HONG KONG (SE): A pastoral visit by Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong, to Manchester from July 14 to 15, brought spiritual encouragement and renewed unity to Chinese Catholic communities in the UK, particularly among migrants from Hong Kong adjusting to life abroad.
Upon his arrival in Manchester, Cardinal Stephen was warmly received at the airport by members of the Manchester Chinese Catholic Community and the youth group, Manlouth Companion. His first stop was Wardley Hall, the residence of Bishop John Arnold of the Diocese of Salford. As a gesture of gratitude for the warm hospitality extended to him, Cardinal Stephen presented Bishop Arnold with a painting of Our Lady of China.
The cardinal spent time with the Laudato Si’ Centre, an initiative launched in 2019 to promote integral ecology and environmental responsibility. There, he spent time engaging with young members and learning about the centre’s mission. As a token of welcome, Bishop Arnold gifted visitors with honey harvested from the centre’s garden.
At a luncheon hosted at Wardley Hall, Cardinal Stephen met with local priests to discuss ways to enhance pastoral collaboration and community outreach. Later, he visited St. Patrick’s Church, a vibrant centre for the Chinese Catholic faithful in Manchester, where he spent the afternoon meeting members from various regions across the UK. Discussions touched on themes such as evangelisation, cultural integration, and the pastoral challenges faced by the growing population of Hong Kong migrants.
A newsletter from the Manchester Chinese Catholic Community noted the cardinal’s attentiveness to the concerns shared by parishioners and his consistent encouragement to remain united in faith amid the unfamiliar challenges of life in a new country.
Imelda Lam, a catechist from Birmingham, expressed her appreciation for the cardinal’s presence. “Cardinal Stephen listened with empathy and urged us to nurture the faith community with love and commitment,” she said, adding that his visit was “a grace-filled reminder of our shared mission.”
Cardinal Stephen listened with empathy and urged us to nurture the faith community with love and commitment
Imelda Lam
The visit also provided spiritual nourishment through the celebration of the sacrament of reconciliation, with 16 faithful making their confessions. The day concluded with a solemn Mass at St. Patrick’s Church, attended by around 200 parishioners, including 30 members of a newly formed Chinese choir. Drawing from readings from the Book of Exodus, Cardinal Stephen reflected on how fear can lead to division and called the faithful to foster mutual understanding and cooperation in the midst of cultural diversity.
Following the liturgy, Cardinal Stephen and Bishop Arnold joined community members for a fellowship dinner at a local Chinese restaurant.
On the following morning, July 15, Cardinal Stephen presided at a private Mass at Wardley Hall, concelebrated with Bishop Arnold. This was followed by informal conversations with local clergy and lay leaders. Participants expressed deep gratitude for the visit, which they described as both spiritually uplifting and pastorally affirming.
