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天主教香港教區主教周守仁樞機2025年聖誕文告

December 23, 2025 by

天主教香港教區主教
周守仁樞機2025年聖誕文告

「聖言成了血肉，寄居在我們中間；
我們見了他的光榮」
若望福音1:14

各位香港市民和朋友：

當我們開始聽到聖誕歌或收到聖誕卡時，就知道聖誕節臨近了。我們正準備迎接這個帶著喜樂和希望的重大節日。然而，最近發生在大埔的嚴重火災，再次讓我們深深意識到生命的脆弱。那麼，在我們當中許多人仍感悲傷的時候，為甚麼還要慶祝聖誕節？

聖誕節正是給我們保證，天主子成為了我們當中的一員，完全分享我們人性中的「甜酸苦辣」。天主子自此與我們緊密相連，使我們不再在看不見未來的困境中苦苦掙扎。因為聖誕節意味著我們擁有了清晰的出路， 通往嶄新而充滿希望的人生。

但世界準備好迎接這個滿帶希望的慶節嗎？戰爭的叫囂幾乎每天都在發生，導致無謂的殺戮。一些國家以極端主義對抗極端主義，形成惡性循環，看不到盡頭。世界經濟改善不足，難以讓中產和勞動階層重燃希望。諷刺的是，富者愈富，貧者苦苦掙扎卻依然窮困。雖然金融業出現了復甦的跡象，但本地經濟依然緩慢。

人性： 

天主子取了我們的人性，讓它再次尊貴起來。祂也把人類從連綿不絕的無助中拯救出來。人性既神聖又不完美。我們一定看過或讀過一些平凡人無私奉獻的事蹟，他們的英勇行為令受助者重拾尊嚴和希望。

但沒有人是完美的。我們能否容讓不完美，甚至接納不完美的實況？ 因為不完美是我們人性的一部分。它們能讓我們哭泣，但也讓我們歡笑； 能讓我們憤怒，但也讓我們體恤別人；能讓我們不願去寬恕，但也讓我們渴望被原諒。這正是我們複雜人性的美。

然而，人性變得不再是肯定的價值，反而是用來嘲諷別人的不足。我們要留意，這種否定終會導致人性的自我毀滅。與其迴避對方的缺點，不如滋養自己和別人內在的美善。畢竟，天主子完全接納了我們複雜的人性，沒有拒絕它。

人工智能： 

2025年最吸引人和為人關注的新聞是人工智能（AI）。它是前景亮麗的發明，原意是要造福人群。的確，如果我們明智地運用人工智能，它能夠處理生活中的功能層面的事務，從而保護我們，促進發展。但人工智能最終會取代人類，或是取得人性嗎？

在人際關係上，人工智能的情況就不同了。例如，當我們與別人建立情感關係時，需要接受自己變得脆弱。我們會受到傷害，那可能是一而再的傷害。人工智能無法以這種方式與我們建立關係。在這方面，聖誕節告訴我們，天主子透過進入人類歷史，視我們為兄弟姊妹，也使自己變得脆弱。

當然，任何發明都帶有缺點。要處理應用人工智能的倫理困境， 從教育著手似乎是較好的選擇。如何透過跨學科課程，讓學生在受惠於人工智能的同時，也能批判地理解它對個人以至全球發展的潛在風險？

教育：

當小耶穌在納匝肋長大時，他必定接受了基礎教育， 讓他掌握必須的生活技能，了解他的猶太文化和宗教信仰，並陶成他的人格。

然而，香港的教育仍聚焦於以功利主義為導向，強調功能的幅度，仍然未轉向為以關懷和尊重去看待青年的個體性。教育本質上不是主要用來促進地區繁榮的工具，或為公職、專業服務或勞動市場等輸送畢業生。

教育的基本使命是教導孩子自我發現，而不是把他們塑造成千篇一律；培養自主，不要依賴；建立自尊，而非自誇；尊重他人，而不自我中心；樂於與他人攜手同行，而非凌駕於他人之上；渴望創造更美好的世界，而非安於現狀；培養與夥伴及他人共同建構更美好世界的能力。

在傳統的教育方式之外，還有其他的教育途徑。這些途徑或許更切合那些擁有不同學習風格、有待發掘自身才華的孩子。我們應該鼓勵這些不同的方式或途徑發展起來，讓我們的青年能夠在合適的平台上展現他們的才華。

青年： 

福音書告訴我們，耶穌特別關愛兒童和青少年。在世界某些地區，貧困青年飽受自尊低落和缺乏自信的困擾，這情況在香港亦然。出乎意料的是，來自家境較好的青年情況好不了多少。他們面對類似的問題，包括無止境的競爭。難道沒有其他與「競爭」同樣重要、甚或更重要的價值嗎？ 生命和希望呢？

