‘That clear limits be set for the national security law’

In an interview with the Jesuit college magazine, the Hong Kong bishop talks about the wounds left by the 2019 protests and the subsequent repression. “The Church has not stood idly by, we have increased support for young people who are in jail. But today it is necessary for each one to listen to the other”. The diocese continues to work on the project of a Catholic university.

Hong Kong () – At the moment, there is great “confusion about what can and cannot be said” in Hong Kong and this ambiguity, added to the way in which the authorities linked to Beijing use the law of national security, is an obstacle for those who work to heal the wounds of society, explained the Bishop of Hong Kong, Monsignor Stephen Chow Sau-yan, in an interview with a publication of the students of the Wah Yan Jesuit College, in Kowloon . The bishop was rector of that institution before being called a year ago by Pope Francis to head the diocese. The dialogue touches on many topics, including the effects of the controversial law imposed by Beijing in June 2020 against “secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces”, and was reproduced by the South China Morning Post, the main daily of Hong Kong.

“The difficulty posed by the national security law – says Msgr. Chow in the interview – lies in not knowing where the red line is. Educators, social workers, and even legal professionals face multiple obstacles. Experts and law enforcement agencies may have a different interpretation of it. While everyone should be clear about where the limits are, to know how to express themselves.”

Regarding how the crackdown that followed the 2019 anti-government protests has divided Hong Kong’s Catholic community itself, the bishop called on everyone to get personally involved in reconciling a deeply wounded society. Archbishop Chow encouraged Hong Kongers not to give up or be too critical: “Let’s sit back and wait for the clouds to lift. This is a time to discern rather than act.”

He said that the Catholic Church has not been “idle by” after the social tensions and the introduction of the national security law. Its institutions and members have increased support for young people in prison, providing education and rehabilitation. The bishop called for patience to heal the wounds of political confrontation and deep mistrust in society and urged everyone to change their attitude towards others: “Hong Kong’s most serious crisis is that each group thinks only of its own interests,” he said, adding that this may lead some to ignore young people’s frustration. On the contrary, he added, it is necessary that “each of us listen and communicate with the other.”

When asked about relations with Beijing and the renewal of the Agreement with the Holy See on the appointment of bishops, Msgr. Chow said that he hoped to be able to visit the bishops of mainland China and establish ties with them, recalling that John Paul II entrusted him with Hong Kong the task of connecting the Chinese Catholic community with the universal Church. “We hope to have more opportunities to talk and listen to each other. Worrying too much about brainwashing would mean assuming we don’t have brains,” he commented.

In the interview, Bishop Chow also returned to the subject of the project of the first Catholic university in Hong Kong which, before becoming a bishop and as superior of the Jesuits, had tried to give birth in Fanling, in an area near the border with the continent. However, the local authorities refused the permit, officially for planning reasons. The bishop explained that the diocese has not abandoned the idea and intends to transform the Caritas Institute of Higher Education – a college in Tseung Kwan O – into a private university that would take the name of Saint Francis University.

Finally, when reminded that the current Hong Kong chief executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, is a former student of Wah Yan, the bishop revealed that they had agreed to meet, but had to cancel the meeting because in September, when he was in Rome, he contracted Covid-19. “I hope John Lee has absorbed Wah Yan’s spirit and vision,” he added. I understand that he is under a lot of political pressure, but it is good that he is willing to establish communication ”.