Hong Kong's bishop appeals to "all sides" to end violence in the former British colony's central district. Urging Catholics "to fervently pray" in the hope that the "Lord will lead us out of the present impasse," he reiterates call for electoral reform. Meantime, seven police officers are arrested for their role in October's violence.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - As clashes continue in Mongkok, in the southern part of Kowloon Peninsula, Card John Tong Hon has made on appeal to "all sides" to use rationality, respect for the rule of law and peace rather than violence to continue the process of electoral reform.

In a press release, the bishop of Hong Kong writes, "Regarding the conflict and confrontation now taking place in Mongkok, I earnestly call upon all sides to respect the rule of law and to adopt attitudes of self-restraint, non-violence and rationality, so that Hong Kong may enjoy a long-lasting peace and continue to devote itself to the electoral reform."

Equally, the bishop issued "an urgent appeal to all Hong Kong Catholics to fervently pray for our society in the hope that our Lord will lead us out of the present impasse."

The ongoing violence in Mongkok has left a few people with minor injuries and more than 120 arrests. Those detained include student movement leaders like Joshua Wong from Scholarism, a group representing high school students, and Lester Shum, from the University Students Federation.

In a different but related case, seven police officers were arrested for their role in violent clashes last October.

Speaking at the 2014AsiaNews International Symposium, Hong Kong's bishop emeritus Card Joseph Zen announced his intention to "surrender to the police" for taking part in a recent "act of civil disobedience in occupying public space for a day and a night."

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