當途徑和機會日益收窄時，即使那些能幹的人也會感到疲倦，因為他們被迫參與由別人設計的比賽，而不是按自己的意願行事。他們習慣了生活在別人的期望和框架中，失去了主動性。我們過去常對青年說「跟隨你的心」，可悲的是，這句話已成為空洞的口號。

聖誕節是饋贈的節日。許多人都想回饋社會。他們該如何幫助青年締造希望？首先，要懷著同理心去聆聽和理解，並向青年探究，這樣才能認清如何回饋社會，該付出甚麼。我們希望他們的付出，會得到青年認同的。

香港—文化相滙與相融之處： 

香港歷來都是一座移民城市，有著跨文化性的特徵。文化間的美妙不在於衝突，而是彼此相遇時帶來的創意融合。歧視非主流文化只會傷害香港。因此，我們需要敞開胸懷，接納跨文化的動力，歡迎移民，讓他們在我們的城市蓬勃發展。小耶穌一家也曾經是移民，他們為了躲避當時統治者的死亡威脅而逃往埃及。

最後，以上提及的不同事項，都不能單靠政府的政策便能得以落實。它們需要我們的善意、積極行動和合作，要跨越意識形態和傳統框界，才能共同建構一個帶有喜樂和希望的世界。讓我們成為文化間的橋樑；為需要希望的人而成為希望的傳承者，特別在慘劇發生後這艱難的時刻；成為一個交談並同行的群體！

藉此機會，我祝願大家、我們摯愛的香港、中國以及全世界一個欣悅的聖誕和一個充滿希望的2026年！

+周守仁樞機

Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J.
Bishop of Hong Kong
Christmas Message 2025

“The Word became flesh
and made His dwelling among us,
and we saw His glory”
John 1:14

Dear fellow Hongkongers and friends,

When we start hearing Christmas carols or receiving Christmas cards, we know that Christmas is near. We are preparing to welcome this great festival of joy and hope. However, the recent disastrous fire at Tai Po brought us once again to a keen awareness of the fragility of life. So, why celebrate Christmas during this difficult time when many of us are still saddened by the tragedies?

Christmas is here precisely to assure us that the Son of God has become one of us, sharing fully the ‘sweetness, acidity, bitterness and heat’ of our humanity. The Son of God has since been intimately connected with us that we no longer struggle without a future. For Christmas means that we have a clear way out to a radically new and promising life.

But is our world ready to welcome this hope-filled festival? There are still war cries leading to senseless killings almost every day. Nations are applying extremism to counter extremism, creating a vicious cycle that shows no signs of ending. The world economy is not yielding sufficient improvements for the middle and working classes to become hopeful. Ironically, the rich continue to get richer while those struggling become poorer in their struggles. The local economy is still lagging, even though there are signs of recovery in the financial sector.

Humanity:

The Son of God takes on our humanity to make it noble once again. He also rescues humankind from our unending helplessness. Humanity is both sacred and imperfect. We must have seen or read about some altruistic acts by ordinary people that enabled their beneficiaries to, once again, live with dignity and hope through their heroic deeds.

But no one is perfect. Can we allow imperfections or even appreciate them for what they are? For imperfections are integral to our human nature. They can make us cry, but also laugh; angry, but also sympathetic; unforgiving, but also yearning for forgiveness. This is precisely the beauty of our complex humanity.

But humanity is becoming less of an affirming value than a cynical remark on the shortcomings of others. We should be aware that such a denial will lead to the self-destruction of humanity in the long run. Rather than eschewing each other’s imperfections, it is better to nourish the goodness in ourselves and in one another. After all, the Son of God has fully embraced our complex humanity, not rejected it.

Artificial Intelligence:

The news that has sparked high levels of enthusiasm and concern in 2025 is Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is a promising invention, supposedly for the good of humanity. It is true that AI can take care of the functional aspects of life, which is for our protection and development, if we use it wisely. But can AI ever replace or assume humanity?

It is a different scenario for AI when the focus is on human relationships. For example, when we enter into an affective relationship with another person, we need to allow ourselves to become vulnerable. We can be hurt, and probably more than once. AI cannot relate to us in that manner. Again, Christmas tells us that the Son of God has made himself vulnerable by entering our human history, calling us his sisters and brothers.

Of course, no invention is without drawbacks. To address the ethical dilemmas of applying AI, starting with education appears to be the better option. How can an inter-disciplinary curriculum prepare our students to benefit from AI, while critically understanding its pitfalls for personal to global developments?

