HONG KONG (SE): The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 kicked off with an ecumenical communion service at All Saints’ Cathedral of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui [Anglican] in Mong Kok on January 18. The annual event is celebrated around the world from 18 to 25 January.
In his message for the occasion, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., urged Christians across denominations to put aside their fears and doubts as they pursue God’s mission of healing through the path of ecumenism.
Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming of the Anglican Church, officiated the service, which was attended by members of the clergy and faithful from the Catholic and Anglican Churches as well as other denominations.
The Hong Kong Christian Council, the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia, and the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission jointly organised the service in Mongkok. The worship session was facilitated by Anglican Reverend Billy Ip Tsz-leung.
Later in the week, ecumenical prayer meetings were held at St. John’s Cathedral, Garden Road, Central, on January 20, and at St. Mary’s Church, Hung Hom, for the English-speaking community, on January 23. The theme for the week of prayer this year was: “You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbour as yourself…” [Luke 10:27], from the parable of the Good Samaritan.
The pope said that the Church should be a healing station on the battlefield of our lives. It should not be a court of law, first of all, judging whether people are wrong or not
Cardinal Stephen
The theme was selected by the Pontifical Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, the World Council of Churches, and the Christian Churches in Burkina Faso, coordinated by the community of Chemin Neuf, a French Catholic and ecumenical community.
Attacks by local Islamic militants in Burkina Faso have resulted in thousands of deaths, and churches there have rallied to organise relief for the victims and have continued to call for peace and reconciliation.
A joint statement was released by the groups, inviting Christians from all denominations to think about how we can help our neighbours in Hong Kong and reach beyond the limitations or boundaries they set for themselves, especially in the post-pandemic environment where people are even more isolated, and many still having trouble making ends meet.
Cardinal Stephen cited St. Augustine’s allegorical interpretation of the parable of the Good Samaritan, which says that the Samaritan represents Jesus Christ, who saves the sinful soul, and the inn giving shelter to the victim represents the Church.
“The pope said that the Church should be a healing station on the battlefield of our lives. It should not be a court of law, first of all, judging whether people are wrong or not,” the cardinal said. He continued, “Within our own Church and between Churches, there are wounds of varying degrees and sizes that need to be disinfected and cured” He urged Christians to stop doubting, comparing with or attacking one another. Medicine to heal includes interactions, exchange, cooperation and the sharing of resources.
A joint statement was released by the groups, inviting Christians from all denominations to think about how we can help our neighbours in Hong Kong and reach beyond the limitations or boundaries they set for themselves…
He hopes that one day he can officiate the ecumenical service at the altar together with other pastors of the Protestant Church, which he cannot do at present due to the lack of a common liturgy.
Cardinal Stephen said that promoting healing is by no means easy, as it involves conflicts between different principles. One example is that the pope’s recent approval of the blessing of sexual minorities to help with their healing has been misunderstood as recognition of same-sex marriage in the Church.
“Respect and an open attitude, listening with empathy, and a discernment through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who may speak through our brothers and sisters, are all important in the path of ecumenism. So that we will know how we can go on. We have to show our brothers and sisters that there is progress in our path to ecumenism, and it is developing… we have a determination to go further,” the cardinal said.
The cardinal expressed his understanding that fear and worries of losing identity or image or traditions in the development may appear, and urged people not to be affected by such emotions as they make discernments.
“Ecumenicism in the Church in itself is a mission, so let us express the glory of God … so that our brothers and sisters and people in the world can see and experience the truth, kindness, beauty and love of God and that the God we believe in is true,” he urged.
Respect and an open attitude, listening with empathy, and a discernment through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who may speak through our brothers and sisters, are all important in the path of ecumenism
Cardinal Stephen
The service continued with participants reciting the Nicene Creed together. Representatives from different denominations then led prayers for ecumenism, resolving conflicts, fear, violence, weakness, and indifference that prevent us from helping our neighbours.
This January, the cardinal and other Catholic and Anglican bishops have gathered in Rome and Canterbury for an ecumenical summit.
Archbishop Chan told the Sunday Examiner that he appreciates the theme and Cardinal Stephen’s message. “It reminds us of the importance of healing. We can have wounds from being divided, so in the path of ecumenism, we need mutual support to heal,” he said.
Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, chairperson of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, said it was the first time he joined the communion service of the Protestant Churches in Hong Kong. He found that the Anglican liturgy is very close to that of the Catholic Church except for certain differences in wordings. He could therefore see further opportunities for ecumenism. “We all believe in the same Jesus Christ, and in the same sacrament, and received blessings and graces together. So even though we cannot receive the communion today, we can feel the unity as we pray,” he said.
It reminds us of the importance of healing. We can have wounds from being divided, so in the path of ecumenism, we need mutual support to heal
Archbishop Chan
According to him, the third ecumenical pilgrimage to Rome is scheduled for May. Cardinal Stephen, leaders of different denominations, and representatives from different communities will join. The first one was held in 2017, and the second in 2018.
Alan Ho of the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia, pointed out that the Orthodox Church has been supporting ecumenism and is one of the early members of the Hong Kong Christian Council. He opbserved that there has been longtime mutual support between the Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church, and in the aspect of doctrines, there are a lot of similarities between both Churches, so he believes there are big opportunities for further cooperation.
The service was attended by around 300 people including priests, religious sisters as well as representatives from different Christian organisations. At the end of the service, Simon Fung Siu-hung, honorary general secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council, expressed gratitude to the 30 different denominations and church groups attending the ecumenical communion service.
According to Fung, the ecumenical pilgrimage to Rome in May will involve more participation from the younger generation of Protestant Church leaders. Also, in October, an ecumenical worship will be held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Hong Kong Christian Council.
