Hong
Kong Cardinal makes appeal for peace amid protests
Police and pro-democracy protestors in front of Hong Kong Police
Headquarters
30/09/2014
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(Vatican Radio) Cardinal John Tong, the Bishop of Hong
Kong, has called for peace as tens of thousands of pro-democracy
protesters extended a blockade of Hong Kong streets on Tuesday amid protests
for the city’s leader to step down.
The mostly student protesters have called for the resignation of
Leung Chun-ying after last month’s ruling from Beijing to vet candidates
wishing to run for Hong Kong's leadership in 2017.
While Leung has said Beijing would not back down in the face of
protests it has branded illegal, he also said Hong Kong police would be able to
maintain security without help from People's Liberation Army (PLA) troops from
the mainland.
Over the weekend, riot police shot pepper spray and tear gas at
protesters but withdrew on Monday.
Cardinal Tong made an appeal for peace in response to the
escalating unrest. In a statement, the cardinal called upon the government to
“put the personal safety of fellow citizens as her prime concern,
exercising restraint in deployment of force with a view to listening to
the voice of the younger generation and of citizens from all walks of life.”
He also expressed his desire “that all those who are trying to
voice out their grievances will be persistent in keeping calm. Where there is a
will, there is a way.”
“As Christians, we believe that with God as its Creator, our world
can always offer us hope,” the statement continued. “Accordingly, I would like
to ask all Christians to continue praying for the reconciliation of the
conflicting parties in Hong Kong, and for the peace and wellbeing of our
Community.”
Tuesday’s protests come one day ahead of the national holiday,
Chinese National Day.
“The atmosphere is electric,” said Fr Jim Mulroney, editor of the
Hong Kong-based weekly publication, the Sunday Examiner. In an interview
with Vatican Radio, the Columban missionary priest
“There is a great determination among the people,” he said, noting
that some estimates are that as many as 200,000 have taken to the streets.
A number of local Churches have been hosting prayer vigils, with
Mass being celebrated Monday night at the main cathedral. Churches have
remained open for the evening, Fr Mulroney said, becoming “respite centres” –
offering protestors places to eat, sleep, pray, etc.
“The Church has remained fairly politically neutral,” he said,
“but it has supported the right of the people to demonstrate, and continues to
support the right of the people to demonstrate.”
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