ASIA/HONG KONG - The Diocese increases the annual fund for the Formation of the Laity: 65 scholarships have been assigned

Hong Kong (Agenzia Fides) - The diocese of Hong Kong has increased the Annual Fund for the Formation of the Laity from one million to 1.2 HK $ million to respond to the appeal launched by the Year of the Laity. On 6 November, according to reports from the Kong Ko Bao (Chinese version of the diocesan bulletin), delivered at the 18th Annual Fund, 65 scholarships were assigned out of 74 applications submitted, concerning the study of catechism, theology, religious science and sacred music.
According to information provided by the Diocesan Vicar’s Office and the President of the Fund, Msgr. Dominic Chang, the Fund for the Formation of the Laity of the Diocese of Hong Kong was created in 1992 by the then Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal G.B. Wu, with funds raised on the occasion of the centennial of the founding of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (1888 - 1988, HK $ one million) and for 150 years since the founding of the diocese of Hong Kong (2.5 million HK $). Since there is a great need for formation, the diocese has added additional funds, a total of HK $ 5 million allocated to local Catholics for their studies – abroad or in Hong Kong - for religious studies, theology, moral theology, Church's social doctrine, pastoral care, liturgy, and other disciplines related to the Catholic faith. In the meantime, specific topics of study were also added such as the hospital pastoral care (1995), distance learning formation for the licentiate in theology (1988-2006), sacred music (2000), youth pastoral (2001), the pastoral care of marriage and the Family (2005), the license in Religious Sciences (2006).
In 18 years the Fund has already supported the formation of over 640 lay people and the realization of 735 projects for the formation in Hong Kong and abroad, for a total sum of HK $ 7.9 (equivalent to about one million euros) . The United States, Canada, Italy (especially Rome), France, Malta, the Philippines and Australia are the main destinations for studies. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2011)