HONG KONG (SE): At the Australian lectures on bridge-building, Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., Bishop of Hong Kong, emphasised that dialogue is possible. During his visit to Sydney and Melbourne this September, he met with Chinese Catholic communities and shared reflections on synodality. He also engaged with young people, listening to their life experiences and encouraging them to discern God’s will in their respective situations.
The two lectures were held at the hall of the Cathedral of the Diocese of Parramatta in Sydney on September 15, and at Newman College, University of Melbourne, on September 16. Both shared the same theme of “Bridge-Building.”
Empathy makes
dialogue possible
The lecture highlighted the importance of dialogue, empathy and bridge-building, not only for the Church but also for society at large. Cardinal Stephen emphasised that empathy is the foundation of listening, making dialogue possible. He explained that empathy involves both rational and emotional dimensions, enabling the Church to become a listening church. With empathy, ‘’we can meet in the dialogue and start with a common, shared humanity,” he said.
He spoke about the current situation of the Hong Kong Diocese, particularly concerning young people in the Church. He noted that after the social events of 2019, many young people felt disappointed with the Church and did not return to the Church. These were passionate young people, and fortunately, some of them are coming back now. He acknowledged that the Church was in a challenging situation during that time. “When we are being sincere with them and share with them the difficulty, many of them would listen… They would try to find out how to approach this together.’’ He emphasised the importance of being willing to apologise when facing vulnerability and shortcomings, as this can serve as a model for young people— helping them understand that everyone makes mistakes and encouraging them to respond with empathy toward others who are still struggling.
The situation of the Church in China was one of the concerns raised during the lectures. Cardinal Stephen explained the complex circumstances surrounding the Catholic Church in China. He suggested that, beyond the provisional agreement between China and the Holy See regarding the appointment of bishops, the Diocese of Hong Kong could engage in pastoral exchanges and learning for Christian living with the Catholic communities in mainland China.
During the visit, Cardinal Stephen met with young Chinese Catholics in Melbourne at the John Paul II Centre on September 17. University students and young working adults expressed their concerns about how to live a better life of faith. The Cardinal encouraged them to be outward-looking, to serve others in the spirit of the Gospel, and to accompany those who do not yet have faith. In terms of spiritual growth, he emphasised the importance of spirituality and discernment for seeking direction in life.
Visiting Chinese
Catholic Communities
The seven-day visit commenced on September 12, with the first event being a visit to St. Dominic’s Church in the Archdiocese of Sydney on September 13. After delivering a lecture on “Ignatian Spirituality and Synodality,” Cardinal Stephen presided over a Thanksgiving Mass. He encouraged the Cantonese and Mandarin-speaking communities of the parish to live out unity and communion within the Church and the wider community, bearing witness to the Gospel and the spirit of synodality.
The following day, he celebrated Sunday Mass at St. Monica’s Church in the Diocese of Parramatta. That day, September 14, happened to be Pope Leo XIV’s 70th birthday. During the luncheon after Mass, the Cardinal recorded a short birthday greeting video with the faithful to sing the Pope a Cantonese birthday song.
After the two lectures, he visited the Chinese Catholic community in Melbourne on September 17. At a gathering after Mass, participants discussed topics such as the need for Chinese-language faith formation materials and strategies for engaging the next generation in Chinese-language church activities.
During the visit, Cardinal Stephen also had the opportunity to meet and share with Bishop Vincent Long of the Diocese of Parramatta and Archbishop Peter Comensoli of Sydney.
Dom Helder Camara Lecture aims at re-engaging Catholics
To conclude the trip, Cardinal Stephen expressed his hope that more people would come to understand the possibility of dialogue. He noted that overseas Catholics often learn about the Church in China through the media or some Key Opinion Leaders. By sharing his own experiences, he hoped to offer another perspective for understanding the Church in China. While he acknowledged that his experience does not represent the whole picture, it nonetheless serves as a reference. He emphasised that dialogue requires patience and cannot be rushed—it is about building long-term relationships. He expressed gratitude to the organisers for the invitation and to all who attended the two lectures.
This was the Cardinal’s first visit to Chinese communities in Australia. He was pleased to see Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking Catholics participating in activities together, witnessing unity in diversity for the next generation. He also observed that Chinese Catholic communities are welcoming new members and are not ageing significantly, which presents an opportunity to live out the spirituality of synodality—reaching beyond the Church to help more people encounter the Gospel of God’s love and life, and to live out the mission of being “Pilgrims of Hope” in the community and the world.
Cardinal Stephen’s visit was in response to an invitation from the ‘’Dom Helder Camara Lecture’’. This annual lecture series was founded 40 years ago by Br. Mark O’Connor, FMS, to encourage Catholics to re-engage with Church life. Over the years, it has evolved into a platform for the exchange of Catholic ideas.
Photos of the trip:
Bridging hearts and horizons — Cardinal Stephen’s Australia visit in photos