Education:

When little Jesus was growing up in Nazareth, he must have received a basic education that equipped him with essential life skills, knowledge of his Jewish culture and religious faith, and the formation of his personhood.

However, education in Hong Kong has yet to shift its focus from functionality underscored by a utilitarian emphasis to a loving respect for the individuality of our young ones. Education should not be taken as an instrument that essentially serves the territory’s prosperity by providing young graduates for civil services, professional services, or the labour market, etc.

The essential mission of education is to teach children for self-discovery, not to be molded like the rest; to foster self-agency, not dependence; to build self-esteem, not boastfulness; for respect for others, not self-centeredness; for willingness to reach out and walk with others, not lording over them; to cultivate a deep desire for a better world, not to be sedentary in their own comfort zones; and to nurture a capacity to co-construct a better world with their peers and others.

There are other educational pathways besides the conventional way. These may be more suitable for children who thrive on different learning styles and have gifts yet to be discovered. We should encourage these different pathways to shine out so that our young people can celebrate their gifts on suitable platforms.

Young people:

Jesus, as we know from the Gospel, has a soft spot for children and youth. Underprivileged young people are struggling with low self-esteem and weak self-confidence in some parts of the world, including Hong Kong. Ironically, young people coming from better-off families are not faring that much better either. They, too, are suffering from similar issues, including constant competition. Are there no other values that are equally or more important than being competitive? What about life and hope?

When the pathways and opportunities are narrowing, even those who are capable are getting tired because they are being forced to engage in someone’s game rather than their own. They are well conditioned to live in other people’s expectations and frameworks, leaving little initiative in them. We used to say, “follow your heart” to our young people. Sadly, it has become an empty slogan.

Christmas is a time of giving. There are individuals who want to give back to society. How can they help create hope for our young people? First, listen empathically, understand, and learn from the young ones before they can identify how and what to give back. We hope that their giving back will be truly appreciated by our young people.

Hong Kong — where cultures meet and fuse:

Hong Kong has long been a city of migrants where inter-culturality is its hallmark. The beauty of cultures lies not in clashing but in creative fusions as they encounter one another. Discriminating against cultures other than the conventional ones will only hurt Hong Kong. Hence, we need to open ourselves to intercultural dynamics and welcome migrants so they can thrive in our city. Jesus and his family were migrants when they escaped to Egypt from the death threat ordered by their ruler of the time.

Finally, none of the above can be achieved with government policy alone. They require our goodwill, initiatives and collaborations beyond ideological and conventional boundaries, so that they can contribute to building a joyful and hopeful world. Let us be bridges among cultures, messengers of hope to those who need hope, especially during this difficult time after the tragedy, and a community that dialogues and journeys together!

I take this opportunity to wish you, our beloved Hong Kong, China and the world a joyful Christmas and a hope-filled 2026!

+ Stephen Cardinal Chow, S.J.

來源：天主教香港教區

Filed Under: 聖誕期, 香港教區, Highlight, 將臨期 Tagged With: , , , , ,

周守仁樞機：以負責任的態度運用人工智能

December 12, 2025 by

圖片：facebook.com/VeritasAsia

【鹽與光傳媒資訊】據《天主教亞洲真理電台》報導，香港教區主教周守仁樞機在香港聖方濟各大學舉行的「第30屆亞洲主教團協會傳播部主教會議」開幕彌撒中，勉勵亞洲主教與教會傳播者，以負責任的態度運用人工智能（AI），並稱其為「天主的恩賜」，應用於造福人類及關懷我們的共同家園。

在講道中，周樞機勉勵教會以望德、分辨及倫理責任來面對人工智能。他說：「我認為人工智能不是來自魔鬼，人工智能是天主所賜，來幫助我們的。」他祈願此次聚會「能幫助我們、釋放我們、啟發我們，讓我們與人工智能合作，實現天主願意賜予的祝福」。

樞機強調，天主教媒體即使在面對新興科技時，也必須堅守高尚的道德與倫理標準。他質問道：「否則，我們又怎能自稱為天主教媒體呢？」他指出，當我們把希望寄託於上主時，就必須先尊崇祂，而不是取悅資助者或迎合任何意識形態。在這瞬息萬變的環境中，我們更需要辨明天主對我們使命的旨意。」

樞機指出，當代社會迅速變遷，而人工智能的廣泛應用已無可避免，面對這樣的局勢，教會更需紮根於良知與信仰。他也分享自己的牧職體會，當人依循一個經充分培育的良心發言時，即使引來批評，內心仍能保持自由。

