HONG KONG (SE): Hong Kong’s Catholic community gathered at Saint Francis University on May 9 for the opening of Messengers of Hope, a landmark exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong in 1946 and the 185th anniversary of the Church’s presence in Hong Kong since 1841.
The exhibition, which runs until May 31, highlights the diocese’s three principal missions—pastoral care, social service, and education.
Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. led the opening ceremony together with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing; Caritas Hong Kong chief executive, Father Joseph Yim Tak-lung; episcopal delegate for Education, Joseph Kung Kwong-pui; and Saint Francis University provost, Annie Bligh.
Together, they pressed a ceremonial button to illuminate a large-scale artistic installation featuring a replica of the 1946 Vatican decree that formally established the episcopal hierarchy in China, elevating Hong Kong from an apostolic vicariate to the status of the diocese and appointing then-apostolic vicar, Bishop Enrico Valtorta, as its first bishop.
In the opening prayer, Cardinal Stephen emphasised that evangelisation is not simply about increasing Church membership, but about sharing the transformative power of God’s love.
“The mission is to share the joy of the gospel with Hong Kong and the surrounding communities,” the cardinal said, encouraging participants to become “messengers of hope” despite human weakness and limitations.
Bishop Ha expressed gratitude to the religious congregations, schools, and organisations that contributed historical artefacts, as well as to more than 100 volunteers involved in preparing the exhibition. He also expressed his appreciation at the incorporation of modern technology, including holographic displays and AI-narrated guides, to engage contemporary audiences.
The mission is to share the joy of the gospel with Hong Kong and the surrounding communities,
Cardinal Stephen
A journey through time
The exhibition is divided into several thematic zones. At the centre of the hall, a holographic display presents a one-minute video featuring images of the bishops who have led the diocese to date, accompanied by the anniversary theme song, while a crozier [episcopal staff of the bishops] is prominently displayed in the foreground, creating a reflective tribute to the diocese’s rich history and pastoral legacy.
To the left of the entrance, a historical journey section traces the development of the diocese from its beginnings in 1841. The exhibits feature pre- and post-Vatican II liturgical vestments, along with rare artefacts that offer glimpses into the Church’s past, including Chinese leaflets once used to translate the Latin Mass for the faithful.
Father Francis Xavier Wong Kwan-yau, chairperson of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, said there had initially been concerns about whether older vestments were suitable for public display. He thanked Father Francis Li Yu-ming for generously lending items from his personal collection.
Other exhibits include photographs from the 1970 visit of Pope St. Paul VI to Hong Kong, admission tickets and booklets from the papal Mass, architectural plans for Christ the King Chapel, and medicine bottles once used by religious sisters caring for refugees fleeing mainland China during earlier decades.
Another section dedicated to pastoral outreach presents the history of Caritas-Hong Kong and Catholic education in the diocese
The exhibition also examines priestly formation in the past, including strict seminary regulations from earlier generations. Father Lawrence Lee Len, who has been the diocesan chancellor for over 40 years, noted that changing social values and greater emphasis on personal responsibility now require approaches based more on accompaniment and self-discipline rather than rigid institutional structures.
Another section dedicated to pastoral outreach presents the history of Caritas-Hong Kong and Catholic education in the diocese. Exhibits include student identity cards from the 80-year-old Nam Wah Middle School and vintage Caritas raffle tickets from an era when the top prize was an apartment.
Photographs documenting the work of the Catholic Social Welfare Conference and the development of Caritas-Hong Kong are also on display. Reflecting on the organisation’s growth from a small office into a major social service agency, Father Yim said maintaining the spirit of dedication and service remains central to its mission.
Bligh noted she was happy to see that by showcasing the Church’s historical role in providing essential relief, the exhibition helps students to understand how the diocese has transformed the love of God into concrete acts of service.
[Cardinal Stephen] described the 1946 founding document as the ‘birth certificate’ of the local Church, representing both its maturity and the call for greater localisation and inculturation
Wisdom for a new generation
Speaking after the ceremony, Cardinal Stephen reflected on the Church’s development towards a more inclusive understanding of the “People of God.” Recalling his episcopal installation in 2021, he spoke about the symbolic significance of the pastoral staff. “The staff itself is not heavy, but the meaning it carries is heavy,” he said.
He described the 1946 founding document as the “birth certificate” of the local Church, representing both its maturity and the call for greater localisation and inculturation.
The cardinal encouraged young visitors to learn more about the history of the diocese as a source of hope for the future. “History shows us that every era has its insurmountable difficulties, but God always leads us through,” he said.
