A senior cleric of the Catholic diocese apologised yesterday for any 'misunderstanding' over the handling of a controversy in which a priest likened tycoon Li Ka-shing to the devil.
But vicar-general Michael Yeung Ming-cheung denied that he had expressed regret to Li for the displeasure the remarks had caused him - contrary to a statement by the diocese last week.
In an article published in the diocese's weekly newspaper, Kung Kao Po, Yeung said he was only being 'obedient' to Bishop John Tong Hon's instructions in his handling of the affair.
'The bishop wants me to be patient, so I learned to be patient ... He told us not to talk too much and not even say who was right and who was wrong,' Yeung wrote.
'If we have mishandled it and caused more misunderstanding within and outside [the church], we sincerely apologise and will be willing to learn humbly.'
Yeung was referring to the growing discontent over the diocese's handling of remarks by Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai, who likened Li to the devil during a Halloween party on October 31 when he accused property developers of using unfair sales practices.
A member of Li's staff complained to Yeung and arranged a phone conversation between him and Li.
