Editorial | Hong Kong’s new bishop will have to walk a tightrope
- Stephen Chow must balance his religious beliefs with the realities of today’s politics
Catholics account for just over 5 per cent of Hong Kong’s population. They remain polarised following the anti-government unrest of 2019 and the imposition of the national security law.
But their church is still credited with historically important influence disproportionate to its numbers, not least because senior officials can usually be found among its followers. The appointment by the Holy See of a new bishop of Hong Kong has therefore been keenly awaited, particularly because the post has lain vacant for more than two years.
The choice of Stephen Chow Sau-yan, a Jesuit theologian and educational psychiatrist who has headed the local Society of Jesus since 2018, has been welcomed as “prudent” and “sensible”. In other words, this is not seen as the time for activist pro-democracy prelates like former Hong Kong bishop Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun.
Chow says he will unify the divided Catholic community with active dialogue. But unity does not mean uniformity and there should be room for people to respect pluralism and to communicate well, which suggests the church will uphold a key value of a vibrant civil society.
Both Beijing and the Vatican apparently found Chow acceptable, which may account for him finally accepting the appointment after receiving a personal note from Pope Francis, having first declined.
