ASIA/HONG KONG - “There are no foreigners in the Church”: 500 Catholic immigrants from the Philippines and Indonesia express their gratitude for the pastoral care received from their dioceses

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – “Our foreign brothers and sisters, especially the immigrant workers, always remind me that in the Church, there are no foreigners. Everyone has a right to be treated as local parishioners, inside and outside the Church.” These were the words of Bishop John Tong in his homily at a Mass recently celebrated, in particular for the Catholic immigrants in Hong Kong, Indonesians and Filipinos. According to the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), 500 Catholic immigrant workers took part in the Eucharistic Celebration to thank that Diocese of Hong Kong, especially its Auxiliary Bishop John Tong, who has led the pastoral care program for the immigrants since 1992, while he was still Vicar of the Diocese.
The priests and religious that serve in this area were also at the Mass and offered an array of traditional Indonesian and Filipino songs and dances. At the close of the celebration, Bishop John Tong said, “I would like to thank the immigrants and to learn from them how to live the faith. I am moved to see you, after a tiring week you have found the strength to participate in the Mass and in the Church’s activities. I even saw with my own eyes a small child that, thanks to the Filipino woman who cares for him, has been able to attend Mass and participate in the Mass.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 05/06/2008)