ASIA/HONG KONG - Priests from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan to attend closing of Year for Priests in Rome

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – While a small group of priests from the Diocese of Hong Kong who have made a Year for Priests pilgrimage in Europe, visiting the sites associated with St. John Vianney, returnes (see Fides 04/30/2010), another delegation of priests from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan departs for Rome, where they will attend the Closing Ceremonies of the Year for Priests presided by the Holy Father, in communion with the Universal Church, June 9-11. According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the delegation will leave for Rome on June 6 and is composed of 18 priests, 11 from Hong Kong (5 diocesan, 4 from PIME, and 2 Salesians), 5 from Macao, and 2 from Taiwan. Leading them are the two coordinators: Fr. Peter Leung Tat Choy and Fr. Luigi Bonalumi, PIME. During their stay in Rome, they will attend the Closing Celebrations for the Year for Priests with the Holy Father and then go on pilgrimage to Assisi and then Lourdes, before returning to Hong Kong on June 16. According to Fr. Peter Leung, the participation of priests of the three areas (Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) "is helpful in living the spirit of unity among the priests." Meanwhile, the recently returned group of Hong Kong priests who made the pilgrimage in Europe, led by Msgr. Dominic Chang, Diocesan Vicar, commented on their experience: "During the pilgrimage, we were able to revive three basic dimensions of faith: the monastic life, evangelization, and martyrdom." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 05/06/2010)