Hong Kong’s newly appointed Cardinal Stephen Chow says elevation has given him ‘new mission’, calls for greater reconciliation in city
- Hongkongers need ‘chance to take a break, reconcile and calm down’, which will require ‘cooperation of many parties’, Chow says
- Crucial to give young people hope, particularly those who have committed offences, he adds
Hong Kong’s newly appointed Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan has said the elevation has given him a “new mission” and called for greater reconciliation in the city.
Chow, who remains a Catholic bishop pending his appointment by the papacy at the end of September, said he felt a sense of responsibility with his new role.
“It feels like this is a mission given to me by God through the Pope,” he said.
Chow, widely seen as politically neutral, also highlighted the importance of healing divisions in society.
“I think Hong Kong should have more reconciliation, so Hong Kong people can have a chance to take a break, reconcile and calm down. This is what I hope to do,” he said. “This will require the cooperation of many parties to happen.”
Asked whether he would continue to call for lenient treatment of those involved in the 2019 anti-government protests, Chow said it was crucial to give young people hope, particularly those who had committed offences.
The 63-year-old was meeting the press for the first time since his elevation to cardinal was revealed by Pope Francis on Sunday during his weekly public appearance at St Peter’s Square in Rome.
