Hong Kong – The Governor of Hong Kong is convinced that the Diocese of Hong Kong will continue to contribute to the governance of the special administrative region and to its citizens in promoting social harmony and communion, as Hong Kong experiences a crucial transition in its journey to strengthen stability and prosperity.
This was the message conveyed by Catholic John Lee Ka-chiu, the sixth Chief Executive of the former British colony, on the occasion of the concert held on Sunday, January 18, as part of the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diocese of Hong Kong.
The musical and prayer event, entitled “Love – a Spring of Hope,” was also attended by two former governors, both Catholic: Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Sir Donald Tsang Yam-kuen.
The concert was held at Chater Garden and was attended by Jesuit Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, Bishop of Hong Kong; Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization; Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, Archbishop of Tokyo; Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck of Essen; Bishop Stephen Lee Bun of Macau; Bishop Oscar Cantú of the Diocese of San Jose, California; Auxiliary Bishop Peter Chao Yungchi of the Diocese of Taipei; as well as prominent members of other Christian denominations.
During his address, Cardinal Chow affirmed that the door of the Sacred Heart of Jesus “is always open to those with weary and oppressed hearts.” He added that, in celebrating eighty years of diocesan journey, “we sincerely hope that, through this meaningful and prayerful event, we can bless Hong Kong, our beloved citizens, and our city.”
That same day, the Church in Hong Kong also celebrated the 60th, 50th, and 25th anniversaries of the priestly ordination of fourteen priests, as well as the 75th, 70th, 60th, 50th, and 25th anniversaries of the religious vows of twenty-five nuns.
The Diocese of Hong Kong began the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of its establishment on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8. Throughout the year, various commemorative events will take place, including a retrospective on the history of the Church in Hong Kong, dialogue with young people, and the promotion of the apostolic work entrusted to the local community.
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