ASIA/HONG KONG - Remains of the first 5 Bishops of Hong Kong are transferred to the Cathedral's crypt; Bishop John Tong calls it “a call to evangelization”

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - “Recalling the precursors and invoking their help, we continue on the path of evangelization.” With these words, Auxiliary Bishop John Tong of Hong Kong encouraged those present at the ceremony for the transfer of the remains of 5 Bishops of Hong Kong from the cemetery to the Cathedral's crypt. According to the Kong Ko Bao, the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin, on March 25, the remains of the first 5 Bishops: Giovanni Timoleone Raimondo, PIME, (1874-1894); Domenico Pozzoni, PIME, (1905-1924); Enrico Valtorta, PIME, (1926-1951); Francis Hsu Chen-Ping (first Chinese bishop of the diocese), (1969-1973), and Peter Lei Wang-Kei (1973-1974) made the transfer in a ceremony attended by over 30 priests, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Hong Kong. The remains of Bishop Lorenzo Bianchi, PIME, (1951-1969,) Cardindal John B. Wu Cheng-Chung (1975-2002) will also be transferred soon.
The ceremony took place in the crypt, which is called the “Evangelization Chapel,” and is filled with displays of artifacts from the history of the Church in Hong Kong. This is what Bishop John Tong was led to describe the event as “a call to evangelization.” The first Bishops were all missionaries from the PIME (Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions). Fr. Cumbo, Provincial Superior of PIME in Hong Kong, was present at the ceremony and commented that “all PIME missionaries have felt at home in Hong Kong and we are so happy to see so many faithful paying homage to the Bishops who led Christ's Church. They are models for the faithful. I think that this will become a pilgrimage site for many faithful Italians.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 6/4/2009)