HONG KONG (SE: The Diocese of Hong Kong launched its 80th anniversary celebrations in 2026 with the “Love – a Spring of Hope” event on the afternoon of January 18 at Chater Garden, Central. Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., Bishop of Hong Kong, opened the event, noting that the diocese had the “profound blessing to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its establishment as a diocese in 1946.”
The cardinal said that it is a “sincere desire to celebrate the anniversary with a prayerful and meaningful event, blessing Hong Kong… Observing that hope does not disappoint, he added the door of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is always open for anyone “whose heart is wearied and overburdened.” Cardinal Stephen welcomed special guests Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, the pro-prefect for the Section for First Evangelisation and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, and John Lee, the chief executive of the Hong Kong SAR.
Also in attendance were Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing; Father Joseph Chan Wing Chiu, vicar general; Father Paul Kam Po Wai, vicar general; Father Peter Choy Wai Man, vicar general; Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, secretary for Development; Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, secretary for the Civil Service; Alice Mak Mei-kuen, secretary for Home and Youth Affairs.
Cardinal Chow also welcomed leaders of other Christian denominations, clergy, religious, and fellow Hong Kong residents.
In his remarks, John Lee highlighted the diocese’s enduring presence and its recognised impact on Hong Kong’s growth.He encouraged ongoing partnership between the diocese, government, and people to foster a harmonious and united society.
The prayer service included a New Testament reading in Chinese and English, and prayers of the faithful in Cantonese, English, Filipino, French, Putonghua, Korean, and Vietnamese.
In his homily, Cardinal Tagle reflected that blessing is “the face of God shining on his people.” He observed that the blessing to Hong Kong is the face of God shining upon it.
“Unless we acquire the face of Jesus, we will not be a blessing to anyone. When you see the face of Jesus, look at him!” Cardinal Tagle exhorted.
“Show your face; face to face. And hopefully the light of the face of Jesus will shine through your face,” he said, adding, “let that be the light of blessing for the whole of Hong Kong.”
The celebration included lively performances by the Catholic Rosary Evangelical Dance Group, the Wheat Ears Theater, children from St. Margaret Mary’s Church, and the Diocesan English Youth Band.
The event concluded with the Cantonese rendition of the diocese’s 80th anniversary theme song.
