天主教香港教區主教周守仁樞機2024年聖誕賀辭

圖片:香港天主教社會傳播處

聖誕節和新年是希望、愛、和平與夢想的時刻 !
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天主教會將慶祝 2025 禧年

「期待所希望的幸福,和我們偉大的天主及救主耶穌基督光榮的顯現。」 (弟鐸書 2:13) 

在我們現今的世界,希望似乎比以往更難獲得。隨著全球和地方經濟的復 蘇慢於預期,世界多處地區的戰爭哀號更趨強烈,地緣政治日益緊張,達致功能失調的心理健康問題增多、特別在青少年和長者組別,令人沮喪的關係貧窮,具破壞力的零和競爭,以及自然生態的黯淡前景。 

就是在這些令人沮喪和焦慮的現實當中,我們仍再次等待聖誕帶來的喜樂 和希望。明白聖誕節原意的人都知道,它不是世俗的商業慶節。聖誕是愛 的慶節,永遠愛著我們的天主派遣祂獨生子與我們一起走人世路,直接介 入我們人類的歷史之中。聖誕的救贖目標,是要向我們展示上主那無疆界的慈愛。 

上主的愛為祂與人之間帶來了寬恕與修和。因此,那些經驗過而又接受這 愛的人們,可以帶著明確的希望去面對生活中的挑戰和失望。這不是隨意 的一種希望,而是在今生、以至今生以後,對上主堅懈不屈和永恆的愛的 希望。是的,天主的兒子,我們的厄瑪奴耳的到來,是要給世界這個保證、尤其是當希望看似漸趨渺茫的時候。 

天主教會將慶祝 2025 禧年。事實上,禧年是每 25 年慶祝一次。這次禧年 的主題是「希望的朝聖者」,因為「望德不使人蒙羞」(羅馬書 5:5)。 我們要記得人人都只是過客;沒有人能夠永遠地活在這世上。讓我們感到 安慰的是我們相信自己正在通往另一生命,將會在永恆中與我們慈愛的創 造主、我們所愛的人、以及那些愛我們的人團聚。 

聖誕節讓我們經驗到上主慈愛的應許。因此我們朝聖者可以懷著希望,以不同的步伐甚至不同的模式,與生命和愛的源頭一起邁步,走向永恆。 

因此,透過我們的意識中的這種愛與希望,可以把愛帶到不同的團體裡 去。我們要強化這希望,它不會讓我們愛的人、跟我們合不來的人、以至 為我們是陌生的人感到失望,尤其是那些在不同的社會邊緣掙扎、感到無 用和被遺棄的人。 

我們會想到那些在戰亂地方掙扎求存而承受著似是無盡折磨的人們、那些為尋求具尊嚴的未來的流離失所者和難民、那些期待新生活的在囚人士、那些因看不到穩定前景而不敢生兒育女的夫婦,那些看不到可信的理由讓他們勾劃出希望的未來的青年,那些孤獨和被遺棄的長者,那些在醫院內 感到寂寞的病人。 

禧年有一個別具意義的傳統,就是寬免那些永遠無法償還、或未能完全償還的債務,讓借債人有機會開展新生。我們相信所有人都在分享共同家園 裡的眾多資源,這意味著我們需要學習公正和互相依存地生活,以提高整 體的生活質素,或最低限度要共存下去。這個「我們」必須包括構成共同 家園的其他生命。 

當我們能幫助疲弱的一方健康壯大起來,讓我們一起擁有更美好的現在和充滿希望的未來時,這便符合我們以至後代的最佳利益。公義不是透過報 復、而是藉著同理心,讓有關各方能攜手共建新的現實所達致的。這是否 太過天真、不切實際呢?不,才不是,這為我們共同的未來是必須的。 

我們要懷著希望去面對本地和全球的經濟、關係 —— 特別是那些受苦於 關係貧窮的人、政治穩定與和諧,以至生態環境的健康。為我們在香港這 個家生活的人來說,一定要鼎力支持香港。大家以慈愛相待,特別是對青 年、長者、移民和旅客,香港可望成為充滿希望、愛和生命的充滿活力之都! 

最後,聖誕節和新年是希望、愛、和平與夢想的時刻!沒有希望和夢想, 就沒有更美好的未來。尤其是為我們的年青人來說,我們需要與他們同行,為他們具創意的希望和夢想加添力量。 

祝大家和我們的共同家園有一個歡樂的聖誕和充滿希望的 2025 年。

+ 周守仁樞機

 

Christmas and the New Year are a time
for hope, love, peace, and dreams!

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The Catholic Church to celebrate
the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025!

“We await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God  and saviour Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13) 

Hope seems harder to come by in our world today. With the slower-than expected recovery of global and local economies, there are growing war  cries in different parts of the world, increasingly tense geopolitics, rising of dysfunctional mental health problems, particularly among the younger and  elderly populations, depressing relational poverty, devastating zero-sum competitions, and a darkening outlook of the natural ecology.  

Even within these depressive and anxiety-provoking realities, we await  once again the promise of joy and hope of Christmas. Those who  appreciate the original meaning of Christmas should know that it is not a  secular commercial feast. It is a feast of love through the direct  intervention of the ever-loving God into our human history. This was made  possible by sending God’s only Son to journey with us. Its salvific objective is to show us the compassionate love of God that knows no bounds.  

This love of God brings forgiveness and reconciliation between God and  humanity. For those who have come to experience and accept this love  can, therefore, face challenges and disappointments in life with definite  

hope. Not just any hope, but a hope for the unyielding and eternal love of  God, both in this life and the life after. Yes, the coming of the Son of God,  our Emmanuel, is to give the world this assurance, especially when hope  seems ever dimmer.  

The Catholic Church is to celebrate the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025.  The Ordinary Jubilee, in fact, occurs once every 25 years. The theme of this  Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope,” for “Hope does not disappoint” (Romans  5:5). We are reminded that everyone is only a sojourner; no one can live forever in this world. It is consoling when we believe that we are on our way  to another life, reuniting with our loving Creator in eternity, our beloved  ones, and those who loved us.  

