CNS photo/Tyrone Siu, Reuters
「中華人民共和國國家安全法在香港特別行政區實施」
緬甸仰光總主教貌波樞機(Charles Maung Bo)呼籲為香港祈禱
本人謹代表亞洲主教團協會（Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conferences “FABC”），向全亞洲，以及全球的基督徒和不同傳統與文化背景的人們作出強烈的呼籲：請為香港，亦為中國和中國人民祈禱。
昨晚中國政府，沒有與社會大眾作有系統的磋商，就在香港強制實施了國家安全法。此法嚴重損害了市民的自由及催毀了香港在「一國兩制」的原則下享有的「高度自治」。此舉帶給香港的憲法重大的改變，並違反了中央政府於九七回歸時所作的承諾。
香港一直以來都是亞洲的珍寶，享有「東方之珠」的美譽，是東西文化相遇的地方、通往中國的大門、世界自由貿易的樞紐；迄今為止，一直享有融入了自由及創意的健康環境。
國安法本身無可厚非。每個國家都有權立法，以保障國家自身的安全。然而，立法的過程也應均衡地保護人權、人性尊嚴以及基本自由。全國人民大會在港強制施法，這嚴重削弱了香港立法會的功能及高度自治，同時也徹底地改變了香港的身分。
我因此法在香港危害到基本自由及人權而表示擔憂。此舉無疑將會減弱言論、集會、媒體以及學術自由。無庸置疑，宗教和信仰自由也將會岌岌可危。
依照許多的報告，宗教及信仰自由在中國內地正遭受自文革以來最嚴峻的箝制。儘管國安法未必會直接及即時妨礙在香港的禮儀活動，但此法對於「顛覆」、「分裂」及「勾結外國或者境外勢力」的空泛定義，結果可能將會是：教理講授被審查、燭光守夜祈禱被控罪，以及舉行禮儀的地方被視為提供抗議者庇護或援助的場所。我祈求此法不會予以政府許可，干預宗教組織內部事務，以及他們對社會大眾提供的服務。
我的主教和司鐸弟兄們要準備他們的彌撒證道，基督教的牧者要思考他們的講道，而其他的宗教領袖也必須指導他們的團體，故政府必須予以清楚的保證。宗教團體參與社會事務的自由不應受阻擾。香港特別行政區基本法的條款保證宗教自由。如今，宗教領袖是否會因宣講人性尊嚴、人權、正義、自由及真理而被判定是犯罪行為？我們從過去沉痛的經驗取得了教訓：每當自由全面性地被蠶食，宗教及信仰自由遲早也會遭殃。
香港的抗議運動於過去一年，大部分是和平的。可是，當有九千多個抗議者遭受逮捕，卻沒有一位警務人員被控告使用不合比例的武力。我們認為，依照法律，所有的人－抗議者和警務人員－一律都要承擔法律上的責任。目前最迫切的，是找出整個亂局的根本原因並對症下藥，為能作出有意義的改革及達成協議。此國安法只會使對立惡化，不會解決目前的問題。
基於上述原因，並依恃著我們信仰的眾先知、殉道者及聖人的精神，我敦促各位民眾為今天的香港祈禱。請為中國及香港的領導人祈禱，願他們尊重曾對香港市民所許下的承諾－保護人們基本的自由及權利。我懇請大家為和平而獻上禱告。
貌波樞機
亞洲主教團協會主席
2020年7月1日
葉泰浩神父 譯
2020年7月2日
(本文件以英文作成，中譯文僅供參考。如本中譯文與英文原文有任何歧異、疑義或缺漏，應以英文為準。)
CNS photo/Soe Zeya Tun, Reuters
“Law of the People’s Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”
A Call for Prayer by Cardinal Bo
On behalf of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences, I call on Christians of all traditions and people of all faiths, throughout Asia and the world, to pray for Hong Kong, and indeed for China and all her people, with great insistence.
The government of China has last night imposed a new national security law for Hong Kong. This was done without systematic consultation with the general public. This law seriously diminishes Hong Kong’s freedoms and destroys the city’s “high degree of autonomy” promised under the “One Country, Two Systems” principle. This action brings a most significant change to Hong Kong’s constitution and is offensive to the spirit and letter of the 1997 handover agreement.
Hong Kong is one of the jewels of Asia, a “Pearl of the Orient”, a crossroads between East and West, a gateway to China, a regional hub for free trade and until now has enjoyed a healthy mixture of freedom and creativity.
A national security law is not in itself wrong. Every country has a right to legislate to safeguard protect national security. However, such legislation should be balanced with protection of human rights, human dignity and basic freedoms. The imposition of the law by China’s National People’s Congress seriously weakens Hong Kong’s Legislative Council and Hong Kong’s autonomy. It radically changes Hong Kong’s identity.
I am concerned that the law poses a threat to basic freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong. This legislation potentially undermines freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, media freedom and academic freedom. Arguably, freedom of religion or belief is put at risk.
According to many reports, freedom of religion or belief in Mainland China is suffering the most severe restrictions experienced since the Cultural Revolution. Even if freedom of worship in Hong Kong is not directly or immediately affected, the new security law and its broad criminalization of “subversion”, “secession” and “colluding with foreign political forces” could result, for example, in the monitoring of religious preaching, the criminalization of candlelit prayer vigils, and the harassment of places of worship that offer sanctuary or sustenance to protesters. It is my prayer that this law will not give the government licence to interfere in the internal affairs of religious organizations and the services they provide to the general public.
Clear assurance should be given for my brother bishops and fellow priests as they prepare their homilies, Protestant clergy as they ponder their sermons, and for religious leaders of other faiths too who must instruct their communities. The participation of religious bodies in social affairs should not be disturbed. Provisions in Hong Kong’s Basic Law guarantee freedom of belief. Will religious leaders now be criminalized for preaching about human dignity, human rights, justice, liberty, truth? We have learned from heavy experience that that wherever freedom as a whole is undermined, freedom of religion or belief – sooner or later – is affected.
Over the past year there have been many protests in Hong Kong, most of them peaceful. However, while over 9,000 protesters have been arrested, while not a single police officer has been held accountable for their disproportionate brutality. We hold that all – protesters and police officers – are accountable according to the law. It is imperative that the underlying causes of unrest should be attended to, and that meaningful reforms and compromises are reached. This national security law threatens to exacerbate tensions, not to provide solutions.
For these reasons and in the spirit of the prophets, martyrs and saints of our faith, I urge people to pray for Hong Kong today. Pray for the leaders of China and Hong Kong, that they respect the promises made to Hong Kong, the promise to protect basic liberties and rights. May I urge all to pray for peace.
Cardinal Charles Maung Bo,
President, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences
1 July 2020
