Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – The Catholic Studies Center at the Chinese University of Hong Kong is offering spiritual formation and assistance to 36 religion teachers from 7 schools in the area, not all of them being Catholic, in fact. According to a report from the Kong Ko Bao, the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin, since the end of 2008/beginning of 2009, the Studies Center has been actively working on a plan for “Spiritual Insertion in Education,” inviting 7 middle schools in Hong Kong to participate in a workshop on creating a spiritual environment in schools.
During the encounter, which was attended by 150 participants, Bishop Jong Tong of Hong Kong highlighted the great attention that the Catholic Church has always given education and integral human formation. In his talk, Jesuit Fr. Stephen Chow spoke of the spiritual contribution of the spirituality of St. Ignatius in developing the spiritual wealth of young people.
The Catholic Studies Center of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, founded in 2005, is a joint initiative of the Diocese of Hong Kong and the Academy, to promote the study of Catholicism. The Diocese has contributed with 7 million HK dollars (700,000 Euros) to establish the center. Two diocesan delegates also form a part of the Consultation Committee, formed by experts and intellectuals from the university who take on the responsibility of ensuring seriousness and competence in the studies. The Church's contribution will also be used to hire researchers and scholars, grant scholarships, promote publications, and accommodate foreign students. The initiative opens a new phase of collaboration between the Church and the academic world, offering a thriving prospect in promotion of Catholicism. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 16/3/2009)
