Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - “Intercultural/international Character and Vocation” are the two main themes of the Chapter of the Dominican Province “Our Lady of the Rosary,” i.e. the Dominican Province of the Far East, which is taking place in Hong Kong, September 16-27. According to a report from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), during the Chapter, the 34 delegates from Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Italy, Venezuela, Taiwan, Macao, and Hong Kong, reflected on the future mission of the over 300 members of the province and chose a new Provincial Superior and executive team. In addition to the various Superiors, 20 delegates were chosen by the communities. After the election of the new executive team that will lead the Dominican Far East Province, the chapter members confirmed the application of the decisions made during the Chapter itself.
Although there has been an increase in the number of Dominican vocations in the Asian region (with 22 ordinations in the last 4 years), this is not enough, however, to respond to the many demands for evangelization. On the eve of the Chapter's opening, on September 15, Bishop John Tong of Hong Kong presided the priestly ordination of Dominican Father Raymond.
The Order of Preachers (OP), known as the Dominicans, began their mission in China in January 1631. In 1650, a Chinese man named Luo Wen Zao entered the Dominican convent in Manila and was soon made Apostolic Vicar of Nanchino (today, Nan Jing), becoming the first Bishop of Chinese origin. The Dominicans arrived in Taiwan on 1859, and were considered by the first evangelizers of the island. They reached Hong Kong in 1861. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/9/2009)
