Pope s regret was "not to have the chance to visit China", Bishop Zen says
Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - Bishop Joseph Zen praised Pope John Paul II as a great man who "had a predilection for the small and the weak, who defended justice and promoted charity". The Bishop believes that one of the Pope's regrets was "not having had the chance to visit China".
Hours after Pope John Paul II passed away, Msgr Zen, Bishop of Hong Kong, held a press conference at the Cathedral Building, in the early morning of April 3, to share his appreciation of the Holy Father with Hong Kong people.
The Pope has ruled in an era in which "there is much confusion of ideas, and errors are easily camouflaged as truth", Mgsr. Zen. He added that "the Holy Father was not afraid to go against the tide; he dispelled obscuring clouds and let the splendour of truth shine on us".
The Catholic community is going to celebrate a Requiem Mass for John Paul II April 4 evening, with the Bishop will be the main celebrant of the mass. The Bishop also encouraged all parishes in the Diocese to remember the Pope in all Masses today.
During the press conference, Bishop Zen said that John Paul II "followed his flock around the world" and "certainly one of his regrets was not having had the chance to visit China even his attempt to visit Hong Kong failed." The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong's plan to invite the Pope to visit Hong Kong, as a conclusion for the Asian Synod in 1999, was turned down by the Hong Kong Government, influenced by Beijing.
The Bishop expressed a prayer to the Holy Father, who is now with the Father in Heaven: "bless your flock in China and may the suffering on your deathbed complete your prayers and implore the grace that the Chinese people may one day know Jesus Christ and be converted to God."
The death of John Paul II , a champion for the dignity of human being and a supporter of democracy, was a shocking event for the Catholics here. The Diocesan Weekly Gong Jiaobao published a special issue, paying tribute to the Pope, stressing his affection towards the Chinese people. (KCW)
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14/04/2005
