The ordination ceremony of the Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, which was vacant for nearly three years, was held on 4 December last year at 3 p.m. at the Hong Kong Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, Central. Father Stephen Chow Sau Yan, 61, President of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus, took up his duties as the 9th Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. The ceremony was officiated by bishop emeritus John Cardinal Tong Hon, Apostolic Nuncio, with Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha, and Monsignor Javier Herrera Corona, Chargé d’affaires of the Diocese of Hong Kong and Macau concelebrating. The service was conducted in Cantonese and English.
After the reading of the gospel, the Bishop-designate was introduced by Fr John Tsang Hing-man and the Chancellor, Father Lawrence Lee and Monsignor Herrera , read out the apostolic letter of appointment in Cantonese and English respectively. In his homily, Cardinal John Tong, Apostolic Administrator, invited the faithful to reflect on the meaning of the duties of Bishop: “The duties of the Apostle are passed on from one generation to another through the succession of bishops, and throughout this process the will of the Savior is carried out and continued.” Cardinal Tong also invited the faithful to receive and honor Bishop Chow with joy and gratitude.
Before the end of the Mass, the new Bishop gave a speech. He began by thanking God for all the Catholics at the ceremony and those over online streaming, praying for himself and the Diocese of Hong Kong, and stressing the importance to be grateful, to treasure one’s blessings and to cherish them: “How can I deserve this blessing? I hope that in a few years time you will all consider this appointment as a blessing for you all, the diocese and Hong Kong. I will be praying for this from time to time, and I ask you to pray earnestly for this purpose. I strongly believe that my appointment is not for my own sake, but for the sake of God’s mission of salvation in church and in Hong Kong. We are all partners in the Lord’s mission.”
He also said that, as a Jesuit, consultation, listening, conversation and discernment sharing were essential processes and that he would carry out his duties with this mindset in the future, but that it would take time and shared discernment for long term planning, and that he prayed that in his future duties he would commit himself wholeheartedly to his vocation as a bishop and not disgrace his consecration and dispensation.
In addition, Bishop Chow also mentioned the youth and spirituality: “A church without young people is a community without a future, and a church without spirituality will become too dogmatic and formal. Therefore, we must aspire to do better and make plans in these two areas. He also mentioned that there is a dark, sinful side to the Church, and that it is important not to stand still or stand alone, but to be a powerful witness to the Gospel and the desire of Christ through ‘unity in diversity’ – ‘that all may be one’.
A large number of Catholics attended the ceremony, including the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Ms Carrie Lam; the Secretary for Innovation and Technology, Mr Alfred Sit; former Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and his wife, Mrs Selina Tsang. Some Catholics expressed their hopes for the new Bishop and said that Bishop Chow was a lively and young man who aspired to bring a new atmosphere to the diocese, and that under his leadership, young people would have the courage to express their feelings and stances.
Immediately after Bishop Chow’s appointment, the Diocese of Hong Kong announced the appointment of four Vicars General: namely, Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, Father Peter Choi Wai-man, Father Paul Kam Po-wai and Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, for a period of five years. They are all ex-officio members of Diocesan commissions and councils.In addition, the appointment of Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming and Father Wong Kwan-yau to the Diocesan Consultative Council for a period of two years was also announced.
Article 475 §1 of the Catholic Code of Canon Law states: “In each diocese the diocesan bishop must appoint a vicar general who is provided with ordinary power according to the norm of the following canons and who is to assist him in the governance of the whole diocese.”
Follow