Christmas allows us to experience this loving promise of God. Because of that, we can have hope, as fellow pilgrims, to journey together towards eternity with the Source of Life and Love, though at different paces and even in different modes. 

Therefore, with this love and hope in our consciousness, we can help  bringing love to our communities. We need to reinforce this hope that does  not disappoint those we love, those with whom we have di[iculties, and  those who are strangers to us, especially those who are struggling in the social margins, feeling unwanted and abandoned.  

We can think of those who are struggling in war zones with seemingly  endless torment, displaced persons and refugees looking for a dignified future, prisoners waiting for a new life, married couples who cannot see a  su[iciently stable future for childbearing, young people who fail to identify convincing reasons to envisage a hopeful future, the elderly who are lonely  and abandoned, and those who are sick and lonely in hospitals.  

The one meaningful tradition of a Jubilee Year is to forgive the debts of  those who will never be able to repay or repay fully, so that they can have a  chance to restart their lives anew. We believe all of us share many  resources of our Common Home, which means we need to learn to live justly and inter-dependently in order to enhance the overall quality of life or  our mutual survival at the least. This “we” must include other life forms  constituting this Common Home.  

It is in our best interest, and that of future generations, when we can help  the weaker parties to become stronger so that together we can have a better present and a hope-filled future. Justice is better not sought through  vengeance but through empathy so that all the parties concerned can co construct a new reality hand-in-hand. Is this not too naïve and unrealistic?  No, it is not, but a must for our collective future. 

We certainly need to have hope in the economy, both locally and globally,  in relationships, especially for those su[ering from relational poverty, in  political stability and harmony, and in the health of the ecology. For those  of us living in Hong Kong, which we call our home, it definitely needs our  utmost support. Together with lovingkindness to each other, especially towards young people, the elderly, migrants, and visitors, Hong Kong will  shine as a vibrant city filled with hope, love, and life! 

Finally, Christmas and the New Year are a time for hope, love, peace, and  dreams! Without hope and dreams, there will be no better future.  Especially for our young people, we need to walk alongside them and  empower their creative hopes and dreams. 

A joyous Christmas and a hope-filled 2025 to you all and our Common  Home!  

+ Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J.

來源:香港天主教社會傳播處

周守仁樞機2024年將臨期牧函

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

「願主使你們彼此間的愛情,和對眾人的愛情增長滿溢,就像我們對你們所有的愛情,好堅固你們的心,使你們在我們的主耶穌同他的眾聖者來臨時,於天主我們的父前,在聖德上無可指摘。」(得撒洛尼前書3: 12-13)

親愛的主內姊妹兄弟及各位朋友:

世界主教代表會議第十六屆常務大會第二會期幾週前剛結束,接踵而來的是將臨期。教會作為天主子民,正在等待主教代表會議的主角——聖神——帶來一個新的黎明。我們也熱切期待著 2025 年禧年的開始,它的主題是「希望的朝聖者」,因為「望德不叫人蒙羞」(羅馬書 5:5)

教會是「天主的子民」,包含了教會內每一個人,這也是梵蒂岡第二屆大公會議《教會憲章》的主題。這種教會模式,是我們蒙召成為共議同行教會的基礎。因此,我們是合一的聖事,透過我們尊重多元和多樣性的合一而帶出天主的救恩之愛。

共議同行是教會的本質,也必須以傳教使命為導向。它涉及教會各層面的相聚,互相聆聽、交談和共同分辨。相聚的目的,是要在聖神的引導下達成共識,成為基督臨在我們中間的見證人。

領受了聖職人員和教友職務人員要互相分享並履行他們的權限和權力,承擔各自的責任。換言之,我們是根據信仰團體內不同的角色和職能共負責任。在基督奧體內,我們有來自多元的處境、肩負多樣的角色,而又蒙召在合一之中「共負使命」,以見證基督救恩的愛。這一切將會是賦予生命力的和諧,為當今世界是極其需要的。

因此,為在香港的教會來說,我們皈依的一個重要範疇就是各單位不論其功能和目標,都要學習在不同的工作計劃和使命上合作。

事實上,透過懷著尊重和同理心的聆聽,去轉化我們的內心,是成為共議同行的教會所必須的取向,接著就是共同分辦的決策過程和作出的決定。因此,來自堂區、信仰小團體、修會團體、各委員會、教會職務、工作單位等等的牧者和教友領袖,十分需要去學習和實踐上述過程。

團體分辨的要素包括事前的搜研和準備、祈禱和反思的時間、聆聽和追求公益的內在自由、專心和尊重地聆聽、尋求最大可能的共識和最低公約的共同點,以凝聚共識。

作為牧者和教友領袖,辨認堂區教友和團體成員的不同神恩,為互補神恩很有幫助,也因此為共議同行是有意義的。 「神貧的人是有福的」(瑪竇福音 5:3)鼓勵我們慷慨分享和謙虛接受。作決定時,牧者和教友領袖必須確保透明度和問責,並要為所作的決定進行適當的評估,包括決策過程和決定本身。

我們也蒙召要扎根於並支持所屬的地方教會,為教會的福祉作出貢獻。儘管如此,我們也要提醒自己,我們的終向是超越現世、在乎上主永恆的國度。這是「將臨期」的特別提醒,除了天主的愛和我們往後永恆的居所外,這世上的一切都會完結。

在今次「世界主教代表大會」第二會期的末段,我們的教宗頒布了新通諭《祂愛了我們》,內容是關於耶穌聖心對我們的愛。在這個時間頒布這通諭絕非偶然。正如教宗所說,在當今缺乏心靈的世界中,更新對耶穌聖心的敬禮尤其重要。因著耶穌聖心大愛的激勵下,我們得以共議同行的傳教門徒身份一起前行。