他分享說：「每當我按著良心說話時，即使受到攻擊，內心依然能感受到平安。」

周樞機最後勉勵天主教傳播者，要從個人良心與團體良心出發，這良心是透過共議辨識而逐步形成的。他說：「按照良心說話並不是一種負擔，反而是一種釋放與自由。」

他並引用耶穌的話：「我的軛是柔和的」(瑪竇福音11:30)，樞機表示，當天主教傳播者「以真心發聲、讓聖神引領」時，也同樣會感受到這份從主而來的安然與力量。

來源：天主教亞洲真理電台

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香港教區主教周守仁樞機2025年將臨期牧函

December 10, 2025 by

圖片拍攝：@josephlam.photography

二零二五年將臨期牧函

「來！我們攀登上主的聖山，往雅各伯天主的殿裏去！他必指示我們他的道路，教給我們循行他的途徑。」（依撒意亞2:3）

親愛的姊妹弟兄：

以望德為主題的禧年即將結束。但結束的不是望德。希望是將臨期的精神本質，在這節期，我們預備自己去慶祝默西亞的第一次來臨，並期盼祂的再來。若沒有希望，我們為何要攀登上主的聖山，往天主的殿裡去？我們為何要接受天主的指示，走在祂的道路？

我們基督徒的盼望不是建基於俗世所提供的短暫承諾。這些承諾並不來自天主，無法長久，更無法超越此生。將臨期再次提醒我們，盼望在於天主，祂的承諾永世長存。無疑，有些痛苦是因為我們把希望寄託於錯誤的地方。

希望的傳承者

在禧年即將結束之際，我們教區也開始慶祝成立80周年。我們將於今年12月8日舉行序幕典禮，慶祝活動將貫通2026年。80周年慶典的主題是「希望的傳承者」，因著天主在我們內的愛，我們既是希望的接收者，也同樣蒙召成為希望的媒介。在這個理想淡去的世界裡，讓我們一起成為希望的朝聖者。為著目前以至未來的世代，我們就是希望的傳承者。

發展中的共議同行教會

許多人問我們如何在教區內推展共議同行。事實上，我們自2021年起便開始為共議同行打下基礎，與2023年和2024年的兩次世界主教代表會議一起發展。根據主教代表會議的工作文件，共議同行是有關天主子民的「共融、參與、使命」，對教會這個團體，有著真正的歸屬感和問責，以邁向合一。也因此我們更有動力去分辨和落實由天主交託給我們的使命。

從世界主教代表會議的工作文件和最終文件中，我們可以看到，共議性的教會其基礎在於天主子民一起去聆聽和分辨。近年來，「聖神內交談」這方法已展現出它可靠的潛力，讓平信徒、修道人和聖職人員為共同目標一起祈禱，彼此尊重地認真聆聽，並透過大家的共識（共滙點）和差異（分歧點）去共同分辨。張力不一定會帶來破壞，反而可激發創意，促使各方與張力共處，並在適當的時候深入探討，以求達成嶄新而共同的理解。

我愈多體驗這種交談和分辨方式，就愈欣賞到它能夠是第一個將我們凝聚一起的教會靈修方式。不論我們的角色、地位、職務和靈修背景， 我們都共享同一的靈性語言和進行方式。多令人振奮！

我們會在2026年協助各堂區和工作小組學習這方法。2027年，我們計劃召開教區大會（diocesan assembly），而作為發展中的共議同行教會，在大會中我們會運用「聖神內交談」這方法去分辨牧民計劃。我們會陸續公佈詳情，請大家祈禱和一起參與。

可以預期的是，共議同行的前設是要有文化轉變，而這轉變又跟心靈皈依密不可分。因為共議同行不是民主體制，而是共同分辨達致共識的過程。此外，它並不要求教會放棄聖統制，因為聖統制對於天主教會的共議同行仍然是必須的。

英語和普通話牧民職務

為了更好地應對人口結構的變化，並認真履行我們作為共議性的教會的召叫，我們設立了兩個團隊，分別負責為英語和普通話的團體提供牧民服務，切合他們各自的牧民需要。

「搭建橋樑」是我們教區的一項重要使命，我們應該明白到所鍾愛的香港作為國際城市的意義，並留意到本地有愈來愈多說英語的人士— 無論是出於個人意願還是因著生活需要而來港。我們不能忽視教宗方濟各在2023年的呼籲：「擴展我們的帳篷，向外延伸。」對我們而言，香港也有著愈來愈多說普通話的移民和學生。他們是我們的姊妹兄弟，也是善牧派來我們當中的、有機會成教會的一員。

為我們的青年與長者注入力量

有令人鼓舞的跡象顯示，在一些堂區，青年的參與有所提升。但我們希望能更好地讓他們融入教會。要讓青年有意義地參與教會生活，讓他們在所屬團體參與決策過程，特別是在自己的堂區。他們要知道團體重視他們的付出和意見，那不僅是請他們付出勞力。青年是我們發展共議同行時不可或缺的夥伴。

