ASIA/HONG KONG - Cardinal Tong’s pastoral letter for Advent - Family and marriage: foundation of society

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - "Let us together ensure that family and Christian marriage is the starting point for charity" urges Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong, in his Pastoral letter for Advent 2016 signed on November 20, solemnity of Christ the King.
The Cardinal invites to give more time, more love, more mercy and forgiveness to family, promoting prayer and children’s education to address the social challenges of today, such as the gap between rich and poor, conflicts and contradictions, the weight of life itself, so that all may enjoy family life, where to grow up mentally, spiritually and physically.
In the letter, sent to Agenzia Fides, the Cardinal traces the Holy Year of Mercy, listing the celebrations and the many initiatives in Hong Kong. Much of the diocesan pastoral ministry was mainly dedicated to family, to Christian marriage, to the defense of life...
"In the last 20 years - writes the Cardinal -, the faithful of our diocese have realized the importance of family life. I myself shared our pastoral care of marriage and family during the Special Synod of Bishops". Pastoral groups were created, each with a specific task: for young people, for engaged couples, for families... After the celebration of the Synod on the Family, the diocesan pastoral ministry gave special attention to the divorced, accompanying them with mercy in their journey of faith.
The Bishop of Hong Kong repeatedly emphasizes in his letter that "family and marriage are the foundation of society", and faith helps the family to face the challenges, while "the deepening of faith strengthens the link between family and marriage". (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 30/11/2016)

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