Hong Kong, religious leaders call for calm from youth and government

The "Colloquium of the six religious leaders" of the Territory invites the population to "exercise restraints" in the face of any act that may cause violence.  Likewise, religious representatives ask the government to renounce committing actions that could "exacerbate" the current situation.


Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Young people and demonstrators took to the streets to defend Hong Kong's constitutional freedoms must "exercise restraints by voicing their grievances in a rational, peaceful manner".  

In the same way, the executive and the police of the Territory "not to resort to any acts of violence which are not only against law and  order, but also undermine peace and social harmony.".  

This is what the representatives of the six major religions of Hong Kong are asking for in an appeal published following the clashes and demonstrations in recent days.

The "Colloquium of the Six Religious Leaders" of the Territory is a body that brings together the leaders of Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, Protestant Christianity, Taoism and Catholicism (in the Chinese world, Catholics and Protestants are considered members of different religions).  

Currently, the representative of the Catholic Church is Card.  John Tong Hon, bishop emeritus of Hong Kong appointed by Pope Francis Apostolic administrator of the diocese awaiting a new prelate.

In the document, the leaders ask the population to "not to resort to any acts of violence which are not only against law and order, but also undermine peace and social harmony."

The former British colony, the signatories warn, "not to resort to any acts of violence which are not only against law and order, but also undermine peace and social harmony.”