasised the shared vision of building a synodal Church, attentive to the spiritual and social needs of young people, and hymnal exchange for the Jubilee Year.
They recognised the importance of supporting youth formation through cross-cultural initiatives in an increasingly secular society.
On June 6, Cardinal Stephen visited a youth formation centre in Tokyo, where he met with Auxiliary Bishop Andrea Lembo and various pastoral workers involved in evangelising the young. The visit provided an opportunity for mutual exchange about the challenges and hopes surrounding youth ministry in Hong Kong and Tokyo.
The centre aims for a comprehensive approach to fostering the spiritual, emotional, and intellectual development of young people. This is also the focus of the Church in Hong Kong, which is dedicated to supporting similar initiatives and possibilities of partnership with Japanese dioceses needs to be explored.
Cardinal Stephen presenting calligraphy scroll in support of synodality to Archbishop Peter Chung of Seoul.
Cardinal Stephen with Cardinal Kikuchi in Tokyo.
Meeting chancellor of Korean Missionary Society, Father Sung Kyu Lee.
Cardinal Stephen with the staff and the clergy at Daegu Catholic University.
Visiting youth formation centre in Tokyo and Auxiliary Bishop Andrea Lembo.
A fruitful encounter in Daegu
Following the Tokyo leg, Cardinal Stephen arrived in Daegu, South Korea, on June 9, for a three-day visit that would deepen the ties between the Catholic communities of Daegu and Hong Kong.
The official visit began on June 10 with an orientation session hosted by Archbishop Thaddeus Cho Hwan-kil, Auxiliary Bishop John Bosco Jang, and diocesan representatives.
The cardinal was introduced to the history, structure, and pastoral priorities of the Archdiocese of Daegu, one of South Korea’s oldest and very vibrant Catholic communities. Both sides discussed concrete steps for collaboration, particularly in the areas of hymnal exchange for the Jubilee Year, youth outreach, academic exchange, and media communications.
Cardinal Stephen then concelebrated Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes, a significant site of devotion in the region. Following Mass, he toured several diocesan institutions, including the Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation, Catholic Times, St. Justin’s Seminary, and the Gwandeokjeong Martyrs’ Memorial Centre, which honours the legacy of Korean Catholic martyrs.
A key moment was the cardinal’s visit to Daegu Catholic University on June 11, which is the largest Catholic university in South Korea and serves more than 16,000 students. The international department of the university showed a keen interest in collaborating with Hong Kong’s Saint Francis University, where the acting president, Professor Lo Tit-wing, has made regional cooperation with other Catholic institutions in Asia a top priority.
Notably, the visit included a discussion with Chinese-speaking staff in the university’s international exchange department, pointing to a shared vision of expanding opportunities for Chinese students in Catholic higher education.
A key moment was the cardinal’s visit to Daegu Catholic University on June 11, which is the largest Catholic university in South Korea and serves more than 16,000 students. The international department of the university showed a keen interest in collaborating with Hong Kong’s Saint Francis Universit
Cardinal Stephen noted that the Diocese of Daegu is well-positioned to contribute to Hong Kong’s ongoing interfaith and youth exchange programmes. A secondary school choir from the diocese is already scheduled to visit Hong Kong for the hymnal exchange in early December as part of such an initiative.
“These cultural and spiritual exchanges are seeds of communion,” the cardinal observed, “and much fruit will grow from our friendship.”
From June 12 to 13, Cardinal Stephen continued his visit in Seoul, where he met with Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung at the bishop’s residence, following a private Mass in the chapel.
Their conversation focused on a shared desire to enhance pastoral care for students and support for parents, especially in light of increasing numbers of Chinese-speaking students studying in Korea.
Cardinal Stephen expressed particular interest in the Archdiocese of Seoul’s volunteer programmes for language assistance and translation for 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world.
The cardinal and the archbishop also explored opportunities for academic and ecclesial collaboration, particularly between the Catholic University of Korea and Saint Francis University in Hong Kong.
Cardinal Stephen expressed particular interest in the Archdiocese of Seoul’s volunteer programmes for language assistance and translation for 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of pilgrims from around the world
Cardinal Stephen emphasised how this academic vision aligns with Professor Lo’s goal of establishing Saint Francis University as a centred for partnerships in Catholic education across Asia.
As part of his stay in Seoul, Cardinal Stephen also made a pilgrimage to the Seosomun Martyrs Shrine, a hallowed site commemorating the sacrifice of 44 Korean martyrs who died for their faith during periods of persecution.
The cardinal paused in prayer, giving thanks for their witness, which he said continues to inspire the Church across Asia.
Gratitude to the Korean Missionary Society
Cardinal Stephen also met with Father Sung Kyu Lee, chancellor of the Korean Missionary Society. Founded with a global missionary spirit, the congregation currently has 75 missionaries serving in various parts of the world, including Hong Kong. Cardinal Stephen expressed deep appreciation for the society’s generosity in mission, particularly the priests assigned to the Diocese of Hong Kong who are actively engaged in pastoral and educational ministries.
“The Korean missionaries in Hong Kong are a living witness of the universal Church’s unity and outreach,” the cardinal said. “Their presence strengthens our faith and reminds us that evangelisation is always a shared responsibility.”
The Korean missionaries in Hong Kong are a living witness of the universal Church’s unity and outreach
Cardinal Stephen’s pastoral journey to Korea and Japan was a lived expression of fraternity and shared mission, building bridges of understanding and encourage mutual learning among Catholic communities across East Asia.
Throughout the visit, the themes of youth formation, synodality, intercultural exchange, and missionary collaboration emerged consistently. In each diocese, the cardinal invited local partners to walk together with the Church in Hong Kong in responding to today’s spiritual and societal challenges.
As the Church in Asia prepares for major events like World Youth Day 2027 and continues to discern its path in the synodal journey called for by the late Pope Francis, such encounters become all the more vital. We are not isolated islands. The Spirit is guiding us to connect, to listen, and to walk with one another. This journey to Korea and Japan was a journey of faith and friendship.