我們也要特別關注對長者的照顧。許多長者為疾病所困擾、感到孤獨和被遺棄。事實上，他們是瑰寶，讓我們連結那屬於我們的歷史和文化遺產。這對需要了解先賢歷史和傳統的青年尤其重要，他們可從中多欣賞自己的身份和文化資產。希望這能夠讓青年既與長者建立更好聯繫的同時， 又讓他們懷著信心走向未來。

與貧窮人、無聲者及受造界同行

教宗良十四世在他首份宗座勸諭《我愛了你》（Dilexi Te）熱誠地指出，貧窮人和邊緣群體不是我們憐憫的對象，反而是我們自身不可分割的一部分。我們可以向他們學習，從而豐富我們自身的貧窮（參 #100）。因為我們的教會始終是為貧窮人、也屬於貧窮人的教會（參第三章）。作為希望的傳承者，我們必須接納貧窮人和邊緣群體，不讓他們被遺忘或受歧視。他們在各自的堂區以至在香港的教會中，同樣擁有正式的位置。

最後，我們與地球上的其他生命體一樣，都是天主創造的整體成員之一。因此，我們實是與眾生共享同一家園，這意味著我們的福祉和困苦與眾生的息息相關。為了成為受造界負責任的管家，我們需要在各自的團體中研讀《願祢受讚頌》通諭，並實踐生態皈依。

例如，我們應該從自覺地在家居、堂區、辦公室和各中心等地方，開始減少使用膠樽和膠容器等塑膠製品。微膠粒污染環境，破壞食物鏈，這必然會損害我們的健康。難道我們要把這些留給我們的共同家園和子孫後代嗎？

教宗方濟各在他最後一道有關耶穌聖心之愛的通諭中，亦支持上述的建議，當中方濟各描述耶穌的愛如同從他被刺穿的心中流淌而出的水和血。「因為當酣飲此愛時，我們就有能力與他人締結兄弟情誼、承認每個人都具有人性尊嚴，並同心協力關懷我們的共同家園。」（《祂愛了我們》通諭，第217號）。

我的姊妹、兄弟和朋友們，我們蒙召成為希望的傳承者，這並非為了我們自己，而是為了彼此，特別是那些仍在掙扎的人，為他們來說希望已變得渺茫。我們的世界，需要天主子民為這些掙扎中的人去展示出愛與希望是真實的，如果他們願意擁抱愛與希望，並重拾來自天主的修復力，那麼創傷便能得治癒。

祝大家有一個蒙受祝福並且滿載希望的將臨期！

周守仁樞機
香港教區主教

Advent pastoral letter 2025

“Come, let us climb the Lord’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” (Isaiah 2:3)

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

The Jubilee Year of Hope is coming to an end. But not hope in itself. Hope is the essence of the Advent Season, when we prepare ourselves to celebrate the first coming and anticipate the second coming of our Messiah. For without hope, why would we climb the Lord’s mountain to the house of God? Why would we want to receive instructions from God to walk in God’s path?

Our Christian hope does not count on the transient promises offered by the secular world. These promises, not coming from God, cannot last and certainly not beyond this lifetime. The Advent Season reminds us once again that our hope is in God, whose promise lasts forever. Some suffering is, indeed, the result of our misplaced hope.

Messengers of Hope

While the Jubilee Year draws to a close, our diocese is starting to celebrate the 80th anniversary of its establishment. We will hold the inaugural celebration on December 8 this year, with celebrations spanning through 2026. And the theme for the anniversary year is “Messengers of Hope,” for we are all recipients as well as called to be agents of hope, well-supported by the love of God within us. Together, we are pilgrims of hope in this disillusioned world. And we are messengers of hope for both the present and future generations.

A Developing Synodal Church

Many have asked how we are going to develop synodality within the diocese. Actually, we have started laying the foundation for synodality since 2021, alongside the two assemblies of the Synod of Bishops for Synodality held in 2023 and 2024.

Synodality, as defined by the working documents of the Synod, is about “Communion, Participation, Mission” of the People of God, coming into unity with a real sense of belonging and accountability to this community, which we call the Church. With that, we are energised to participate in the discernment and implementation of our missions given by God.

Learning from the working documents and the Final Document of the Synod for Synodality, we can see that the basics of a synodal Church are to listen and discern together as the People of God. The methodology of “The Conversation in the Spirit” has demonstrated, in recent years, its reliable potential for laypeople, religious, and clergy alike to pray together for a common purpose, listen attentively to each other with respect, and discern together through their consensus (convergences) and differences (divergences). Tensions need not be destructive but can be creative, calling the parties involved to live with them and to go deeper for a new, unifying understanding at an appropriate time.

