In mid-June, the diocese welcomed three new priests while the Society of Jesus also saw the ordination of a Vietnamese Jesuit. Furthermore, a Cameroonian priest from the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, having been ordained in his home country, will return to Hong Kong in September to serve the local faithful.
While these new vocations are encouraging, the Church continues to face a shortage; as the saying goes, “The harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.”
Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. has repeatedly encouraged young people to respond to their vocations with courage and generosity.
We are just over 10 days away from the 2026 Hong Kong Book Fair, which will take place from July 15 to 21 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. The diocese will once again participate in this major annual event, taking the initiative to reach out to the public and share the Good News of the gospel with those who do not yet know the Lord.
Diocesan organisations such as the Catholic Truth Society, Diocesan Audio-Visual Centre, and Kung Kao Po will participate under the theme “Messengers of Hope.”
The Catholic Church’s participation is not simply about selling books or making a profit. Rather, it aims to encourage good reading habits. Beyond recommending quality books, the important objective is to demonstrate the Church’s presence by proactively engaging in mainstream, non-religious cultural activities and connecting with the wider community.
In past years, the diocese has participated in the Hong Kong International Film Festival, presenting the SIGNIS Award to encourage films that promote positive human values.
The Church expresses God’s love through a range of social and medical services, especially supporting the most vulnerable through Caritas-Hong Kong.
The Church also runs over 300 schools across Hong Kong, imparting Catholic values and nurturing responsible citizens.
In this era of rapid technological change, the demand for instant information is immense. With artificial intelligence, answers are just a keystroke away. Yet, do we still need books? Is there still a place for print? Absolutely.
Books provide a tactile and warm reading experience, while e-books offer convenience and easy storage. As digital platforms grow, e-books also help preserve and share out-of-print classics.
For readers abroad and in mainland China, e-books make browsing and purchasing easier. Both formats have unique strengths.
Ultimately, evangelisation remains the Church’s priority. By stepping beyond parish boundaries and inspiring hope in daily life, we can truly become “messengers of hope.” SE
