New Bishop for Hong Kong

New bishop for Hong Kong The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Hong Kong of Cardinal John Tong Hon. He is to be succeeded by Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung ... (Vatican announcement August 1 at 6.00pm Hong Kong time) HONG KONG (SE): The Vatican Bishop Michael Yeung, the new office undertaken, the later grace; announced on August 1 that Pope bishop of Hong Kong. the former is a name for danger, Francis has accepted the resigna- but the latter a name for salvation." tion of the bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Tong steps down after John Cardinal Tong Hon, and his in recognition of his work in the eight years as the bishop of Hong tenure as bishop was to conclude social services field. Kong. At 78-years-of-age he is on the same day. At his episcopal ordination, he well past the usual retirement age Consequently, the coadjutor recalled Jesus' words at the Last of 75, but when he tended his res- of the diocese, Bishop Michael Supper, "Arise and go forth," the ignation at the time, he was asked Yeung Ming-cheung, automatical- words of the motto he chose for to stay on for a further period of ly became the bishop as from the his coat of arms, which he said three years. time of the announcement. gives a sense of being called into a They have been eventful years, When he was informed that he new ministry and a different type offering some difficult challenges had been chosen as an auxiliary of service. for a bishop in the areas of poli- bishop in 2014, Bishop Yeung con- He stressed that it can only be tics, education and social change fessed to feeling overwhelmed at through the dedicated witness to in Hong Kong. the prospect, as no one knows the the faith of the people of Hong But as he stepped down on his road ahead and no one knows what Kong that the Church community 78th birthday, it was an appropri- will develop, so his prayer was has flourished. ate time to thank him for the fidel- that his response to the unknown He then quoted St. Augustine ity he brought to his job and the would come with adequate wis- as saying, "For you I am a bish- love that he had lavished on his dom. op, but with you I am, after all, a people, as well of course, to wish Bishop Yeung was born in Christian. The former signifies an him a happy birthday. Shanghai, but at the age of four fled the violence and uncertain- ties of 1949 on the mainland with his family, arriving in Hong Kong in 1949. At a Mass celebrated for a pre- While his appoint- harsh reality constrains us and we dominately Indonesian and Fili- tend to give religious faith a low pino congregation of migrant ment as bishop of priority. This happens because no . workers on July 16, he reflected Hong Kong may not one awakens the intrinsic values that all migration has a purpose deep in our hearts." and while the challenges may not be a challenge that This is the very challenge that be the ones of our own choice, they he would have cho- Bishop Yeung is taking on as the must be met and treated as oppor- chief pastor of the diocese of Hong tunities to learn and develop. senfor himself, never- Kong, but he believes it can be While his appointment as bish- theless, he accepts it done, despite a tendency to inflex- op of Hong Kong may not be a ibility within a Church that is slow challenge that he would have set must be met... to change its ways, as it is the abil- for himself, nevertheless, he real- of new towns and sudden influx- ity to ascertain with appreciation ises it must be met and, as a leader es of population. There was the and understanding of a reality that of a community, he can only suc- challenge of organising, building heralds the way forward. ceed with prayer and the prayer of responding to social needs and . Bishop Yeung brings a degree the whole community behind him. establishing new communities, ~ of educational pedigree to the job, Bishop Yeung was ordained a both exciting stuff and solid expe- : with a master's in education from priest from Holy Spirit College rience as a base of a life of offering . Harvard and one in arts from Syra- Seminary in Aberdeen on 10 June pastoral care. cuse in the United States of Amer- 1978 for the diocese of Hong Kong It proved good experience ica, as well as a primary degree in and cut his teeth as a young priest for the young priest who was to theology from the Pontifical Urban in a parish with well-known Mar- become better known in the dio- University in Rome. yknoll Father Ray Nobiletti in Ha cese both as an educationist and as In addition he was made a Doc- Kwai Chung in the New Territo- the chief executive of Caritas. tor of the University by the Aus- nes. But he sees the need for deep tralian Catholic University and These were heady days, caught faith as a basis for education, say- doctor of social science by the up in the whirlwind of the creation ing at one point of his life, "The Open University of Hong Kong.

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