Ecumenical Passover brings Anglican and Catholic brethren around the table

Ecumenical Passover brings Anglican and Catholic brethren around the table
Bishop Stephen Chow and Anglican Archbishop Andrew Chan (centre), together with Bishop Joseph Ha and Father Joseph Chan (sixth and third from left) and members of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission during the Passover meal. Photo: supplied

HONG KONG (KKP): The Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission organised a Passover meal at the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Anglican Church, Kowloon, on March 30, fostering their unity through the tradition. 

 Over 200 clergy and lay people from both churches attended. Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ., officiated at the event. 

 Gathering around the table for food and conversation is a traditional and most pleasant form of fellowship and sharing. The Passover meal is a Jewish tradition established by God through Moses when he commanded his people to commemorate his loving-kindness towards them in the Exodus. It is celebrated in honour of Yahweh who passed over the houses of Israel in Egypt and struck Egypt but spared the
Israelites’ house.” (cf. Exodus 12, 27).

Over 200 people from both churches joined. Photo: supplied

 On behalf of the commission, Bishop Matthias Clement Der Tze-wo said the Passover Supper is the beginning of the history of the Lord’s salvation of his people, extending to the salvation history, and can be a point of communication for the unity of Christian churches.

Anglican Church leaders joining the Passover meal included the Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-Ming, as well as Bishop Timothy Kwok Chi-pei of East Kowloon Diocese. Besides Bishop Chow, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, the Catholic representative in the Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, vicar general and chairperson of the Diocesan Christian Ecumenical Commission, and vicar general Father Paul Kam Po-wai were among the Catholic clergy attending the event.

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