Hong Kong (AsiaNews/Sunday Examiner) "We take part [in the June 4 and July 1 activities] with no hatred in our hearts," said Bishop Zen," because the pope reminds us that justice requires forgiveness. In a very critical moment for the territory, which sees its autonomy and democracy compromised because of interference of Beijing, and a few days before the anniversary of the massacre in Tiananmen, the demonstrations in defence of democracy acquire a deeper meaning for the Catholic Church too.
Bishop Zen invited Catholics to join the peaceful activities in order to defend freedom and democracy. As many pro-democracy movements of the former Britannic colony, the Bishop an unwavering and fearless voice in defence of fundamental rights links the democratic demands in Hong Kong to those of the students who were killed 15 years ago in Tiananmen Square. "I encourage the faithful to join the activities of June 4 and July 1 because they are standing for justice and human rights."
On the different stance of Sik Kok Kwong, chairman of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, who invited people not to participate in the July 1 democratic movement rally asking for the election of the chief executive (governor) and the universal suffrage, Bishop Zen said: "We know we have differences on this point [politics and religion]." He continued saying that "while we contribute to the social and spiritual betterment of society in different ways, we always hold to the tenet of 'harmony in diversity.' Even should our positions differ, we respect each other."
Bishop Zen said that he trusts that the demonstrations will be peaceful and that he hopes that "the truth of what happened on 4 June 1989 will be brought to light."
For this purpose, every year the Catholic Church in Hong Kong organises cultural activities in various schools to educate young people who often do not have a detailed knowledge of what happened on 4 June 1989 "to arouse awareness about June 4,". Or Yan-yan, project officer of the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), said that it is important to educate people to help them relate Hong Kong's current situation with the June 4 movement and arouse the young people to find out the similarities between the two: "The leaders considered the students' democracy movement as an insurrection, just as they view Hong Kong people's opposition to the proposed Article 23 legislation and the demand for universal suffrage as anti-China." (ThR)