HONG KONG (SE): The Diocese of Hong Kong is launching a major pastoral initiative to welcome and evangelise the city’s rapidly growing Putonghua-speaking population. Father Bruno Lepeu, of the Paris Foreign Missions Society and coordinator of the diocese’s Putonghua pastoral team, shared the diocese’s vision for fostering a new culture of hospitality, care, and integration with the community.
The diocese hosted its first territory-wide Putonghua Mass on May 31, whaere Cardinal Stephen Chow presided over a commissioning ceremony for the new evangelisation teams [Sunday Examiner, June 7].
To manage resources effectively, the diocese established the Pastoral Team for Putonghua-speaking Faithful at the start of 2026. Led by Father Lepeu, the team operates through six sub-committees focusing on deaneries, schools, youth communities, formation, promotion, and developmental research.
Overcoming barriers through care
“The reason for serving new arrivals stems, first and foremost, from the love of God. That is, we need to take care of them,” Father Lepeu said.
Rather than relying solely on formal activities, he emphasises a culture of consideration and friendship. With more Putonghua speakers entering local schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods, simple gestures such as greeting neighbours or welcoming mainland parents can help combat isolation.
The influx of mainland professionals and students has created distinct needs across different districts. The Northern District sees many cross-border students, while areas near the University of Hong Kong attract young professionals via the Top Talent Pass Scheme. New residential hubs such as Kai Tak and LOHAS Park are also experiencing a rapid rise in Putonghua speakers.
Therefore, he believes parishes should tailor their services according to the specific needs of the Putonghua-speaking population in their region.
Father Lepeu notes that local and Putonghua-speaking communities can learn from one another. For example, local parishioners tend to have thorough discussions in well-organised meetings, whereas the Putonghua-speaking community prefers efficiency and flexible implementation.
The mainland tradition of hosting post-Mass refreshments can also help to foster a deep sense of belonging. Father Lepeu recommends parish coffee mornings as an excellent way to unite Cantonese, English, and Putonghua speakers.
To ensure long-term integration, the diocese is inviting all parishes to set up a Putonghua evangelisation team. These teams will operate directly under local parish councils, ensuring that newcomers become a genuine part of the community rather than temporary guests.
While acknowledging local hesitations, Father Lepeu stresses that being able to communicate in one’s mother tongue offers an irreplaceable level of emotional openness. He encourages parishes to integrate Putonghua into their community events.
“It does not matter if our Putonghua is not perfect; they will still be touched to see our desire to connect with them,” he said.
Currently, a pilot programme has been launched across Hong Kong’s eight deaneries. Supported by native-speaking parish priests, these trial locations will offer catechism classes, Alpha courses, and various hobby workshops.
The initiative also promotes a school-parish collaboration model, engaging Catholic schools as a primary point of contact to introduce new families to parish life.
School and parish collaboration
D
ora Li, a member of the diocesan pastoral team, shared that its work began over a year ago at St. Joseph’s Church in Kowloon Bay, supported by parish priest, Father Augustine Zaw Aung, and native-speaking assistant parish priest, Father Martin Chen.
Early efforts included a 2025 Christmas music event with Putonghua-speaking hosts to make families feel included. This was followed by a Putonghua-led parenting seminar on June 13 designed to help children develop confidence. She noted that the strong backing of priests and school principals remains the absolute key to success.
More success stories
Furthermore, and Divine Word Father Andrew Wang, vice coordinator of the Pastoral Team for Putonghua-speaking Faithful, noted that youth outreach began in mid-2025 to help mainland university students adjust to life in Hong Kong. Since October, the diocesan pastoral team has organised regular gatherings for both Catholic and non-Catholic students, such as visits to Wetland Park.
The team has also established university cell groups to provide spiritual guidance to students and lecturers, and some members have already joined Putonghua catechism classes in different parishes. Looking ahead, the team plans to launch new cell groups for spiritual seekers and to organise a retreat camp in October.
At Ss. Cosmas and Damian Church in Tsuen Wan, where many migrants from Fujian province live in sub-divided flats, Father Henry Ng Kwok-po has successfully united local and mainland parishioners over the last decade through Putonghua liturgies and choirs.
Expanding this pastoral sister, Sister Marinei Pessanha Alves, partnered with the new “Extended Living Space” service of Caritas to launch, with the valuable assistance of parish volunteers, Cantonese classes for mainland mothers. Started in November 2024 with nine students, the programme has grown to 40 women.
At the same time, some retired teachers help their children with English reinforcement classes. This welcoming atmosphere has fostered a deep sense of belonging, and though these women are not yet Catholic, they now happily participate in major church events.
For new evangelisation groups, Sister Alves advises assessing local migrant needs and expanding gradually from existing foundations, with mutual learning and collaboration with other parishes.
