Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) – Over 3,000 adults baptized at the Easter Vigil 2010 are the result of the evangelizing efforts of priests, foreign missionaries, deacons, religious, over 1,000 Sunday School teachers, 580 volunteer catechists, and all the associations present in the Diocese of Hong Kong. This was how Bishop John Tong, Bishop of the Diocese of Hong Kong, acknowledged with gratitude the missionary effort carried out by the diocesan community, in his pastoral letter on the occasion of Easter entitled "Learn From the Apostles." According to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (the Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), in his Letter, which has the subtitle, the verse "This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it (Ps. 118, 24), Bishop Tong offers a warm welcome to the newly baptized who have joined the Catholic family, mentioning the Solemnity of Pentecost on which they will confirm and strengthen their faith. The Bishop then made the invitation to learn from the Apostles, especially “their first encounter with Jesus,” and their desire to participate in the mission of evangelization: “Thus, Andrew brought his brother, Simon, Peter, to Jesus. The mission to bring others to Jesus is the most fundamental Christian work.”
Bishop Tong, therefore, stresses the need to improve basic education and further training of catechists, to meet the needs of a growing number of catechumens, and organize a comprehensive catechetical program for those wishing to embrace the Catholic faith, following the stages of the catechumenate. “every disciple needs ongoing formation and every local Church needs to improve the quality of its catechetical instruction,” says the Bishops, mentioning the opportunities the diocese offers through its organizations and activities. “I hope that the newly baptized will continue to learn our Catholic doctrine through the above institutes and media, participate in sacramental life, and deepen their spirituality and faith by joining lay associations or basic faith communities.”
Recalling the decisions of the Diocesan Synod of 2002, the Bishop calls old and new believers to deepen in their knowledge of the “Catechism of the Catholic Church,” to combine theory with everyday life. Training courses will be organized for new Catholics, “so that the faith of the catechumens may grow, [they may] practice it with greater sincerity, spread the Gospel in wider circles, and give a more powerful witness to the faith.” Lastly, Bishop Tong gives thanks to the Lord for the growth in faithful and for the generosity of the catechists, who lead others toward the Risen Christ, with the hope that the entire community can grow both in quantity and quality. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 09/04/2010)
