Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - At the suggestion of the diocesan Commission for family and marriage pastoral care, the diocese of Hong Kong had decided to make 2007 a special Year of the Family, according to the diocesan bulletin Kong Ko Bao. “The Year of the Family intends to encourage the Catholic community to give more attention to the family reminding them and all society, which losing the traditional respect and value for the family, of the absolute value of Christian marriage and the family. This is a way to help couples collaborate and live the faith” said Mr. Chan, of the diocesan Commission. For his part diocesan vicar Mgr Domenico Chan explained : “The Year of the Family will give importance to formation before and after marriage. Our aim is to have coordinated pastoral care with family parish groups ”.
According to Fr. Gabriel Altamirano, a member of the Missionaries of Guadalupe, parish priest of the Catholic church of St. Margaret Mary, “a parish family group or something similar helps to promote preparation for married and family life. We hope to involve Catholics, other Christians and all men and women of good will”. The value of the family is important in Chinese culture and it is a path for spreading knowledge of the Church and the Christian faith and Catholic teaching on the family. Hong Kong diocese has always given great importance to family pastoral care and marriage and already 12 parishes has their own Family Groups and 13 have other similar groups. Experience shows that these groups are an effective means of effective family and marriage pastoral care. (Agenzia Fides 31/08/2006 Righe: 25, Parole: 313)
