HONG KONG (SE): Permanent deacons have been serving the Diocese of Hong Kong for the past 25 years, and this year, the diocese is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the introduction of the ministry of the permanent diaconate. A Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, on August 28 to mark the occasion.
Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, chairperson of the Diocesan Commission for the Permanent Diaconate, presided over the Mass, concelebrated by Father Joseph Tan Leitao, Father Christopher Chor and Father Giorgio Pasini. Over 20 currently serving permanent deacons assisted at the liturgy.
The permanent diaconate in Hong Kong was initiated 30 years ago by the late John Baptist Cardinal Wu Cheng-chung. At that time, Cardinal Wu intended to promote “new evangelisation” through the role of permanent deacons serving the needy in society.
The then Auxiliary Bishop John Tong Hon and Coadjutor Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun assisted the cardinal in the ordination of the first two permanent deacons in 1997, the late Deacon Karl Tsang Fan-hing and Deacon Peter Lo Woo-lui.
According to Father Chan, 20 per cent of priests interviewed in 1992, before the ministry’s launch, supported the introduction of permanent deacons. Over 80 per cent of lay respondents also favoured the proposal because there was a shortage of priests in the diocese. Twenty-five years later, another survey by the Chinese University of Hong Kong calculated the percentage of priests who support the role of permanent deacons had increased from 20 to 80 per cent, while that of lay people accounted for 96 per cent.
Father Chan said that 30 years ago, many Church people did not know what role a permanent deacon could perform and had reservations. In his remarks, he expressed his appreciation of the first batch of permanent deacons who, although were under pressure, remained committed to their work in the Church until their later years of illness.
While Cardinal Wu contemplated introducing the ministry into the diocese, Father Chan explained that Deacons Tsang and Deacon Lo, along with late Deacon Joseph Sung Wan-lung, had jointly written to the cardinal in 1991 and expressed their interest in becoming permanent deacons. Deacon Lo wrote a four-page letter expressing his dedication to serving the Church with the support of his wife in April 1997.
Father Chan recalled that Deacon Lo was later dedicated to prison visitations and formed visitation groups. In his later years, even though he had suffered from stroke, he served with joy until he passed away.
In addition, Father Chan expressed his gratitude to Deacon Tsang, who he noted was a good witness to God through his hospital visits, service in Tuen Mun parish, encouragement of aspirants and candidates, and faith in God before his illness.
In this gratifying moment today, while remembering the total commitment of our brothers, let’s bear in mind three things: Jesus, simple life, and the poor,
Father Dominic Chan
“So their promises in their application letters for being permanent deacons and making scarifices with a joyful heart for the Church were not empty. They lived it out to glorify God until their last breath, with the support of their wives,” Father Chan said.
“In this gratifying moment today, while remembering the total commitment of our brothers, let’s bear in mind three things: Jesus, simple life, and the poor,” said Father Chan. He called on the over 20 permanent deacons present to let people know Jesus through the Word of God and connect them with the Lord; to lead a simple life and spend more time helping others; to pay attention to the poor and the needy, and give timely support.
A total of 37 deacons were ordained in the past 30 years. Five have retired, and five have passed away. Three are now serving overseas. At present, 23 permanent deacons are serving in Hong Kong. Among them, four were ordained in June this year. There are at present 17 candidates and three aspirants. One of the aspirants is a Sri Lankan who can understand spoken Chinese.
Father Chan told the Sunday Examiner that the deacons had a specific role to perform, particularly serving the needy in society. Hence, the initiation of permanent diaconate was not related to the shortage of priests.
He said he was grateful that there had been consistent applications to become aspirants. “It shows the good examples of the predecessors, whose contributions and services have inspired others to follow,” he said.
The first deacon, St. Stephen, was chosen for his vigorous faith in proclaiming the Good News and serving the orphans and widows in the early Church [Acts 6:1-7]. The Second Vatican Council in 1963 called for the restoration of the diaconate as a permanent level of Holy Orders.
The role of permanent deacons is to assist bishops and parish priests in working for the “three pillars of the diaconate: word, liturgy and charity.” Apart from assisting at Masses, they are sent to render pastoral services in hospitals, jails, schools, the airport chaplaincy, ministry in harbour and marriage, and charity works in society. They have to serve as the servant of Christ, who works humbly for the marginalised in society.
People who believe they have the vocation to be a permanent deacons will have to be interviewed to see if their character and intentions are suited to the ministry. Later, he and his wife will be interviewed together to see if his wife and family will support his vocation. And a third interview will discern the need for further counselling.
After passing through this process, the person will be recommended to the bishop to become an aspirant for permanent deacon. An aspirant must go through spiritual, theological, and pastoral training before becoming a candidate.