The more I have experienced this conversational and discerning method, the more I have come to appreciate that it can be the first ecclesial spirituality that brings us together. We will share a unifying spiritual language and way of proceeding, regardless of our roles, status, ministries, and spiritual backgrounds. This is exciting!

We will help parishes and work units learn this method in 2026. In 2027, we plan to hold a diocesan assembly using this method to discern our pastoral plan as a developing synodal Church. More details will be provided along the way for your prayers and participation.

One can imagine that synodality presupposes cultural changes, which in turn are integrally associated with the conversion of the heart. For synodality is not a democracy, but rather a process of discernment in common for consensus. Also, it does not require the Church to dismiss the hierarchy, because hierarchy remains essential for the synodality of the Catholic Church.

English and Putonghua Pastoral Ministries

In order to better respond to the changing demographics and to take seriously our vocation as a synodal Church, we are setting up two separate teams with mandates to provide pastoral services to the English-speaking and Putonghua-speaking communities, respectively, addressing their specific pastoral needs.

Recalling that an important mission of our Diocese is “bridging,” we should recognise the international significance of our beloved Hong Kong and the growing number of English-speaking locals, either by preference or by necessity. Neither can we ignore Pope Francis’ call “to enlarge our tent and to reach out” in 2023, which for us is the increasing number of Putonghua-speaking migrants and students in Hong Kong. They are our sisters, brothers, and potential members sent to us by our Good Shepherd.

Empowering our Youth and Elderly

While there are encouraging signs of increased participation from young people at some parishes, we want to better integrate them into our Church. It is advisable to involve the youth in meaningful ways, in the decision-making processes of where they belong, especially in their own parishes. They need to know that their communities value their inputs and insights, not only for their physical strength. They are our indispensable partners for the synodal development.

We should also pay special attention to the care of our elderly, many of whom are struggling with sickness, loneliness and feelings of abandonment. In fact, they are our treasures connecting us to our history and cultural heritage. This is particularly important for our young people who need to understand their ancestral history and heritage, so to better appreciate their identity and the assets that they have. Hopefully, this will help them strive with confidence into the future, while staying better connected with the elderly here and now.

Walking with the Poor, Voiceless, and the Creation Pope Leo XIV passionately points out in his first Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi Te, that the poor and the marginalised are not objects of our mercy, but very much part of who we are. We can learn from them so to enrich our own poverty (c.f. #100). That our Church is always a Church for the poor and of the poor (c.f. Chapter 3). As messengers of hope, we must include the poor and the marginalised, not allowing them to become forgotten or discriminated against. They also have a legitimate place in their own parishes and the Church in Hong Kong.

Finally, we are all integral members of God’s creation together with other life forms on Earth. Hence, we share our common home with them, meaning our welfare and suffering are woven with theirs. In order to be responsible stewards of the Creation, we need to study Laudato Si’ in our respective communities and work on our ecological conversion.

It should be advisable for us, for example, to start with a willful reduction of plastic consumption, such as plastic bottles and containers, at our homes, parishes, offices and centres, etc. Plastic particles contaminate our environment, pollute the food chains, and inevitably damage our health. Is this what we want for our common home and the future of our children?

The aforementioned mandates are well supported by Pope Francis in his final encyclical on the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, describing how Jesus’ love is like water and blood flowing out from his pierced heart. “For it is by drinking of the same love that we become capable of forging bonds of fraternity, of recognising the dignity of each human being, and of working together to care for our common home (Delixit Nos, no. 217).

My sisters, brothers, and friends, we are called to be messengers of hope, not really for ourselves but for one another, especially those who are struggling so much that hope becomes impossible to them. Our world needs the People of God to show them that love and hope are real, which will heal their wounds if they also embrace them, and reconcile with their reparatory power that comes from God.

May you all be blessed with a Hope-filled Advent Season!

+ Stephen Cardinal Chow, S.J.

