HONG KONG (SE): In a spirit of pastoral care and unity, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, made a pastoral visit to Manchester, the United Kingdom, on July 14 to support and encourage the city’s growing Chinese-speaking Catholic community. The visit brought together faithful from across Northwest England and other parts of the UK, reaffirming their shared mission in faith and communion.
The highlight of the visit was a Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by Cardinal Stephen at St. Patrick’s Church in Collyhurst, concelebrated by Bishop John Arnold of the Diocese of Salford, who had previously visited Hong Kong in 2023 to explore pastoral collaboration for the growing number of Hong Kong migrants.
Concelebrants also included Father Philip Sumner, chaplain to the Greater Manchester Chinese Catholic community; Canon Paul Daly, parish priest of St. Patrick’s; Canon Daniel McHugh of the Diocese of Birmingham; and Father Martin Collins of St. Mary’s Church, Manchester.
Cardinal Stephen also heard confessions and met members of Manchester’s Chinese-speaking Catholic community alongside representatives from similar communities in Liverpool, Warrington, and Scotland.
Francis Law and Savio Chan, convenor and vice convenor of the Hong Kong Catholic Migrants Pastoral Coordination Group set up last July, also took part in the meeting.
Everyone here has a fresh start. God is with you as you seek a spirit of unity and togetherness—and that is the greatest blessing
Cardinal Stephen
The dinner gathering which followed provided a space for fellowship, mutual support, and deepening bonds.
In his Cantonese homily, Cardinal Stephen offered words of hope and encouragement, acknowledging the challenges and opportunities of starting anew in a foreign land. “Everyone here has a fresh start. God is with you as you seek a spirit of unity and togetherness—and that is the greatest blessing,” he said.
He emphasised that the Church’s mission today is to bear witness to unity in plurality, where people from various backgrounds gather to proclaim a shared faith.
The cardinal also spoke about the role of empathy in communication. “True dialogue does not mean agreement in everything,” he said, “but cultivating a heart of empathy that leads to mutual understanding.”
He noted that he has sometimes been categorised as “pro-China” or “pro-Beijing” due to certain interactions, yet he believes such misunderstanding opens space for listening and bridge-building.
“As Hong Kong people, we can be a bridge. We need to engage with empathy—not with mockery or hostility—and we also hope others will try to understand us,” the cardinal added.
He stressed that such engagement does not compromise core Christian values: “The Church must always uphold its boundaries of faith. The bottom line is not to be crossed.”
Cardinal Stephen also highlighted the Light Up Fund—a Church initiative working with Hong Kong’s Correctional Services Department to accompany and support young people who were imprisoned. The cardinal presented the project as an example of how communication and compassion can lead to healing and renewal, even in complex circumstances.
As Hong Kong people, we can be a bridge. We need to engage with empathy—not with mockery or hostility—and we also hope others will try to understand us
Cardinal Stephen
A growing, faithful community
Speaking with the Sunday Examiner, Li Pui-wai McNicholls, coordinator of the Manchester Chinese-speaking Catholic community, shared her gratitude. “The cardinal’s visit has brought great joy. Many were eager to participate and volunteered their time to prepare for this special day. I am truly thankful for his presence.”
Father Sumner, who has long ministered to the community, said the visit was a tremendous privilege and evidence of Cardinal Stephen’s ongoing concern for Hong Kong migrants.
In November 2023, the cardinal had assigned Paris Foreign Missions Father Bruno Lepeu, to England for six months to assess the pastoral needs of Hong Kong Catholics settled in Manchester and nearby areas.
Over the past three years, the community has grown significantly—from just 35 attendees to more than 250 regularly attending Mass every second Sunday.
The 73-year-old Father Sumner expressed concern for the future. “I am hoping for a Cantonese-speaking priest from Hong Kong to join us and help support this growing community,” he said.
He shared his own journey in the ministry, which began after the retirement of Father Zhang Jingxian, a Mandarin-speaking priest who had served the community from 1991 to 1997.
Feeling it would be unfair to continue Mass entirely in English, Father Sumner took it upon himself to learn parts of the liturgy in Cantonese using romanised text and audio guides.
“My Cantonese hasn’t improved much over the years,” he said humbly, “but the community has always been incredibly appreciative.”
Yet the challenges remain. Many priests, including Father Sumner, attempt to celebrate parts of the Mass in Cantonese, but face difficulties when it comes to hearing confessions or providing deeper spiritual accompaniment. The need for Cantonese-speaking clergy in the UK is increasingly urgent.
Cardinal Stephen’s visit, rooted in pastoral love and missionary hope, served as a sign of solidarity from the Diocese of Hong Kong to Hong Kong Catholics abroad—reaffirming their identity, unity, and ongoing journey of faith.