最後,2025 年禧年將於 2025 年 12 月 24 日展開。愛德之外,基於天主應許的望德也是當今世界很需要的價值。最重要的是,讓耶穌聖心的愛轉化我們的內心,好使我們能有效地推動在教會和世界內的轉化。

+周守仁樞機

香港教區主教
2024年將臨期

Advent Pastoral Letter 2024

“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all…, so as to strengthen your hearts, to be blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones. Amen.” (1 Thess 3:12-13)

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord and Friends,

The Second Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops was over just a few weeks ago, and the Season of Advent is right around the corner. The Church, as the People of God, is awaiting a new dawn from the Holy Spirit, the protagonist of the Synod. With enthusiastic anticipation, we look forward to the beginning of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope” because “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5)

The Church as the “People of God,” which incorporates everyone in the Church, is a main theme in Lumen Gentium of the Second Vatican Council. This model of the Church is the foundation of what we are called to become — a synodal Church. As such, we are the Sacrament of Unity, bringing God’s salvific love through our unity while honouring diversity and plurality.

Synodality, which is the nature of being Church, must be mission-oriented. It involves gathering of all levels of the Church in mutual listening, dialogue, and communal discernment. The goal of the gathering is to reach a consensus guided by the Holy Spirit so as to be witnesses of the presence of Christ among us.

Ordained and lay ministers are to share and exercise powers and authority, and shoulder respective responsibilities, i.e., we are co-responsible according to our different roles and functions within the faith community. This is particularly so when we come from a plurality of contexts and diverse roles within the Body of Christ, called to practice the “Together for Mission” in unity so as to witness Christ’s salvific love. It will be a life-giving harmony that is much needed for the world today.

Hence, for the Church in Hong Kong, the different units should learn to collaborate in projects and missions regardless of their functions and goals. Indeed, this is an important aspect of our conversion.

Indeed, an essential approach to becoming a synodal Church is the conversion of our hearts through respectful and empathic listening, followed by communal discernment for decision-making and decision-taking. Hence, it is most desirable for pastors and lay leaders of parishes, small faith communities, religious communities, different commissions, ministries, work entities, etc., to start learning and working on this process.

Key elements for communal discernment include research and preparation, time for prayer and reflection, inner freedom to listen and pursue the common good, listening attentively and respectfully, searching for the widest possible consensus and lowest common denominator, and formulating consensus.

As pastors and pastoral leaders, recognising the different gifts in the parishioners and members of the community is most helpful for the exchange of gifts that are meaningful for synodality. “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3) encourages us to share generously and to receive humbly. When making decisions, pastors and lay leaders must ensure transparency and accountability and have appropriate evaluation for the decisions made, including their making and taking processes.

We are also called to take root firmly in where we belong and support our local Church, contributing to its well-being. Nonetheless, we should also remind ourselves that our destiny is the eternal Kingdom of God, which is beyond this world. Such is the special reminder of the Season of Advent, that everything in this world will come to an end, except for God’s love and our eternal abode.

Our Holy Father has recently issued a new encyclical, Dilexit Nos (He loved us), in the latter part of the Second Session of the Synod of Bishops, which is on the love of the Sacred Heart for us. Its issuance was by no means coincidental. As stated by the Holy Father, the renewal of the devotion of the Sacred Heart is of particular relevance in the present heartless world. We journey together as missionary disciples of synodality because of the immense love of the Sacred Heart motivating each one of us.

Finally, the Jubilee Year 2025 will commence on December 24, 2025. Besides love, hope based on the promise of God is also a much-needed value in our world today. Most of all, let the love of the Sacred Heart transform us from within so that we will become effective agents for the transformations in the Church and the world.

+ Stephen Cardinal Chow, S.J.

Advent 2024

來源:天主教香港教區

周守仁樞機「聖母進教之佑紀念日-為中國教會祈禱」彌撒講道

進教之佑 — 中國教會祈禱 2024

依 7:10-14;路 1:39-45

有朋友曾經問我國內的教會是否特別有問題,所以需要上任教宗本篤十六世提出普世教會在這「進教之佑」的紀念日特意為他們祈禱呢?那麼,我們香港教區就沒有我們自身的問題了嗎?當然不是。基督徒為其他人或團體祈禱,是否只是因為那些人士或團體出現了重大問題呢?

我們互相代禱是互相表達關懷及支持的方法。在祈禱中,我們為對方的需要表達理解,在靈性上也和他們站在一起,向大智的天主為對方的得益祈禱。也讓他們不感覺孤獨或被遺忘。其實,大愛的上主也從來未有離棄或忘記他們。祂是在陪伴著他們繼續往前走或努力更新,獲得聖化。

教宗方濟各在三天前的五月二十一日於梵蒂岡舉行的一個「上海教務會議(Concilium Sinense)百年紀念大會」中發表講話。他表達了那次是至今唯一的一次中國教務大會,英文是 “Council” 不是 “Meeting”。大會為中國教會的未來,除了改變一些錯誤的事情外,也為它的發展訂下重要的方針。

其中一樣,當時的教宗庇護十一世也親自介入了,就是要讓國藉司鐸祝聖為主教,把中國教會的聖統面孔漸變為中國人的。這是一個重要的教會本地化的轉捩點。所以當時與會的主教們,跟隨聖神的帶領下為中國教會未來牧民的方針作出重要的決定,中國教會的本地化其實已在百年前開始了。在某程度上這正是我們的現在。

在會議閉幕數天後,與會者前往上海的佘山聖母朝聖地朝聖。方濟各教宗也鼓勵我們在今天聯同國內的弟兄姊妹,「在精神上登上佘山,讓我們一起把在中國的主內弟兄姊妹們、全體中國人民,以及我們可憐的整個世界託付於進教之佑聖母瑪利亞,懇求她的轉禱,讓和平遍及各地。」

「進教之佑瑪利亞、佘山聖母,為我等祈!」

+ 周守仁樞機 (耶穌會會士)

After the young Virgin Mary accepted the invitation to be the mother of the Son of the Most High, she set out to cover a long distance through hills to visit her elderly cousin, Elizabeth, who was pregnant for the first time. This young woman already displayed a proactive spirit in her, always ready to lend a hand to those who might have a need of her protective assistance.

