The priest who likened Li Ka-shing to the devil has spoken of his 'feelings of betrayal' about not being consulted before the Catholic Church issued a statement of regret over his comments.
Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai stood by the remarks, which he says were made in the context of rising public anger about big business and community concern about the widening wealth gap.
In an interview with the Sunday Morning Post after saying Mass yesterday, Law said: 'My deepest sadness is the feeling of betrayal. My comments were made as part of a casual chat. As a citizen, why can't I make comments which are in accordance with the church's teaching?'
Law said that at no point during the controversy had he been asked to give evidence or been given the chance to defend himself.
'I regret how other people have expressed regret on my behalf. Why not give me an opportunity to give my account? Why should someone unrelated claim responsibility? This is something I really don't understand,' he said.
His remarks were made at a Halloween party. After pointing out that ghosts and goblins were not terrible compared with the 'real devils', Law said: 'If Li Ka-shing were here tonight he would be scared to death. He should be afraid about the last few years of his life.
