Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - Continue prayer and promotion of vocations: this is the appeal being made by Bishop John Tong of Hong Kong, to the entire diocesan community, especially to priests and religious who celebrated 25 or 50 years of priesthood or religious life on the patronal feast of the diocese, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, December 8th. According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version in the diocesan bulletin), despite the fact that the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in Hong Kong is a normal working day, over 900 believers were gathered along with 43 priests and religious, who celebrated their jubilee of priesthood and religious life. 100 priests concelebrated with the Bishop and the Trappist Abbot.
During the solemn ceremony held at the Cathedral, Bishop Tong told those who were celebrating anniversaries: "Thank you for your faithful service to the Lord, to our Church, and to our diocese. I ask our Lord to reward you abundantly." He also urged young people, in this year that the diocese has dedicated to prayer for priestly vocations, to follow these exemplary witnesses and respond courageously to God's call to the religious life.
While sharing the experience of his life dedicated to the Lord, Fr. John A. Coppa of the Maryknoll Missionaries recalled his 50 years of religious life and 50 years of service to the community of Hong Kong, which also coincides with the 50 years of development of the Church in Hong Kong, a small fishing village that has become the metropolis it is today. That change, said the missionary, "requires a proper pastoral response to refugees (Vietnamese), to immigrants, at the service of parishioners... In these 50 years I have often felt the Lord's presence. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 11/12/2009)