Soon after sending her greetings to her cousin, Elizabeth filled with the Holy Spirit and proclaimed this in a loud voice, “Blessed are you who believed that was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” Our Lady, with her staunch faith in God’s promise and her proactive spirit of mission, is the role model for our Church in China and all over the world.

The then Archbishop Celso Costantini was reported to have said at the first ever Concilium Sinense held in Shanghai a century ago, that the mission of the Church was to “evangelize, not colonize.” And this was reiterated by Pope Francis and his predecessors that the mission of the Church should not be a political one but evangelization. And there should be no inherent contradiction for one to be a good Christian and a good citizen.

Thanks be to God that we have great missionary models running before us in the great Apostle Paul and Fr. Matteo Ricci, showing us how to become “all things to all”. Indeed, one very important decision made at that first Concilium, with intervention from Pope Pius XI, was to ordain Chinese clergy as bishops for a Chinese Church. Inculturation of the Chinese Church had started a century ago. And that must continue.

As the Church in China commemorates this important landmark took place in Shanghai a century ago, let us join our sisters and brothers in the Mainland in prayers, for the further inculturation of the Chinese Church, in a synodal spirit under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Mary, help of Christians, Our Lady of Sheshan, pray for us!

+ Stephen Chow, S.J.

 

相關資訊:

請為中國教會祈禱:《向佘山聖母誦》

按此重溫教宗本篤十六世《致中國教會信函》

按此下載教宗本篤十六世《致中國教會信函》PDF 文件

 

天主教香港教區周守仁樞機率團到訪廣東省

在汕頭教區主教座堂共祭彌撒 (圖片:信德網)

應廣東省天主教兩會、天主教汕頭教區邀請,天主教香港教區樞機主教周守仁樞機、夏志誠輔理主教、副主教蔡惠民神父、副主教甘寶維神父、副主教陳永超神父等一行10人於4月22日至26日到廣東進行了為期5天的參觀訪問。 這是周守仁樞機應邀首次帶領香港教區負責人參訪廣東。

廣東省天主教兩會負責人對天主教香港教區參訪團的到來表示熱烈歡迎。 廣東省天主教愛國會主席、汕頭教區黃炳章主教表示,粵港兩地地緣相近、人緣相親、文化相通,希望以此次參訪為契機,深化粵港天主教界的交流與互動,厚植愛國愛港 愛教情懷,持續推動新時代天主教中國化進程走深走實,推動新時代「一國兩制」實踐行穩致遠,共同促進粵港澳大灣區的繁榮與發展。 廣東省天主教教務委員會主席、湛江教區蘇永大主教介紹了廣東省天主教兩會推進天主教中國化進程、加強教會自身建設、推動天主教健康傳承、開展公益慈善和對外交流等方面情況。

周守仁樞機表示,廣東是可敬者利瑪竇神父從澳門進入中國內地的第一站,願以利瑪竇精神為兩地社會及教會的發展「同道偕行」(共議同行),以實際行動愛國家、愛同胞,共同為國家和教會多做貢獻。

在粵期間,周守仁樞機一行人先後參觀了廣州教區石室天主堂、汕頭教區在建主教府、汕頭教區主教座堂、汕頭市東區聖家堂、澄海祿格堂、深圳市聖安多尼堂、深圳市耶穌君王堂等,與廣州教區、汕頭教區和深圳市天主教兩會座談,就民主管理、人才培養、婚姻家庭、公益慈善等議題進行深入交流,期間於4月24日在汕頭教區主教座堂與黃炳章主教共祭彌撒。 週守仁主教一行人還參觀了黃花崗七十二烈士陵園、廣州市城市規劃展覽中心、汕頭市開埠文化陳列館、小公園老街區、汕頭市陳慈鸐故居、深圳市蓮花山公園等文化歷史展館及愛國教育基地。

香港教區明愛總裁閻德龍神父,香港教區婚姻與家庭牧民委員會主席劉南山執事,香港公教婚姻輔導會主任鄭靜文,教區教理中心主任鍾桃卿及主教私人助理黃家俊陪同參訪。 廣東省天主教愛國會主席、汕頭教區黃炳章主教,省天主教愛國會副主席兼兩會秘書長沈旭明、汕頭教區吝水利神父等全程陪同。

按此閱讀《公教報》報導:
周樞機率團前往廣東交流 一家人互相學習

參觀汕頭教區在建主教府(圖片:信德網)

參觀汕頭市東區聖家堂(圖片:信德網)

參觀汕頭市澄海區祿格堂(圖片:信德網)

參觀深圳市聖安多尼堂(圖片:信德網)

參觀深圳市寶安區耶穌君王堂(圖片:信德網)

來源:信德網

周守仁樞機耶穌聖誕節子夜彌撒講道

圖片:公教頻道

耶穌聖誕節 — 子夜感恩祭 2023

依 9:1-6
鐸 2:11-14
路 2:1-14

今時今日作為君王的已不復從前君權神授的威嚴,享有莫大的權力。但今天的民主發展也在一定程度上是因為一些君王的攬權,不理百姓幸福死活而致的後果。可是現代的民主制度又是否真的讓人民的尊嚴得到合理的體現呢?或已變成黨派及資本之爭呢? 民粹主義就更加不理想了,它把立場對立化和情緒化,缺乏交談的空間。

今日我們慶祝一位小君王在二千多年前為我們誕生了。他是一個怎樣的君王,相信大家都略知一二了。耶穌基督在世的時候就已經努力不懈地為聖父履行給他的正義與公平使命,以致最後他捨身取義。

