HONG KONG (SE): More than 300 representatives from parishes, schools, religious institutes, migrant communities, and youth groups gathered at Wah Yan College, Kowloon, on September 19 for the launch of “Journeying Together in Synodality”, an initiative laying the groundwork for the Diocesan Assembly in February 2027. The ceremony was organised by the Diocesan Ad Hoc Committee for Synodal Development.
Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., told participants that synodality is rooted in the shared baptismal dignity and mission of all Christians—laity, religious, and clergy alike. “And based on this foundation, this identity, we come together to learn to listen to each other, learn to share and learn to discern,” he said.
Synodality, the cardinal clarified, is neither secular democratic voting nor political lobbying, but a process of deep listening and discerning the guidance of the Holy Spirit. While final decisions remain with hierarchical leadership, he said, leaders must respect communal discernment and remain mutually accountable. Guidelines from Rome serve as foundational principles, he added, which Hong Kong must adapt to its own local context.
The diocese has aligned itself with the synod’s vision of communion, participation, and mission since Pope Francis convened the Synod on Synodality in October 2021. After submitting an initial synthesis report to the Holy See in 2022, it organised 16 focus groups in 2024 involving clergy, school leaders, pastoral councils, and migrant worker ministries. A further report in May 2024 set out three priorities for local implementation: fostering synodal experience and understanding, expanding women’s roles in the Church’s mission, and advancing formation in synodal practices.
Globally, the journey has moved through parish and diocesan consultations, continental assemblies, and two Vatican synods in October 2023 and October 2024, the latter of which published the Final Document. It has now entered a worldwide implementation phase, in which local Churches hold regional assemblies to translate spiritual discernment into pastoral action ahead of the universal Ecclesial Assembly in October 2028.
Asked during the question-and-answer session how the diocese would ensure that all voices are heard at the assembly, Cardinal Stephen acknowledged that it is impossible to hear everyone in one or two sessions. Synodality, he stressed, is a long-term undertaking rather than a one-off event, and further opportunities, assemblies, and initiatives will follow to sustain participation.
Progress reports from various ministries followed, along with breakout group discussions.
Parish pastoral progress
Father Timothy Wan Kwok-kwong said eight pilot parishes, one in each deanery, were selected in June. Formation workshops held between July and September helped integrate Conversations in the Spirit into parish meetings as a means of discerning God’s will. The programme will be assessed in December, and parishes must submit three-year pastoral plans before Advent on November 28.
Representatives of St. Jude’s Parish described how introducing spiritual conversations into their advisory council helped members listen more attentively than in larger meetings. The parish plans a charity initiative in December that will bring elderly residents from care homes to the parish.
After submitting an initial synthesis report to the Holy See in 2022, it organised 16 focus groups in 2024 involving clergy, school leaders, pastoral councils, and migrant worker ministries. A further report in May 2024 set out three priorities for local implementation: fostering synodal experience and understanding, expanding women’s roles in the Church’s mission, and advancing formation in synodal practices.
Father Wan observed that while spiritual conversation is not an instant remedy, it transforms participants through prayerful discernment, respect, and patient listening. Its success, he said, depends on effective facilitation, careful adherence to procedure, and a focus on prayerful insight rather than personal opinion.
A representative of Holy Cross Parish said that despite initial unfamiliarity, the method gave quieter members a voice. Other parishes have widened consultation by involving external stakeholders, including Caritas, schools, hospital pastoral care teams, and district councillors.
Reflecting on the discussions, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing described synodality as a communal spirituality aimed at discovering God’s call. Communities, he said, must analyse their context and gather data before prayerful decision-making, followed by transparent execution and continuous evaluation.
Cardinal Stephen acknowledged that it is impossible to hear everyone in one or two sessions. Synodality, he stressed, is a long-term undertaking rather than a one-off event, and further opportunities, assemblies, and initiatives will follow to sustain participation
School engagement
Sister Christina Cheung Shuk-yuen, a Precious Blood Sister and educator, outlined a three-stage plan running from 2026 to 2029 to cultivate a synodal culture in schools through cognition, attitude, and action.
The first phase builds awareness through briefings, unified materials, and spiritual activities; the second focuses on implementation in pilot schools with core group support; the third refines practices in the light of ongoing reviews.
Asked how synodality might be introduced among non-Catholic staff, Sister Cheung advised beginning with shared values such as school mottos and student care, rather than formal Church terminology. Cultivating trust and drawing on existing good relationships, she said, creates the foundation needed before formal concepts are introduced.
Youth formation
Youth ministry representative Paulette Fong highlighted young people’s active role in producing social media content on synodality. Youth leaders also plan to integrate Conversations in the Spirit into secondary school leadership camps, student fellowship workshops, and parish group training this year, equipping peers to facilitate dialogue.
Later discussions underlined that synodality is lived discernment rather than abstract theory, calling believers of every background to carry their faith into daily life and share responsibility for the Church’s mission.
Paulette Fong highlighted young people’s active role in producing social media content on synodality. Youth leaders also plan to integrate Conversations in the Spirit into secondary school leadership camps, student fellowship workshops, and parish group training this year, equipping peers to facilitate dialogue
Migrant ministries and evangelisation
Divine Word Father Jay Flandez, chaplain for Filipino communities, outlined ongoing missions including street evangelisation, online Bible studies, and home enthronements.
Individual ministries described their work. The Chaplaincy Evangelisation Team proclaims scripture, shares testimonies, and distributes rosaries on the streets and in boarding houses, while connecting non-Catholic groups and lapsed Catholics with the Church. The Thursday Liturgical Bible Study Group holds weekly online meetings to study the Sunday Mass readings, relate scripture to daily life, and organise community Bible encounters. The Missionary Family of Christ presented its “Live Christ, Share Christ” movement, which evangelises families and young people across parishes.
Further needs were raised, including appeals for prison ministry volunteers and expanded hospital visits. Cardinal Stephen expressed appreciation for the way migrants in Hong Kong have become “missionary disciples”, and spoke of forthcoming collaborations to provide medical services for migrant workers.
Later discussions underlined that synodality is lived discernment rather than abstract theory, calling believers of every background to carry their faith into daily life and share responsibility for the Church’s mission
Regional lessons and next steps
Participants in synodal gatherings of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences [FABC] said regional experiences had offered Hong Kong valuable models for renewal. Watching bishops engage in open dialogue with laypeople, they noted, showed how structured spiritual conversations can break down hierarchies. FABC resources, they added, equip local facilitators to manage parish discussions, navigate differing viewpoints, and implement pastoral plans.
Bishop Ha closed with an overview of the Diocesan Assembly in February. The Working Team for the Diocesan Assembly, formed in August under Cardinal Stephen and himself, is finalising discussion topics and the criteria for selecting representatives.
He invited those present to begin reflecting on what they considered the most critical topic for the local Church to address at the assembly.
