Bernardo Cervellera

The police had denied permission, but tens of thousands of people of all ages poured into the center to "walk". Police officers accused of being "mafiosi" and implementing the law in a "selectively". Stones, bricks and Molotov cocktails thrown against the government headquarters. Heavy damage to metro stations. Groups of "Fujian mobsters" clash with protesters and journalists at North Point. Card Zen asks for prayers for Hong Kong.

Thousands of the pro-democracy movement climb the Lion Rock and Victoria Peak, hanging a banner and singing the hymn "Glory to Hong Kong". Card. Joseph Zen among participants. Lanterns with the message: "Five demands, not one less". The police deny permission for a demonstration, organized by the Civil Front for Human Rights, to be held tomorrow. So far, 1,200 protesters have been arrested.

The auxiliary bishop of the territory, who in these months has accompanied and supported the consciences of young people speaks to AsiaNews. After three months of tensions, "the conflict between the demonstrators and the police, as well as the dissatisfaction with the work done by the government" must be addressed. For the mission of the Church, psychological and moral support and a pastoral direction for the parish communities are essential.

Beijing is implementing total control over the Church and religious communities. For some Chinese priests there is a re-edition of the Cultural Revolution. But in reality China is implementing a project that dates back to the 1980s: the Chinese Church is a national church that belongs only to the state.

Some suspect the US or other powers to be behind the steadfast resistance of he the past three months. In reality, the people of Hong Kong are united by a desire for democracy, fair wages, social housing, and freedom. Meanwhile, Western governments are silent, or just talk the talk but don’t walk the walk.

A document released by the Fujian authorities requires parish priests and religious personnel to ban minors from church and education; to refuse relations with foreign Catholics; to curb any momentum of evangelization. Meanwhile, the "Global Times" celebrates the Vatican Museums Exhibition and some lectures on "Pope Francis" and "friendship" between China and the Vatican. For Beijing, agreements with the Holy See go hand in hand with the suffocation of the Church.

The underground bishop, recently recognized by the government as auxiliary bishop, withdrew his request. In it obedience to the laws of the country was accepted, but not membership of the PA. But the government does not want to publish it, making underground priests believe that they are obliged to join the body that proclaims the independence of the Church. In the Sino-Vatican agreement - also unpublished – membership of the PA is optional.

Pope Francis' Message for the 2019 World Mission Day highlights the announcement of the Gospel to non-Christian peoples to the ends of the world. A correction to negligence and reductionism in the ecclesial world and to the manipulations and relativism of contemporary society. Mission is not just "dialogue" and "friendship". "The spreading secularism ... prevents any genuine universal fraternity".

The message is titled "Baptized and sent: the Church of Christ on mission in the world", the same as the extraordinary missionary month that Pope Francis wanted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Benedict XV's Maximum illud. The mission "is not a product to sell - we do not proselytize - but a wealth to be given". "Missio ad gentes, always necessary for the Church".

The underground bishop, who the government had exiled in a remote mountain village, was a strong point of reference for the official and underground faithful. Despite being persecuted, he asked the faithful to follow the laws of the country. Devoted to the Virgin Mary, he founded an institute of nuns and was very careful to cultivate vocations to the priesthood. "His every word and action is a model for us and will remain in history for a thousand years."

At Mass for Pentecost, Pope Francis emphasizes that the Spirit "is the one who changes" life of the Church and the world. He creates "harmony within human beings" and also "outside, among human beings". "Without the Spirit, Jesus remains a character from the past; with the Spirit, he is a person alive in our own time. Without the Spirit, Scripture is a dead letter; with the Spirit it is a word of life. A Christianity without the Spirit is joyless moralism; with the Spirit, it is life”. "Without the Spirit, though, the Church becomes an organization, her mission becomes propaganda, her communion an exertion". "Let us pray to the Spirit every day." An appeal for peace in Sudan.

30 years ago, during the night between June 3 and 4 the military fired onto the unarmed crowd of young people. The massacre was followed by economic reforms that spread well-being to hide the military’s blood-stained hands. Another legacy is the religious revival after more than 70 years of communism and militant atheism.