天主的正義與公平是基於祂對受造界,特別是我們人類的那份情深的愛。聖父派遣祂的唯一聖子進入我們人類的歷史,成為我們的一份子,與我們同行,目的是要帶我們回家,回到那位創造和對我們念念不忘的上主的懐抱中。這正是慈愛的上主的心願。所以,上主的正義是建基於這份大愛之上,不是在私利或仇恨與報復之上。這與我們一些現世的正義觀真的有相當距離。

而公平更是因人的不同需要和已有的資源而定,因為上主創造我們每一個人都是獨特的,所以公平也會因人而異,不會一定要一視同仁的那種公平。所以我們要認識不同的人的不同需要,和他們各人有的資源,好用來適切地互相補足。這也是基於無私的愛而做的。聖誕就是天主聖子完全地放下自己的尊嚴,降生成為有生老病死的凡人,好讓我們能跟他一起回歸天父的家。

小耶穌降生在猶大的白冷。而「白冷」的意思是「麵包之家」,即是猶大的糧倉。所以這個地方為整個民族是重要的,民以食為天,這是民生的重地。同時,小耶穌是出生於馬槽裏,而「馬槽」的希伯來文是אֵבוּס ,含意包括「盛載飼料的容器」。小耶穌就是被放在這容器之中。他就是上天給我們的精神食糧,好維持我們的靈性生命。所以這位新生的嬰孩是給整個民族,以至全世界的食糧,我們因為他才能有永遠的生命。

今晚當我們教內的兄弟姊妹領受聖體時,請大家細味這份自我奉獻的愛,也是因為這份愛,世人才有可能從黑暗的奴役中被拯救出來,我們眾人才可以回歸永恆的光明,天主的懷抱中。這個美好的將來不在乎我們現在身處何方,也不論我們的生活形式和不同的取向,重要的是我們的心是歸向光明,願意離開黑暗的心境、處境和它的影響,更進一步生活在大愛和美善的光輝中。那就可以了。這也是耶穌聖誕的意義啊!記得聖人有他們黑暗的過去,罪人也所以有他們光明的未來。

雖然耶路撒冷和白冷今年因戰亂而變得冷清,我們好像沒有甚麼好的理由慶祝在白冷的聖誕。但這是一個誘惑,對上主的救贖能力存有疑心的誘惑。我們可以想像所謂的「現實」其實不是平面,而是立體或多重的。上主透過耶穌聖誕給世人的承諾,已在另外的層面或幅度運作中,只是在我們暫時看不到,未能體驗得到而已。何況二千多年前的第一個聖誕亦不是那麼平靜,那麼有條理的。試想想兩位年青人的第一胎生產在馬槽裏⋯

因此我們不要被眼前的現實所蒙敝,要懷着信德和望德繼續朝著天主聖神帶領的方向共議同行。世界和平,我們人人有責。首先是對和平的君王有信心和懷着希望,在自己的生活中做一個接近上主的「正義和公平」的人。

最後,當我們很高興地慶祝聖誕節的同時,也不要忘記這些意義。不要放縱或荒淫地盡慶,而是把我們的幸福的資源和其他缺乏的弟兄姊妹分享,把光明帶給那些在黑暗中掙扎著的人士。這樣我們就能公正及虔敬地生活,永恆的幸福也會在等候著我們。祝大家有一個蒙福的聖誕節和富有意義及大愛的新的一年!

+周守仁樞機
天主教香港教區主教

Christ among the Rubble. @KLICONS

天主教香港教區主教周守仁樞機2023年聖誕文告

圖片:天主教香港教區

當香港和世界眾多地方正熱切準備慶祝聖誕節的時候,究竟目前的甚麼主要形勢可能怎麼樣影響我們慶祝這個節日?

每日都有戰爭和恐怖主義的新聞報道,當中也有地緣政治的緊張局勢,特別是和中國有關的,這都會對香港有著影響,以致疫情後的經濟仍然疲弱,不同行業和專業都出現了明顯的人才短缺情況。最令人心碎的是,青少年自毀行為的個案有所上升——這一切相加起來,便給人帶來無動力、甚至灰鬰的情緒,沒信心美好前景快將來臨。那為甚麼我們要慶祝?

「在黑暗中行走的百姓看見了一道皓光,光輝已射在那寄居在漆黑之地的人們身上。」(依撒意亞先知書九1)

聖誕節是慶祝天主對世人永恆大愛和忠信相伴的承諾,這承諾實現在這位新生嬰孩、即是厄瑪奴耳(意思是天主與我們一起),和耶穌(意思是救世主)身上。這承諾不只為2000 多年前的人而作出,而是每年當我們慶祝聖誕節時,這承諾都會再次被肯定。

不論我們是否基督徒,這承諾在我們身處黑暗時為我們帶來光明,在我們悲傷時給我們帶來喜樂。真正的愛不為歷史、宗教、文化、政治或經濟劃下界限。任何人只要是希望慶祝生命,相信神聖會介入脆弱的現實環境,那麼聖誕節就是深切喜樂的因由。

過去一個多世紀以來,香港都有慶祝聖誕節,而天主子為我們先祖降生的事實,至今亦然。自開始以來,厄瑪奴耳永恒忠信的陪伴和耶穌大愛的奇蹟就從未間斷,為非基督徒也如此。然而,這些奇蹟的效果為真實的信徒來說,應該更加明顯。

那麼,我們是否都準備好去慶祝那聖誕的奇蹟?它能夠從虛耗生命的現實中驅除黑暗和疑慮。更者,我們是否願意成為這奇蹟的中介,即是,成為那些需要陪伴的人的忠信夥伴,為期待被愛肯定的人付出無條件的愛?

