ASIA/HONG KONG - The Year of the Laity has been extended: commitment of the lay within the basic ecclesial communities

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - After a year of positive experience, His Exc. Mgr, John Tong, Bishop of Hong Kong, has extended the celebration of the Year of the Laity until December 31, 2012, "because with the guidance of the Holy Spirit , the numbers of conversions of our diocese continue to grow and our faith continues to mature". After the first year devoted to formation, the second Year of the Laity, which the diocese celebrates in 2012, will stress above all the implementation of the commitments on behalf of the lay in the basic ecclesial communities. According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), Mgr. Dominic Chan, President of the Preparatory Commission and General Vicar of the diocese, announced the program for the Year of the Laity 2012 to help the faithful to live in continuity this initiative. According to Mgr. Chan, after a year of experience focused on the formation of the lay, the diocese now encourages the faithful to participate in the life of the basic ecclesial communities, thus creating a network of lay and parish faith formation. Among the proposals: the recitation of the prayer composed for the Year of the Laity and Liturgy of the Hours; daily meditation of the Gospel of the day and the Word of God; the participation in solidarity and charity work; sharing faith with the non-Christians, and the utmost attention to respecting human rights, starting from the district where you live to the whole society of Hong Kong. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 02/09/2011)