Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Fides Service) - Catholics in Hong Kong took to the streets as part of the 60,000 people who attended a vigil on June 4th to mark the 15th anniversary of student demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on June 4 1989 and pray for the victims. The streets of the former British colony were populated with demonstrators making their way to Victoria Park with candles, to take part in hymns, readings and statements in support of democracy and freedom.
In an article in the Sunday Examiner, newspaper published by the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong, the Catholic Bishop opf Hong Kong, Bishop Joseph Zen said the faithful would be“taking part in the demonstrations but with no hatred in their hearts”. Bishop Zen called on the Catholics in Hong Kong to stage a peaceful dmonstration to defend the ideals of freedom, democracy, justice and human rights and he said he was confident that “the truth of the events on June 4 1989 will come to light”.
In Hong Kong the Catholic Church organises cultural events every year to inform and educate young people about events in mainland China on 4 June 1989. To mark the event the diocesan Comission for Justice and Peace organised the participation of the faithful at the vigil, as well as prayer meetings and the celebration of Holy Mass for the respose of the souls of the vicitms
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2004 lines 21 words 240)