來源：天主教香港教區

Filed Under: 香港教區, Highlight, 將臨期 Tagged With: , , , ,

周守仁樞機：為在中國的教會祈禱

May 25, 2025 by

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

【鹽與光傳媒資訊】香港時間2025年5月24日下午3時，天主教香港教區於聖母無原罪主教座堂舉行「為中國教會祈禱日彌撒 」，由天主教香港教區主教周守仁樞機主禮。在彌撒講道中，周樞機指出：「為在國內的教會，不同地方的教會，不論是公開或地下的，因為不同的因素，處境也就不一樣。但他們各自心中的那份非一般的感受，我們只可以用心意及祈禱陪伴著他們。」

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

以下是講道全文：

為在中國的教會祈禱 — 2025

宗 1:12-14

若 19:25-27

主耶穌升天後，在那閣樓的房間陪同宗徒們一起祈禱和等待的是耶穌的母親瑪利亞和一些色括婦女的門徒。但是，聖神尚未降臨時的宗徒和門徒們還是恐懼迫害。同時亦不知他們的團體應該怎樣走下去，怎樣傳福音呢？所以，耶穌的母親選擇留下來陪伴她兒子的團體，相信她的臨在為他們會是重要的。正有「阿媽在大廳」的意義。

為在國內的教會，不同地方的教會，不論是公開或地下的，因為不同的因素，處境也就不一樣。但他們各自心中的那份非一般的感受，我們只可以用心意及祈禱陪伴著他們。

請大家不要以一竹篙打一船人，無論是公開或地下的。因為影響他們的因素只有他們才知道，只有上主才能鑒察他們的內心。並不會是某些報導或人士所說的就是事實的全部。也請不要太簡單地看待國內教會的情況。只有上主才能對人作判斷。「你們應當慈悲，就像你們的父那樣慈悲。你們不要判斷，你們就不受判斷；不要定罪，也就不被定罪」（路六：36-37）

我們可以相信無論是公開和地下的團體，大愛公義的天主也是和他們同在。聖父，聖子及聖神從來沒有離棄他們，而是在引導他們走向更大的自由、真理、安慰和光明的境界。同時，他們對聖三的開放和接受也是重要的。那是一個逾越的旅程，為他們是死而復活，以虛空自我的愛去服務，為主作見証。我們可以為他們在這方面多祈禱。

「中華聖母及瑪利亞進教之佑」也必定是在陪伴和安慰她兒子在國內的姊妹弟兄。願他們平安喜樂，也願他們共融合一。更願他們以共融的精神和行動為天主對中華兒女的大愛作見証，一起建設一個更具真、善、美、愛的中國！這是我們基督徒要活出的信德，望德及愛德。

我們也要祈禱和相信上主會用祂超越人類智慧的辦法去祝福祖國和國家的政府，讓中國能夠在當今的自私自利世界裡，成為一個活出更具真理、公義、不同實力，也能夠與這個世界同舟共濟，守望相助的真正大國。

+周守仁樞機

Imagine you are Mary. Yes, the mother of Jesus. How do you see your son hanging on the cross? What emotions well up in you and how do they hit you? But Jesus did not forget his widow mother even at his last breaths. He entrusted his mother to John, his beloved disciple. “Woman, behold, your son.” “ ‘Behold, your mother.’ And from that hour onward the disciple took her into his home.”

If we read today’s gospel passage from a theological angel, we can understand Jesus was making this “woman”, the new Eve, the mother of the faith community or the Church of the beloved John the Apostle. The Johannine Christianity was handed down to us in writing through the Gospel and the Letters of John. This early Church had the Mother of Jesus accompanying them during its post-Ascension inception period.

Similarly, what we have read from today’s passage in the Acts of the Apostles, we are informed of an early faith community living in fears that they could also be persecuted. There they “devoted themselves with one accord to prayer.” In this prayerful and synodal spirit they waited in faith, hope and love for the day when their community would be filled with the promised gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially the gifts of truth and consolation.

Again, the mother of Jesus was there, accompanying and praying with them. What more would she be afraid of losing? Nothing, after what had happened to her dear son. But what she would be aware of was that, these disciples of her son would appreciate her accompaniment and consolation. We believe that Our Lady of China and Mary Help of Christians has been with the People of God in China all the time. Praying for and assuring them with her maternal consolation.

+ Cardinal Stephen Chow

來源：周守仁樞機

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

Photo courtesy of Joseph Lam

Filed Under: 聖母, 香港教區, Highlight, Jubilee Year, Lent 四旬期 / Holy Week 聖週 / Easter 復活期, 中國教會 Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

天主教香港教區主教周守仁樞機2025年復活節文告

April 17, 2025 by

圖片提供：Joseph Lam

2025年復活節文告
不要讓懼怕死亡使我們變得軟弱 ！

他們就彼此說：「當他在路上與我們談話，給我們講解《聖經》的時候，我們的心不是火熱的嗎？」（路24:32）

復活節是基督的教會慶祝生命戰勝死亡、光明穿透黑暗、修和拉近分歧、希望取代絕望的時期。然而，面對著如今日益自我中心、咄咄逼人的專横文化，人們要保持希望，已經變得太奢侈、太難達到了。

