East Asia youth meeting organised by the Taizé Community ends (Photos)

Some 300 young people from China, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan attended the event. For Grace (from China), the discovery of the cross made her feel closer to God. The theme of the gathering was ‘The courage of mercy’.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) – The East Asia youth meeting organised by the Taizé Community on Cheung Chau Island ended yesterday.

Eight months in the making, the gathering brought together 300 young people from different parts of Asia: 100 from mainland China, 30 from South Korea, 25 from Japan and the others from Hong Kong.

The topic of the meeting was ‘The courage of mercy’ and participants took part in work activities, told their stories and held moments of silence.

Fr Paul Kam, one of the host priests, is involved with youth in Hong Kong. He said that one of the event’s goals was to promote unity between Catholics and Protestants. Hong Kong was chosen to facilitate the arrival of young people from China.

Brother Han-yol, of the Taizé Community, said that next year’s meeting will also be held in Hong Kong.

Many young Chinese came here without knowing precisely the kind of meeting they would be participating in. They were invited by their priest or some member of the sister Churches (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Macau).

Grace Shijiazhuang (Hebei), said that before coming here she "felt God very far from her life", but when she found the cross, "with tears in her eyes," she felt very close to God.

Miki from Guangzhou stressed that she learnt much more about herself through prayer, and meeting many new people who attended the event.

Ji Sun, from South Korea, acknowledged that "before my faith was weak. After this meeting I feel that I am stronger."