Christians of all faiths gathered to pray for cooperation and reconciliation among people with different democratic views, before a territory-wide rally to mark the 13th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover on July 1.
The rally was the first meeting between various pan-democratic factions since a contentious electoral reform, passed by government on June 25, led to accusations and recriminations within the groups. Franciscan Father Stephen Chan asked the congregation to pray for all people who support democracy. “The autocratic regime would profit if the democrats continue their split” warned Father Chan, who was representing the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese’s Justice and Peace Commission.Reverend Phyllis Wong also encouraged the participants to put aside hostility and mistrust of each other and search for cooperation. “When we feel perplexed and sad about the prospects of a healthy civil society, God’s love is our strength,” she said in her sermon. Among the participants, Shum Lam-chung, a Protestant in his 20s, was at the rally for the first time since it began in 1997. “I feel worried that Hong Kong might lose its freedom one day,” he said, “so I treasure any chance to express my struggle for democracy.” - UCA News
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