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Photo KungKaoPo
Hong Kong (Fides News Agency) – “Eighty years ago, on this very day, Pope Pius XII proclaimed the elevation of Hong Kong from an Apostolic Vicariate to the rank of a diocese.
We are grateful for the selfless dedication of so many of our predecessors who, through the proclamation of the Gospel, the liturgy, community involvement, education, and the promotion of schools, brought the love of Christ to this land,” said the Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, at the celebratory Mass marking the 80th anniversary of the diocese’s founding on April 11, 1946. The Jesuit Cardinal also commemorated all the bishops who have served in the diocese, dedicating themselves to building the local Church, reaffirming that the Church in Hong Kong remains committed to continuing the missionary tradition and serving the most vulnerable.
As reported by the diocesan weekly newspaper "KungKaoPo," the Liturgy was presided over by Cardinal Chow and concelebrated by the diocesan bishops emeritus, Cardinal Joseph Zen and Cardinal John Tong, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, and 130 priests, in the presence of over a thousand faithful and nuns. During the liturgy, prayers were also recited before the tomb of the first Apostolic Prefect of Hong Kong, Theodore Joset (1804–1842), and the tombs of several bishops buried in the cathedral. A solemn procession paused before the Grotto of Our Lady to give thanks to Mary on behalf of the entire diocesan community.
In his homily, Cardinal Chow recounted the history of the Hong Kong community, which had been an Apostolic Prefecture since April 22, 1841. For 185 years, the Catholic Church had provided invaluable services in healthcare, education, and charitable work. On April 11, 1946, with the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in China, the Apostolic Vicariate of Hong Kong was finally elevated to a diocese.
"The Church of Hong Kong," Cardinal Chow remarked, "has always stood up for the most vulnerable. And in the future, it will continue to preserve the legacy of the past and pass it on to the future, forming a bridge and a synodal path for the universal Church and the Church on the Chinese mainland."
Hong Kong's youth also contributed to the celebration of the Mass, which was followed by a concert entitled "Youth on Stage." The Catholic Church in Hong Kong was founded in 1841 as an Apostolic Prefecture, elevated to the rank of an Apostolic Vicariate in 1874, and finally to the rank of a diocese in 1946. Hong Kong has approximately 392,000 Catholics, 268 priests, 49 brothers, and 404 nuns. There are a total of 52 parishes with 39 churches, 30 chapels, and 26 halls for services in Cantonese; three-fifths of the parishes also offer services in English and, in some cases, in Tagalog, the Philippine language. In its apostolic work, the diocese always strives to serve the entire community, beginning with the most vulnerable. The diocese operates 249 Catholic schools and preschools with approximately 134,824 students. Medical and social services are provided by at least six hospitals, ten clinics, 46 social and family centers, 17 guesthouses, 15 nursing homes, 33 rehabilitation centers, and numerous self-help groups and associations. Caritas Hong Kong is the official aid organization of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. These services are available to all residents of the diocese, and approximately 95% of service recipients are not Catholic. (NZ) (Fides News Agency, 18/4/2026)
