Hundreds of faithful gather in the cathedral for the solemn ritual, which lasted more than two and a half hours. Presided over by Card. Tong, the celebration kicked off a Holy Year "really special for this special diocese". 7 Holy Doors will be open across the territory. PIME missionary: "We hope that there are some real gestures for those who live in difficulty. The risk is that it becomes the year of the confession and not conversion".

Hong Kong (AsiaNews) - The opening of the Jubilee of mercy "was a special moment for a special diocese. The celebration was attended by hundreds of people, the Bishop, Card. Tong and his predecessor Card. Zen. The ceremony was long, solemn and well attended. Hopefully it will bear real fruits in our society” says Fr. Giorgio Pasini, missionary and regional superior of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions in the territory.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Fr. Pasini describes the cathedral on December 12 when, after Vespers, the ceremony began: "Before entering the church passages of the four documents of Vatican II were read, and there was the blessing of those present and the Holy Door. There were many representatives of parish councils and dozens of priests. Card. Tong blessed the stoles of the confessors with the logo of the Jubilee. There were some really touching moments".

In his homily, the bishop said that "God will be a friend of sinners. And really in the four Gospels there are dozens of passages in which Jesus is full of mercy. Mercy and reconciliation are so closely connected; but reconciliation is not only between peoples and nations. It is also internal to families and individuals. These dimensions are interrelated".

The hope, says the missionary, "is that this Holy Year also give rise to concrete actions that also focus on the marginalized. Hong Kong society is very competitive, and the concept of mercy is explained well: the risk, also for the local Church, is that this will become the year of admission and not the conversion of lives and hearts. Marginalized, prisoners and needy parishes will try to pay attention to these people”.

The Hong Kong diocese has decided that the cathedral will not have the only "door” for the Jubilee. In total, in fact, there will be seven Holy Doors: these will also include the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The parish priest, Fr. Luigi Bonalumi, is himself a PIME missionary: "Card. Tong – he tells AsiaNews – will come to us Jan. 1 at three in the afternoon to open our door. We are very happy. "

The parishioners, adds Fr. Bonalumi, "are very interested in the Jubilee, because it is the first time to experience such an event in Hong Kong. There are careful and attentive in their approach to the sacraments and seek to apply mercy as requested by Pope Francis. We have to understand that the concept of mercy is present in Asian culture, especially in the Buddhist world: of course, Buddhist compassion  is different to the forgiveness of the Father, but at least it is not an unknown concept ".

The Jubilee, the PIME missionary concludes, "can lead to a greater awareness in the world and in Hong Kong: here we feel that something is happening in the field of social responsibility. We, as a parish, have decided to dedicate the entire Holy Year to the spiritual works of mercy: some within the diocesan Caritas and others in the missions of Africa or Asia".

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