Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – Youth education and the current economic crisis are the most pressing concerns among leaders of the 6 religious communities in Hong Kong. In their joint Message of the Chinese New Year, they state that young people risk being “drugged” by internet and the volume of “corrupt information” that marks their spirit. The problem is also accentuated by a lack of “education in morals” that even leads to a rejection of authority, even their parents authority. The religious leaders underline that this represents a betrayal of traditional Chinese culture.
The message also speaks of the current economic crisis that is pushing many people in Hong Kong to suicide. The religious leaders, “deeply saddened” by this situation, are urging all of the charitable organisations to “open their doors” and “respond to this emergency”: they trust in the “warmth” of the Hong Kong people and they affirm that “A mere drop to quench thirst will taste like sweet dew”.
The message concludes with the assurance of prayer for “a return to prosperity and peace on the earth”.
The message is signed by Card. Joseph Zen, Catholic Archbishop of Hong Kong; Rev.Thomas Ho of the Christian Council (protestant); Tong Yun Kai, president of the Confucian Academy; Tong Wai Ki, of Hong Kong Taoist Association; Ven. Kwok Kwong, of the Buddhist Association; Ayub Yuet Che Yin, of the Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association.