Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - “An open heart is fundamental on the path of ecumenism. This prayer meeting is a way to express our desire for ecumenism”: this motivation led 400 Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Anglicans, Protestants and Methodists to gather for a prayer service in Hong Kong’s Methodist church on 20 January on the occasion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, in live link with a similar prayer meeting in Macao. According to Hong Kong’s diocesan bulletin Kong Ko the prayer meeting was promoted by the Hong Kong Catholic diocesan Commission for Christian Unity, the local World Council of Churches office and the local Commission for Relations between Churches to reflect and pray on the theme chosen for the Week this year “He makes the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak”” (Mk 7,37)..
Pastor Rev. Cao stressed the importance of prayer “the Lord listens to those who pray”. “I appreciate the faithful’s firm desire for Christian unity. This will enable us to spread the ecumenical message in society”. President Catholic diocesan Commission for Christian Unity Rev Stephen Tam Kwan told Kong Ko Bao: “Christians are encouraged to visit one another and work for unity together. Three years ago Catholics and Protestants formed a special group to prepare the celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Initiatives include reciprocal visits, prayer meetings, sharing of experience. This has helped remove prejudice and misunderstanding”.
Also represented at the meeting, various Church Movements and Associations. The service ended with the lighting and distribution of candles by Orthodox Bishop of Hong Kong Bishop Su Yi bao. The faithful were encouraged to share the light of the candle, a symbol of the light of Christ, with others. (NZ)(Agenzia Fides 27/01/2007 Righe: 35 Parole: 431)
