Hong Kong youth: What these days have taught us. Thank God for Msgr. Ha

John Man, a 24 year old recent graduate of Hong Kong University and protagonist of the marches against the law on extradition, speaks of government hypocrisy and sadly denounces the "weak" official intervention of the diocese. Msgr. Joseph Ha Chi-shing, auxiliary bishop, has won youth back to the Church and garnered the appreciation of non-believers.

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The tug-of-war over the extradition law has revealed the hypocrisy of the head of the executive, the dictatorship of the Chinese communist party, the ridicule of pro-China parliamentarians, maintains John Man, a 24 year old recent graduate of Hong Kong University who participated in the march of 9 June, with a million people and that of 16 June with 2 million or more people, especially young people. John, who has been following the debate on the law since last February, also makes another point: "where is our Church?" In his opinion, only the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace remained sensitive to these issues. Unlike the, "weak" and "powerless" official statements of the diocese in the days of the great demonstrations, auxiliary bishop, Msgr. Joseph Ha, remained faithful and close to the young (see photo), like a true pastor who "stands where his sheep are". His testimony re-conquered the young people of the Church and garnered appreciation from non-believers.

Meanwhile, after days of silence and official communiqués, this morning the head of the executive, Carrie Lam, personally apologized for her management of the controversial law. She promised that she will listen to the population, especially the young, more but she has not resigned, despite the prolonged public calls for her to step down.

From the conflict that arose over the amendments to the extradition law, the people of Hong Kong recognized the hypocrisy of the head of the executive, who is not appointed by democratic election; the imperialism of the Chinese Communist Party, which controls the government; the ridicule of pro-government and pro-China parliamentarians. In these difficult times for Hong Kong, where is our Church? The conflict began last February and became red-hot in April, and only the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace kept an eye on it, explaining to the faithful the danger of those amendments.

In June, the march of one million people pushed things to the highest point and after the bloodshed, two million people took part in a demonstration, creating a new page in Hong Kong's history.

Unfortunately, it must be said with sadness, the diocese of Hong Kong has maintained a very weak and low profile role in the midst of this social conflict. It limited itself to issuing some statements devoid of any vigor, and one elderly prelate, condemning the violence, only focused on the demonstrators who threw bricks at the police.

As a young Catholic protester I wonder: "Where is the Church?" Thank God, he sent us the Franciscan, Msgr. Joseph Ha Chi-shing to answer the question. He told the young demonstrators that "where the sheep are, the shepherd is there. The pastor should not only be with the sheep, but also guide them ”. As Christians, we not only "want", but "we need" a pastor like that. With the testimony of Msgr. Ha, the Church has not only regained our generation, but has also received appreciation from non-believers. This means being "salt and light" [See Matthew 5, 13-16].