HONG KONG (SE): Christian unity is not achieved through structures or shared activities alone, but through a deep oneness in Christ, Father Christophor Chor Yuk-wa said during the Ecumenical Prayer Evening held at Ward Memorial Methodist Church on January 24, marking this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
“Unity does not mean forming an organisation or simply joining efforts in an activity. Rather, it is about oneness in Christ,” Father Chor said, urging believers to live out the light of Christ through personal spiritual growth and faithful witness. The theme for this year’s observance was drawn from Ephesians 4:4—“one body and one Spirit.”
The prayer evening was attended by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, chairperson of the Diocesan Ecumenical Commission; Father Joseph Chan Wing-chiu, vicar general; Archbishop Andrew Chan Au-ming of the Anglican Church; Bishop Jackson Yeung Yau-chi of the Lutheran Church; Father Dawoud Hanna of the Coptic Church; and leaders from other Christian denominations.
The gathering was co-organised by the Church Unity and Relations Committee of the Hong Kong Christian Council and the Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Ecumenical Commission, with support from the Joint Ecumenical Working Team.
In his homily, Father Chor said that the foundation of Christian unity is God himself. He noted that the seven qualities named in Ephesians—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God—ultimately point to God as the centre and source of all creation. “Through receiving the same Spirit, believers can transcend their divisions and become brothers and sisters in Christ,” he said.
At the same time, he acknowledged that living unity is an ongoing spiritual struggle requiring both the guidance of the Holy Spirit and personal commitment. He observed that contemporary Christians can become overly focused on external ministries, sometimes leading to conflict, while neglecting prayer and inner spiritual formation. “Prayer is essential and requires intentional time,” he stressed.
“Christians are called to demonstrate resilience and hope through their lives, embodying the light of Christ in the face of division,” Father Chor said.
Father Chor said that the foundation of Christian unity is God himself. He noted that the seven qualities named in Ephesians—one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God—ultimately point to God as the centre and source of all creation
Following the homily, participants were invited to approach the altar one by one to receive a scarf bearing the words “You are called” from Church leaders, symbolising the shared mission of all Christians to spread God’s love. The evening concluded with the congregation reciting the Lord’s Prayer together, followed by a joint blessing and commissioning by the Church leaders.
This year’s theme was developed collaboratively by the Armenian Apostolic Church, together with Catholic and Evangelical communities. Armenia became a Christian nation as early as 301AD, and its Church has endured repeated persecution, most notably during the Armenian Genocide of 1915–1916, when clergy and laity were targeted and churches destroyed, resulting in the deaths of more than one million Armenians.
Leading the liturgy, Father Aloysius Mak Ying-kin said the steadfast faith and martyrdom of the Armenian people continues to inspire Christians to confess Christ courageously and to preserve unity in times of trial.
As part of Unity Week, a Joint Ecumenical Communion Service for Christian leaders and co-workers was held on January 22 at Truth Lutheran Church in Kowloon, led by Reverend Wong Ka-fai of the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China.
On Unity Sunday, January 18, churches across Hong Kong were encouraged to pray together and exchange pulpits. Reverend Tim Lam Chun of the Methodist Church preached at St. Margaret Mary’s Church, Happy Valley, on January 17, while Father Edward Hsueh Kwan Ho delivered the homily at the Methodist Church in Wan Chai on January 18.
Upcoming ecumenical activities include a worship service on March 7 at All Saints’ Cathedral, Mong Kok, organised by the Anglican Church, with the theme “Come! I Will Give You Rest” [Matthew 11:28–30].
A Passover dinner will follow on March 20 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Kowloon, with the participation of Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. An ecumenical art exhibition is also planned later in the year at Saint Francis University.
