The new archbishop of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Diocese said at his installation yesterday that politics is not on the church's agenda.Observers say the middle-lane approach indicates the Anglican diocese intends to keep smooth relations with both Beijing and the SAR government.
Paul Kwong, 56, told parishioners that his church will not get involved in political movements, including the call for universal suffrage, but will continue to work with the government to better the lives of the people.
He said societal atmosphere was much happier now, but many problems such as poverty still needed to be addressed.
Solutions, for which the government and society must join hands, will not come quickly, Kwong said.
"As a church, we will not get involved with the political movement," he said. "We look at society as a whole to see what the church can do for the people."
The installation ceremony at St John's Cathedral was attended by dignitaries such as Catholic Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan-lung and Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing.
The archbishop was elected in February by the diocese of Hong Kong Island and Macau, in succession to longtime archbishop Peter Kong Kit- kwong, who retired last December.
Kwong's great grandfather was one of the first Chinese to be appointed an Anglican priest in the last century.
City University political scientist James Sung Lap-kung said the diocese's moderate stance was hardly surprising given the conservative atmosphere in the religious sector.
Sung said it was not certain whether Kwong was deliberately trying to take a different stance from the outspoken Zen on social and political issues.
Taking the middle road was common for the Anglican church, which tends to adopt collaborative relationships with local governments, he said.
Sung said that, under the colonial government, close ties with England had led the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui diocese to a more privileged position over the Catholic diocese, which included land for schools and its charity groups.
To continue to enjoy this privilege, the diocese will have to maintain a harmonious relationship with both Beijing and the Hong Kong government, Sung said.
Because the Roman Catholic Church gets its authority from Rome, Sung said, it was no surprise the Catholic diocese was often at odds with secular authority, especially in light of the lack of diplomatic relations between China and the Vatican.
The difficulties have put great strain on the local Catholic diocese, despite efforts by the 75-year-old Zen to go among the people, Sung said.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce