HONG KONG (SE): Speaking at a roundtable forum of youth pastoral workers on March 7 at the Greenfield Pastoral Centre, Grand Building in Central, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., emphasised that the key to engaging young people lies in building relationships rather than focusing solely on doctrine or isolated activities. He urged ongoing discernment and responsiveness to a rapidly changing cultural environment in order to sustain youth engagement and passion within the Church.
The forum, initiated by Cardinal Stephen and organised by the Diocesan Youth Commission, brought together over 30 youth pastoral workers from religious institutes, organisations, pious associations, societies in universities and other spiritual associations.
Guadalupe Father Tito López Martin, chairperson of the commission, opened the gathering with a prayer, invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit. Representatives of each community then outlined their respective missions.
Participants later engaged in small-group discussions, reflecting on the challenges faced by young people in Hong Kong and exploring possibilities for collaboration in the conversation of the spirit.
Cardinal Stephen said the presence of diverse youth pastoral workers itself offered a powerful witness to young people. “If we want to bring hope to the young people of Hong Kong, it has to be in the testimony of communion,” he said, adding that structural changes encouraging cooperation may be needed, though these require further discernment.
He highlighted the importance of building bonds within youth groups, noting that young people often connect more readily through companionship than through doctrine alone. “Our young people need to know who Jesus Christ is and the meaning of the gospel. But if we elaborate only on doctrines, it may not speak to them,” he said.
The cardinal also noted that direct theological discussions can sometimes lead to disengagement, particularly amid negative perceptions of the Church. “We need to strengthen relationships among peers to build community and understand their needs from their point of view,” he said.
If we want to bring hope to the young people of Hong Kong, it has to be in the testimony of communion
Cardinal Stephen
Sharing a personal story about the willingness of the son of a friend in Canada to serve as an altar server through the example of his peers, Cardinal Stephen illustrated how even those with negative views of the Church can be positively engaged through community experience.
He further stressed the need for a more coordinated pastoral approach that bridges linguistic and ethnic divides. While English-speaking youth ministries are relatively established, he noted that Mandarin-speaking services are still developing. He also highlighted the need to reach marginalised groups, including those from refugee families and sexual minorities, who may feel excluded.
Among other priorities, Cardinal Stephen pointed to the importance of fostering a closer relationship with ecological concerns. Regarding secular culture, he encouraged the Church to engage with it and imbue it with gospel values rather than oppose it, noting that cultural festivals and popular trends are integral to young people’s lives. At the same time, he cautioned against harmful habits such as alcohol and tobacco use.
Findings from a recent youth study were also presented. In December 2024, the Youth Commission partnered with the Centre for Catholic Studies to assess young people’s perceptions of the Church. Concluding in June 2025, the survey gathered 4,498 valid responses from both Catholics and non-Catholics.
Our young people need to know who Jesus Christ is and the meaning of the gospel. But if we elaborate only on doctrines, it may not speak to them
Cardinal Stephen
The results showed that young people appreciate the Church’s emphasis on love, forgiveness and community support, while concerns remain regarding its focus on liturgy as well as teachings on issues such as sexuality, gender roles and inclusivity. Many respondents expressed a desire for open dialogue on sensitive topics and for the Church to engage contemporary values while remaining faithful to its traditions.
Father Tito said that all ministries originate from God and that leaders are called to serve humbly in collaboration rather than competition. He described the gathering as the beginning of an ongoing effort to strengthen cooperation among youth communities in the diocese.
Initial follow-up steps include creating communication channels, such as a WhatsApp group for leaders to share activities.
In time, this may develop into joint planning and implementation of larger diocesan initiatives, as well as better resource-sharing to support specialised and marginalised ministries.
Having served on the Youth Commission for nine years, Father Tito noted that one of the key challenges is balancing social media engagement with face-to-face encounters, both of which are essential for meaningful connection with young people.
Stephen Anthony Wong, president of the Altar Servers’ Association and a pastoral assistant at the chaplaincy of Saint Francis University, underscored the importance of accompanying young people in their life journeys.
He emphasised the need for support during difficult moments and agreed that greater collaboration among youth groups would help address diverse needs, improve resource distribution and better serve marginalised individuals, such as the refugees.