「(她)便生了她的頭胎男兒,用襁褓裹起,放在馬槽裡,因為在客棧中為他們沒有地方。」(路加福音二7)

當耶穌聖嬰將要降生的時候,人們還沒準備好去迎接他。他們忙於招呼其他客人,那些他們認為更值得用時間和空間去接待的人。因此,他的誕生在馬槽裡,為新生嬰孩來說已是最不恰當的地方,更不用說為天主子了。人們的內心沒有為他預留時間和空間。

當我們的心對愛的源頭封閉起來時,便無法經驗這愛,即使它是為我們而來。當我們不關心別人時、特別是那些在社會或經濟邊緣掙扎的人,其實就是我們在判處大家要承受更長時間的苦。如果我們能為在掙扎中的人、特別是青少年和長者,騰出時間和空間,光明和喜樂也會隨之而來。

我們的社會需要提升具同理心的體諒、寬容和寬恕的文化。沒有人可以斷言自己將來不會渴望得到別人的體諒和寬恕。當建立了具同理心和慈悲的文化時,我們就能夠開始相互陪伴,攜手前行 —— 特別是與我們的青少年一起行。

我們也要讓教育工作者有時間、空間和精力去陪伴青少年。陪伴同行需要時間、內在空間、並且要不帶批判地聆聽對方的困境。但若果教育工作者被種種工作職務纏擾,即使他們想學習如何最好地陪伴學生,也只變得有心無力。請大家明白,陪伴為青少年、以至我們自己,是很有價值的聖誕禮物。因為聖誕的核心禮物,就是天主對全人類和受造界以堅定不移的愛情委身相伴。

當然,我們要感謝宗教團體和社會機構、包括政府,以至不少個別人士,他們一直在幕後努力著,幫助近年違法的青年,讓他們重新融入社會,並透過各種方式讓他們的人生繼續向前走。但仍有很多人在等待這種具希望的待遇。此外,還有一些人士特別著力去陪伴那些易受傷害的長者,長者是自殺率最高的年齡組別。

在香港的朋友們,請相信:我們值得得到比目前所有的更好。但我們必須起行,不要自憐,要離開局限著我們的安舒區,跟隨聖誕的光芒,去獲取聖誕節核心的禮物。讓我們把聖誕的光輝反射開去,把光帶給那些在黑暗中掙扎的人們。

祝大家聖誕蒙福,2024年更具智慧地面對一切快樂與挑戰!

+ 周守仁樞機

天主教香港教區主教

As Hong Kong and most parts of the world are psyched up for the celebration of the Christmas festivities, what are the dominant outlooks that may colour our capacity to celebrate?

There is news of wars and terrorism continuing in daily news, geopolitical tensions concerning China in particular, which have bearings on Hong Kong, a slack post-pandemic economy, noticeable labour shortages in various industries and professions, and, most heartbreaking, the rising numbers of young people engaging in self-destructive behaviours—all these, when added up, can contribute to a flat and even darkened spirit, lacking confidence of a brighter future anytime sooner. Then why should we celebrate?

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom, a light has shone” (Isaiah 9:1).

Christmas is the celebration of God’s promise of eternal love and faithful companionship for all being fulfilled in this newborn baby, Emmanuel, i.e., God-is-with-us, and Jesus, i.e., the Lord is salvation. This promise was not only for those people more than 2000 years ago, but each time we celebrate Christmas, the promise is re-affirmed.

This promise should give us light in our darkness and joy in our sorrows, regardless of whether we are Christians or not. Real love knows no boundaries of histories, religions, cultures, politics, or economies. Christmas is the cause of deep joy for anyone who wants to celebrate life and have hope in the divine intervention in a frail reality.

Hong Kong is certainly a place where Christmas has been celebrated for over a century, while the reality of the Son of God being born for our ancestors up to this point in time is always the case. The miracles of the ever-faithful companionship of Emmanuel and the love of Jesus have never ceased since, even for all those who are non-Christians. However, the effects of these miracles should be more pronounced for true believers.

So, are we ready to celebrate the miracles of Christmas that dispels darkness and doubts in the life-draining reality? Furthermore, are we willing to become agents of those miracles, i.e., to be faithful companions to those who need accompaniment and unconditional love for those who would appreciate loving affirmation?

“ And she gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).

People at the time of this baby Jesus’ imminent coming were not ready to host him. They were occupied with other guests whom they deemed more worthy of their time and space. That was why he was born in a manger, a most unseemly space for any human newborn, not to mention the Son of God. People’s hearts had no time or space for him.

When our hearts are closed to the source of Love, we cannot experience it either, even though it is offered to us. And when our hearts are uncaring for others, especially those who are struggling on the social or economic margins, we are condemning each other to prolonged suffering. But if we can make the time and space for them, especially our young people and the elderly, light and joy can come in as well.

Our society needs to strengthen a culture of empathic understanding, tolerance, and forgiveness. No one can be certain that she or he will not become the yearning recipient of empathy and forgiveness in the future. For when there is an established culture of empathy and compassion, we can start accompanying and moving forward with each other— especially with our young people.

We must also allow our educators to have time, space and energy to accompany them. Walking with each other requires time, inner space, and non-judgmental listening of each other’s plights. But if our educators are already overwhelmed by the different job-related requirements, they cannot be in a position to learn how best to accompany their students, even if they want to do so. But this will be a worthy Christmas gift for our young people and ourselves as the essential gifts of Christmas are God’s committed companionship and unfailing love for all humanity and Creation.

Indeed, we can be thankful to individuals and groups of religious or social institutions, including the government, which have been working behind the scenes helping young people, who have violated the laws in recent years, reintegrate into our society and move ahead with their lives through various means. But more are still waiting to receive such hope-filled treatments. There are also those who make special efforts in accompanying vulnerable elderlies, an age group that holds the highest suicidal rate.

My friends in Hong Kong, do have confidence in our worthiness for something much better than what we are experiencing. But we must get up, leave our limiting comfort zones, stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and follow the light of Christmas to attain the essential gifts of Christmas. Let us be the ones who reflect the light of Christmas to those struggling in their darkness.

I pray that we will enjoy a blessed Christmas. May we be endowed with wisdom to face all sorts of joys and challenges in 2024!

+ Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J. Bishop of Hong Kong

 

北京主教香港行:一次兄弟情誼的經驗

圖片:Vatican Media

北京總教區李山主教在香港教區的訪問具有兄弟情誼和建設性。應香港教區主教周守仁樞機的邀請,11月13至15日,李山主教率領教區代表團回訪香港教區。此前,周樞機於今年4月訪問了北京教區。

據香港教區媒體的報導,李山主教衷心感謝香港的主教和弟兄姐妹促成這次交流。他說,確實感受到香港教會的發展,「讓我們收獲甚豐」。李山主教矢志汲收經驗,努力建設北京的天主教會,愈辦愈好。他也鼓勵眾人,無論遇上任何困難,仍要懷著信德,保持感恩的心,時常讚美天主。

周樞機在講話中則深切期盼,兩岸四地的天主教徒有朝一日「能夠一起相聚祈禱」。談到不久前參與的世界主教會議,樞機強調同道偕行的主角是聖神,以及香港教會在與弟兄姐妹同行中的「橋樑教會」的角色。他指出,共議乃分辨眾人的匯合點,同時正面看待分歧及其帶來的張力。

北京教區訪問團的活動始於11月13日星期一,在香港教區主教公署的小堂共同誦念晚禱。隨後,在周樞機的辦公室,雙方互贈禮物。北京主教送給周樞機一幅耶穌會傳教士利瑪竇神父的彩色玻璃畫,周樞機則送給李山主教一幅繪製在白色木板上的聖伯多祿和聖保祿像。

第二天,11月14日星期二,北京教區代表團參觀了聖母無原罪主教座堂和中華殉道聖人小堂,追念傳教士將福音傳至中華土地的恩情。當天下午,李山主教前往聖神修院、聖神修院神哲學院及聖神研究中心。

11月15日星期三,聖母無原罪主教座堂舉行彌撒。據《信仰通訊社》的消息,李山主教表示,能夠與周樞機和湯漢樞機共祭實屬難得。北京教區代表團離開香港前出席了一項神學研討會,主題為「共議同行與中國教會:共融、參與及使命」。

來源:梵蒂岡新聞網

第三屆全球華人終身執事交流大會

圖片:香港教區終身執事委員會

【鹽與光傳媒資訊】2013年11月,時任的天主教香港教區陳志明副主教在香港籌辦了第一屆的全球華人終身執事交流大會。5年後,2018年5月13至17日在多倫多總教區舉行第二屆全球華人終身執事交流大會,大會討論了終身執事的過去、現在及將來。2023年11月13日至17日,第三屆全球終身執事交流大會在香港「明愛賽馬會香港仔服務中心」內的社區會堂舉行,而該中心的「明愛張奧偉國際賓館」則為內地、海外的參加者及嘉賓提供住宿服務。本屆主題為「新福傳與終身執事」,目的是希望大家在新福傳的環境之下去保持傳揚福音的心火。

按此閱覽大會官方網頁

96位參加者中有來自世界不同地方的華人終身執事,包括香港、澳洲、美國、加拿大、新加坡、蘇格蘭,而嘉賓有鍾安住總主教(台北總教區)、許德訓神父(台北總教區)、金載原神父(新竹教區)、盧成珉神父(新竹教區)、陸友望神父(台北總教區秘書長)、杜貴仁神父(新竹教區)、胡坡神父(北京教區)、閻獻恩神父(北京教區)、賴貴美女士(台北總教區)、林雅玲女士(台北總教區)、姚麗英女士(新竹教區)、劉炎新神父(澳門教區)。

大會的活動包括邀請不同的講者作專題講座、小組分享、朝聖、愛德服務及外出探訪、擬定未來五年計劃等等。此外,香港教區主教周守仁樞機於大會首天主持開幕彌撒,夏志誠輔理主教則於最後一天為大會主持結束彌撒。

周樞機在開幕彌撒中向全球華人終身執事分享第十六屆世界主教代表會議「共議同行」的經驗和反省,他勉勵終身執事和他們的太太,共同回應天主的召叫和積極回應時代徵兆的挑戰。香港教區榮休主教湯漢樞機也前去會場,給予大家鼓勵和支持。

圖片:香港教區終身執事委員會

圖片:香港教區終身執事委員會

以下是香港教區終身執事委員會主席陳志明神父的分享:

懇請大家為終身執事祈禱:

全能永生的天主, 祢揀選終身執事,
在宣道、聖祭和愛德的事務上,
協助主教及從屬於主教的司鐸團,
為人群服務,作大眾的公僕。

求祢遣發聖神降臨於他們,
使他們忠實地履行使命,
尤其是信仰所宣講的,
教導所信仰的,以及實行所教導的。

上主願他們具備福音中的各種美德:
仁愛無私、關顧貧病、威信有節、
純樸良善、信守內心紀律。

願他們對教會忠貞不移,
以純潔的良心作美好的見證,
今生全心追隨你的聖子,
來日在天上與祂共享王權。

因主耶穌基督之名,
求祢俯聽我們的祈禱。
亞孟。

來源:香港教區終身執事委員會

相關節目:

天主教香港教區周守仁主教履任樞機求恩彌撒

圖片:天主教香港教區視聽中心

【鹽與光傳媒資訊】香港時間,2023年11月4日(星期六)時間下午3時,天主教香港教區於聖母無原罪主教座堂舉行 「周守仁主教履任樞機求恩彌撒」,由周樞機主禮,榮休主教湯漢樞機、榮休主教陳日君樞機、夏志誠輔理主教、104位司鐸共祭及20位執事襄禮。當天有大約一千名教友及來賓到場參與,當中包括其他基督宗教團體的兄弟姐妹。

圖片:天主教香港教區視聽中心

按此下載禮儀經文

按此下載《頌恩:信友歌集》

以下是周樞機的講道全文:

若 8:1-11

當上樞機後,我便有一所領銜聖堂, 這代表我是羅馬教區的神職人員,因為樞機是羅馬主教,即教宗的顧問和助手。大家都可能已知道我的領銜聖堂就是聖洗者若瀚 ·喇沙 。我知道後心中也發出會心的微笑。現在一位耶穌會士成為聖喇沙聖堂的領銜主教。

今天我選擇的兩篇聖言正是要向大家表達這個共議同行的教會,我作為她的樞機的使命。主耶穌在今天的福音中,他不以自己為天主子或善人的身份自居。他很明白那位婦人,她很可能是一位性工作者,要在她「工作」時捉著她不會太難。在捉拿她的男人當中有些是可能「認識」過她的。難道他們當中沒有人也犯過罪嗎?不過看見他人的不道德總比看見自己的問題來得易得多。要他人先悔改過來比要自己做同樣的也來得較易。

耶穌同樣看穿那些經師和法利塞人的心思,要借他的口來殺人, 來為難他。主耶穌對那位罪婦顯得更有同理心,他要保護她,也要還她身為小眾應有的尊嚴。你們當中誰沒有罪,比她神聖的,就向她投石吧!

