HONG KONG (SE): Approximately 300 people gathered at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Tai Po on November 27 for a memorial Mass led by parish priest, Immaculate Heart of Mary Father Jean Sylvere Mbuela Pfuti. The service was dedicated to the victims and injured from the Wang Fuk Court fire that occurred the previous afternoon. The Mass was concelebrated by assistant parish priest, Father Joseph Jia Deili and Father Aloysius Mak.
Parish secretary, Polly Chan, reported that by the morning of November 28, at least three parishioners were known to have lost their lives in the fire, including two elderly women and a woman in her 40s. Additionally, a young man is still unaccounted for.
In response to the tragedy, the parish opened its doors to provide shelter and assistance to affected families. On November 27, two families took refuge there with all members safe.
Father Pfuti emphasised the importance of prayers for the victims, asking for peace for the deceased, comfort for the injured, and healing for those traumatised by the event.
He expressed profound sadness at the loss of life and acknowledged the difficulty in finding words to console those who suddenly lost their homes or loved ones. He reminded attendees that while fire can take away lives, homes, and security, it cannot separate them from God, urging everyone to look to God for strength.
At the end of the Mass, the congregation made a prayer for God’s mercy on the souls of those killed in the incident.
Members of the Diocesan Youth Commission distributed leaflets about emotional support services from Caritas after the Mass.
On the same night, prayer services were also held in remembrance of the victims at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Wan Chai, St. Jude’s Parish in North Point, St. Joseph’s Parish in Kowloon Bay, and the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception on Caine Road. Services will continue at various parishes in the coming days.
