The new head of the Hong Kong Diocese said defending human rights and religious freedom in mainland China is more important than normalizing Chinese-Vatican relations. In an interview with the Asian church news agency UCA News, Bishop John Tong Hon said he would adhere to church principles in dealing with mainland China. The interview with Bishop Tong, an expert on the church in China, was published April 16, the day he took over as head of the diocese. The bishop cited a principle often credited to St. Augustine of Hippo: "In essential things unity, in doubtful things liberty, but in all things love." Bishop Tong, 69, who was named coadjutor bishop of Hong Kong in January 2008, succeeded Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun as diocesan bishop. The Vatican announced April 15 that Pope Benedict XVI had approved the 77-year-old cardinals request to retire.
Hong Kong Bishop Emphasizes Defending China's Religious Freedom
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández declared that the Vatican will only validate reports of Marian apparitions in “exceptional” cases that incur the special interest of the pope.
A Homily for the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, by Father Terrance Klein
The 58-year-old Portuguese Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça is widely recognized not only as a poet but also as one of the leading intellectuals of the Roman Curia.
The J.D. Vance pick is a reminder for Catholic voters: Neither party deserves our uncritical support
At one time, the presence of Catholics on both major-party tickets would have been cause for celebration. But now Mr. Vance and Mr. Biden reflect the political divisions among U.S. Catholics.