Friday, January 20, 2012

China: Mgr. Savio Hon Tai-fai asks for the release of his brothers

The Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples has asked the government to intervene, claiming this would also be crucial for the country’s image.

“China should free the bishops and priests who are currently under arrest because it would also be good for China’s image.” 

This was how Mgr. Savio Hon Tai-fai, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, commented on the campaign launched by AsiaNews agency for the release of the bishops and priests who disappeared after they were arrested by the police or imprisoned in concentration camps.

He underlined that despite the fact that the government is not giving any answers either to the Holy See or to diplomats or to friends of the Vatican and China, it is important that “they are not forgotten.” 

Mgr. Hon, who is from Hong Kong, said he was “proud of their testimony. I am Chinese and seeing this testimony by bishop brothers of mine, fills me with joy and comfort.” 

“These martyrs – he added – make our evangelisation task fertile. These individuals will always be seen as models of heroism by all faithful throughout the world.”