In early June, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., led an 11-member delegation from the Diocese of Hong Kong on a visit to various dioceses in Sichuan. During their visit, they met with five bishops to learn more about the local Church and to lay the groundwork for future collaboration and exchanges. The delegation was encouraged by the vibrant energy of young seminarians, priests, and religious sisters, viewing it as a hopeful sign for the future of the Church.
During the five-day trip commencing on June 1, the delegation visited the dioceses of Chengdu, Yibin, and Leshan, in addition to the Sichuan Catholic Seminary and various other locations associated with the Sinicisation of religion.
Upon their arrival in Chengdu on the first day, the delegation visited the local cathedral and participated in a sharing session with five bishops and lay leaders. The bishops present included Bishop Joseph Yuange Tang of Chengdu, Bishop Peter Xuegang Lou of Yibin, Bishop Paul Shiyin Lei of Leshan, Bishop Joseph Gong’ao Chen of Nanchong, and Bishop John Jiapei Lei of Xichang.
The delegation travelled to Yibin the next day and attended the morning Mass at Yibin Cathedral on June 3. Bishop Luo led the service, with Cardinal Stephen, Bishop Joseph Ha, ofm, and priests from Hong Kong concelebrating. Other delegation members and local parishioners also participated in the liturgy. After some local visits, they proceeded to the Diocese of Leshan, where they met with local clergy, religious sisters, and faithful at a reception dinner at the Bishop’s House.
On June 4, the delegation visited the Sichuan Catholic Seminary, where they were received by Bishop Joseph Gong’ao Chen, the rector. More than 10 seminarians met with the group and were delighted to receive the blessing from Cardinal Stephen.
As their five-day visit drew to a close, members of the Hong Kong delegation reflected on their experience. Cardinal Stephen noted that the local spicy cuisine had been thoughtfully adjusted to suit their tastes, allowing them to feel the warm hospitality of the Sichuan people. He added that “the dioceses they visited were highly welcoming, and expressed hope that the trip would mark the beginning of deeper exchanges, cooperation, and a shared journey of synodality.”
Cardinal Stephen expressed that what struck him most was his conversation with Bishop Joseph Gong’ao Chen at the Sichuan Seminary, along with the seminarians’ sharing, photo moments, and their welcoming songs. “Young people are truly the hope of both the Church and the nation; we must cherish and nurture them,” said Cardinal Stephen. “This trip also offered valuable opportunities to better understand the Sinicisation of religion and the historical context of the Church’s Three-Self Movement. He noted that having a reflective understanding is more helpful than uninformed opposition, as these experiences lay a strong groundwork for ongoing dialogue. Such a foundation is crucial for fostering unity amid diversity.
Bishop Ha said that this trip provided him with invaluable firsthand experience of the current situation in the five dioceses of Sichuan and the implementation of national religious policy. “The friendships established with the five bishops will benefit future exchanges between the dioceses of the two regions and allow the Hong Kong diocese to live out its bridging role.” He noted that he was particularly moved by “meeting many young priests, nuns, and seminarians. They all responded to their calling with fervour; in them, I saw God’s grace and the hope of the Church.”
Father Peter Choy, vicar general, also shared some inspiring thoughts. “First, I had the opportunity to meet with the five bishops of Sichuan Province, who were among the first pastors to receive theological education after the reform and opening up, growing up in difficult times with limited resources; their unwavering faith is truly admirable,” he said. “Second, I had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the implementation of the ‘Sinicisation’ of religion in the Catholic Church of Sichuan. Although Sinicisation is the political direction of Chinese society as a whole, its practice overlaps considerably with the Church’s ongoing inculturation efforts. The Church should not view this as a scourge; rather, it should be seen as an opportunity for the Church to spread the Gospel and witness to the faith in contemporary Chinese society.”
Ms. Susanna Ching, president of the Hong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity, thanked the hosts for their hospitality and acknowledged their efforts to promote the Sinicisation of Catholicism. “The church square I visited had murals displaying the correspondence between socialist core values and biblical passages. This was the first time I had seen this, but whether the two can express the same meaning, and whether our understanding is consistent, remains to be investigated.”
Italian missionary Father Franco Bellati, the local superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions [PIME] in Hong Kong, said the trip gave him a firsthand experience of the current state of the Church in China. “From now on, I will have even more reason to pray for the Church in China,” he said. Sister Chong of the Precious Blood Sisters also stated that the trip allowed her to understand the process of Christian inculturation, and that the exchanges deepened their mutual love and care.
While Father Paul Kam, vicar general, experienced a sense of “connection and communion” throughout the journey. This was evident during the Mass on June 3, when Cardinal Stephen, Bishop Ha, and Bishop Luo concelebrated, and in the interactions of praying together, sharing, and exchanging ideas.
Father Joseph Liu, assistant diocesan procurator, described the visit to the Sichuan Catholic Seminary as a truly unforgettable experience. “We hope the Church can cultivate a spirit of synodality while integrating with Chinese culture. The Sinicisation of religion can be explored from various aspects, such as music, religious clothing and architecture, so as to enrich our faith.”
For Permanent Deacon Louis Wong, “This experience was like a blessing, allowing me to see God’s work in the Church in China and inviting me to be a bridge, promoting deeper communion and cooperation in love.”
During the trip, there was a daily sharing session among the Hong Kong delegation. Father Joseph Chan, vicar general, pointed out that “through sharing our gains, we broadened our horizons and perspectives on this trip: we had the opportunity to enter the historical space of others and understand their thoughts at that time; and through empathy, we expanded our space for dialogue.”
