Excerpt from Cardinal Stephen Chow SJ’s Words of Encouragement at the 66th Annual General Meeting of the Hong Kong Central Council of Catholic Laity
Pope Francis has emphasized the importance of “Synodality”. How can the people of God—including clergy, religious, and lay faithful—journey together in the spirit of synodality? Following the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis released the encyclical “Dilexit nos” (“He Loved Us”) which called for a renewed devotion to the Sacred Heart. Through the human and divine love of Jesus Christ’s Heart, we are invited to awaken and transform both ourselves and the world. This devotion centres on the conversion of our hearts rather than systemic change. In a world increasingly driven by utilitarianism and hegemony, our hearts can easily become lost. Therefore, emphasizing “the conversion of the heart” calls us to walk together with empathy and discernment— the intrinsic qualities which characterized the early Church.
This year is the Year of Jubilee, and the theme is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The Papal decree stated that the foundation of hope is love. As we have been loved and already redeemed in love, our hope is genuine. Based on the love we have experienced, let us be filled with hope and faith, sharing God’s love with those around us, especially with people outside the Church, though this sharing is also needed within the Church.
Today’s culture is vibrant yet disconnected. Therefore, we need to change. How should we change? We need to cooperate, share our resources, and be willing to listen and learn from each other, walking together to improve our culture and bring about change, including change within the Church. Additionally, we need to walk together with other Christian denominations. During the Synod of Bishops, participants from other Christian groups shared and discerned together. In view of this, I encourage parishes to engage more with nearby Christian churches, particularly in cooperation among the faithful; simply interacting during the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is not enough.
Lent reminds us to walk together in hope. In line with the theme of this Jubilee Year, may we strengthen cooperation among the faithful, the people of God, and with other Christian communities, particularly in caring for and walking with the marginalized individuals, such as the weak and vulnerable, and the environment, who need us to speak for them. As the world becomes increasingly divided, facing the growing voices of division and hegemony, we need to walk together, bringing forth our united strength and shared will. As brothers and sisters in the Church, by listening and sharing with one another, may we draw strength from our collective experiences—the strength of unity in diversity—to resist these extreme and bullying cultures, bringing hope and passing it on to the next generation.
Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Church needs to bear witness to Jesus Christ. I encourage everyone to unite in action for evangelization. When you encounter people in need around you, please respond actively.
Sharing from the President
Sr. Blossom Lee
18 May 2025