Hong Kong (AsiaNews) The Hong Kong diocese is preparing to host the fourth Asian Youth Day, slated for July 28-August 5. The Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) is organizing the week of activities which will be based on the theme: "Youth, Hope of Asian Families".
The first meeting held to organize the event drew 21 representatives from 14 countries, including Japan, South Korea, Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines and Turkmenistan the first Central Asian country to participate. Members from the Hong Kong Ad Hoc Committee led by Bishop Rolando Tria-Tirona reported on preparatory work and representatives from other countries shared their expectations of the event. A Japanese priest present at the meeting, Fr Nobuaki Tanaka, said he agreed with the chosen theme, adding that adults must work with youth and listen patiently to their views. Adults are at an advantage because of their experience, continued the priest, so they had to steer clear of judging youth, seeking instead to understand and to help them, thus enabling them to develop their creativity.
At the end of the three-day meeting from 13 to 16 January, Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun celebrated Mass and during the homily, he recalled his own vocation and thanked and encouraged all those who put themselves at the disposal of youth and of God. He also thanked the Hong Kong diocese for accepting to host the event.
