Hong Kong (Fides Service) - “Catholics are called to serve not only the Church but also society”, said Bishop Joseph Zen of Hong Kong recently when he addressed the members of the newly established Hong Kong Council for Voluntary Work. The Council, whose members include civil servants, Catholics, Anglicans and representatives of the Hong Kong Association of Businessmen, aims to promote activity of solidarity towards the most neglected members of society and to strengthen communion and harmony in the territory. According to the Hong Kong diocesan bulletin Kong Ko Bao Bishop Zen recalled that voluntary work has always been a priority for all Christians: “Many church structures and communities organise voluntary services such as visiting prisons as well as caring for the elderly who have given most to society”.
Voluntary work in Hong Kong is well organised. This was seen particularly during the epidemic of SARS two years ago. A local Catholic said “voluntary service is a way of putting the virtue of charity into practice in every day life”. (Agenzia Fides 23/3/2005 Righe: 19 Parole: 181)