Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - Unity and communion of the Church, the consolidation of religious life and spirit of evangelization, the Pope's letter to the Chinese Catholics in 2007: these are the themes His Exc. Mgr. John Tong, Bishop of the Diocese Hong Kong focused on, speaking to a group of nuns visiting Hong Kong, sharing with them his experience of World Youth Day. According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), the 21 nuns of the continent, responding to the invitation of the Catholic Institute for Religion & Society started their visit on 29 August. Mgr. Tong wanted to meet them on September 8, to urge them to unity and communion in the Church, to exchange thoughts and testimony with them and especially to encourage them to live a life of religious conviction, strengthened by a strong ecclesial sense. Regarding WYD, he said: "The theme of this year's World Youth Day made me reflect a lot on 'the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church'. I strongly felt the universal spirit".
According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao, Mgr. Tong said to the nuns: "During your stay in Hong Kong, you can better get to know and love the principles of the Universal Church. The current Pope has always taught us to insist firmly on faith, to tell the truth, to make all the important things clear". Mgr. Tong also shared his experience: "being Bishop of Hong Kong, I have had several opportunities to meet the Pope He dearly loves the Church in China, hopes that the Church in China may fulfill the relationship of union and communion with the Universal Church. He has always given much attention to the formation of Bishops, priests, seminarians, religious women and Chinese lay people. " Recalling the importance of reading and meditating on Benedict XVI’s letter to the Chinese Catholics in 2007, the Bishop recalled that the Pope recommended "the nuns fidelity to the Evangelical Counsels", and during a meeting with the nuns, the Pope, "underlined the importance of the vocation of religious life, and invited the nuns to bring the Lord in the secular world. So - concluded Mgr. Tong - you also bring the experience of this journey, sharing it with the Church of the continent". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 20/09/2011)