主耶穌說這番說話是冒險的,可以得罪那些指控者,也可能會被誤會是助長不道德行為,但是他就不會害怕這些俗世的顧忌。耶穌就是要那些社會和宗教賢達明白,那罪婦和他們的神聖尊嚴在上主的大愛中並無差別。同時,他也鼓勵那位婦人不要再犯罪了。正因為主耶穌對她的同理心和體恤,她的內心才可能更有力量作出行為上的改變。

我們作為上主的子民,我們會否也不摒棄某些人於門外,把他們看作是該死的罪人?反而是給他們尊重?在上主面前每一位都是平等被愛的,因為我們和萬物眾生都是在上主的愛內受造的。無分種族、文化背景、性別、年紀、經濟或教育背景、有或無宗教信仰、政治或其他不同取向,包括性小眾、善人或罪人、我們個人的喜歡或鄙視的人等等,都是以上主神聖的肖像所造的。在十字架的大愛內被救贖了,在這個愛的使命中,我們作為天主子民的就要成為上主愛的橋樑,為修和共融努力。

教會應該先是生活戰場上的療傷站,為我們在香港的兄弟姊妹來說,這是我們對大愛的上主的𠄘擔。

+ 周守仁

1 Cor 9:19-23

My sisters and brothers, and friends, some asked me curiously what Pope Francis whispered in my ear after he had put on the cardinal ring and biretta for me. Well, it was not any juicy gossip but about the mission with China.

Hong Kong has long played a significant bridging role of connecting the East and the West. The Catholic Church in Hong Kong was also entrusted with the role of a bridging Church since Pope John Paul II, especially in connecting the Church in Mainland China with the universal Church. For us Christians, connection is understood in the light of communion, based on the Holy Trinity and the Eucharist. We share one Love, one Life, and one Body.

Hence, our lives and fates are intimately connected, both spiritually and existentially through communion as Christians. “Communion” is one of the three themes, besides mission and participation, of the Synod on synodality. We are encouraged to put ourselves in the shoes of the others in order to understand and feel for them. In other words, we become like the others so that we can walk with them for a lifegiving and blessed future.

“To those outside the law I became like one outside the law… to win over those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, to save at least some. All this I do for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may have a share in it.”

Being a bridging church does not mean we only focus on areas outside of Hong Kong. In fact, there are many individuals and groups in Hong Kong who are painfully disconnected with others and their society. I dare say that we, too, would love to be better connected and to become fully whole. Therefore, if all of us can just take a few steps reaching out to those who are disconnected with us, either in the physical or digital worlds, we too can be healed.

During the First Session of the Synod of Bishops which has just concluded, we learned how to connect with participants whose views, on some critical matters, were clearly different from those of ours. There were divergences, which we honored. But divergences did not stop us from identifying convergences where we could meet. And through these convergences we were able to have hope and strength to anticipate our next session in October 2024.

All in all, we learn to walk with one another for a better future, not just for the Church, but more importantly, for our humanity and common home.

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam!

+ Stephen Chow, S.J.

資訊來源:天主教香港教區

兩岸三地的神長在世界主教代表會議中「共議同行」

【鹽與光傳媒資訊】第16屆世界主教代表會議常務會議在梵蒂岡保祿六世大廳舉行,在464名與會者中,包括兩岸三地的神長。香港教區主教周守仁樞機在他個人Facebook社交平台上發布了在大會中與兩岸三地的主教及神父的合照,他表示教宗很歡喜眾位弟兄能聚首一堂。感謝周守仁樞機授權《鹽與光傳媒》轉載圖片及發文,以下是周守仁樞機的發文:

兩岸三地的主教及神父在世界主教代表大會中「共議同行/同道偕行」。難得的機會。

Bishops and priests from Mainland, Taiwan, and Hong Kong get together at the Synod of Bishops, starting to experience synodality.

Photo Credit: Cardinal Stephen Chow 圖片提供:周守仁樞機 【左至右:姚順主教(內蒙古集寧教區)、周守仁樞機(香港教區)、楊永強主教(山東周村教區)、浦英雄主教(台灣嘉義教區)、丁楊神父(重慶教區)。From left to right: Bishop Anthony Yao, Cardinal Stephen Chow, Bishop Joseph Yang,  Bishop Norbert Pu (Diocese of Chiayi, Taiwan), Fr. Ding.】

教宗告訴我他為此開心。請為這個大會及兩岸的教會更多基督徒的共融合一的機會祈禱!

Pope Francis tells me he is happy about this. Please pray for the Synod and for more opportunities for the churches on both sides of the Strait to experience unity and communion in the Christian way.

Photo Credit: Cardinal Stephen Chow 圖片提供:周守仁樞機 (左至右:楊永強主教(山東周村教區)、周守仁樞機(香港教區)、姚順主教(內蒙古集寧教區)、丁楊神父(重慶教區)。From left to right: Bishop Joseph Yang, Cardinal Stephen Chow, Bishop Anthony Yao, Fr. Ding.)

資訊提供:Cardinal Stephen Chow 周守仁樞機

Photo Credit:Rodney Leung / Salt+Light Media

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