在撰寫這文章時，美國總統特朗普宣布了針對全球各國和地區不同的關稅方案。全球情緒變得黯淡、擔憂和悲觀。人們愈來愈擔心全球經濟可能出現衰退。這跟困擾全球的區域戰爭、地緣政治緊張局勢和自然災害可能同時出現。至於那些經濟條件差、國際或社會地位低微的人民，永遠是最受苦的一群。

第二次世界大戰後各國多年來建立的所謂「國際社會」究竟發生了甚麼變故？公認的世界秩序在不同程度上支持著我們在商業、金融、跨境流動、國際社會政治事務等領域的運作，如今這些秩序又何去何從？然而，這些我們習以為常的國際條約和慣例，看似在我們眼前逐漸瓦解，同一時間又看不到任何可替代的世界秩序，能夠重建人們的信心。

我們留意到出現了根本性的改變，但面對這些改變時卻感到無助。我們能否影響國際情緒的演變軌跡？還是，我們必須扮演坐以待斃的角色，任人宰割？

耶穌基督，世界的救主和歷史的主宰，為我們眾人而死，無論基督徒與否。「至於我，當我從地上被舉起來時，便要吸引眾人來歸向我。」（若望12:32）然而，當耶穌在十字架上受難之後，這福音卻不被全部門徒所接受。許多人視耶穌會帶來個人風險而逃走。當耶穌被釘十字架後，一切關乎他的盼望與計劃，都變得毫無意義。

但有關他死而復活、那最不可能的報道，卻徹底地改變了整個敍述。那原本無意義的變成了有意義。原本無希望的變成了有希望。死亡的惡臭變成了復活的芬芳。看似是絕對和最終的事情，其實是等待上主生命之光介入前的黑暗時期。光明告訴世人，黑暗永遠不是絕對的，邪惡和死亡不會得意到最後。因此，為我們和世界來說，最重要的是，即使在最黑暗的時刻，也不要失去希望。

當我們內心有了希望之光，便可確信，大家團結起來時便可帶來改變。就像那些沮喪的耶穌跟隨者，當他們徹底失望地離開耶路撒冷時，卻與復活的基督相遇，之後他們

便懷著新得來的希望返回他們的團體當中，為基督的復活作證（參路 24:13-35）。他們帶著由復活而來的希望，幫助建立自己的團體。

在當前處境，人們開始失去希望，這轉變的速度驚人，對於奮力保持積極態度的我們又有甚麼意義？讓人憂愁的變化看來是不可避免的，而我們不知曉的新世界秩序似乎在形成的過程之中。

然而，因著基督復活的緣故，死亡成為了人類通往榮耀永生的門徑。我們可以繼續對那創造萬有生命的生命、對那在最黑暗時刻仍陪伴著我們的大愛抱持希望。因為上主就是那生命與大愛。我們相信，死亡與轉變都是引領我們走向更嶄新、更遼闊視野的門徑。

在死亡這邪惡的終極武器前，我們千萬不要失去希望。如果我們任由自己在邪惡的閙劇下失去希望，死亡便成為我們的終局。但基督的復活為我們揭示了一個截然不同的現實—— 當中充滿了希望和令人振奮的無盡可能，帶領我們走向生命。我們可選擇走上那一條路：死亡或復活。要相信希望的集體力量和人的意志力，也要相信我們作為全球公民的聯合行動，我們不僅僅是各自國家的愛國者。

生命與大愛的上主常與我們同在、啟迪我們、賦予我們力量，為了上善與更好的生命而同心合意，特別是為了那些最末後無靠、最失落無救和最卑微無助的人們。

最後，東西方的基督教會今年都在同一天慶祝復活節，這是慶祝我們共同傳承的最好機會。祝大家在這 2025 年以至往後的年月，都有一個蒙福而充滿希望的復活節 ！基督的確復活了，亞肋路亞 ！

+周守仁樞機

2025年復活節

按此下載中文PDF文件檔

Easter message 2025
Let not the fear of death weaken us! 

Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32)

Easter is a time when Christian churches celebrate life overcoming death, light piercing through darkness, reconciliation bridging divisions, and hope replacing despair. However, in today’s increasingly egoistic and aggressively domineering culture, it has become too luxurious and unattainable for anyone to remain hopeful.

While this message is being composed, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced different tariff schemes for countries and territories around the world. Global sentiments have turned bleak, worrisome and pessimistic. There are growing fears of a potential global recession. This could occur alongside regional warfare, geopolitical tensions, and natural disasters that have been distressing our world. Those who will suffer the most are always those with little means and low international or social status.

What has happened to the so-called international community, which different countries have built up over the years since the Second World War? What about the recognised world order that has, in varying degrees, supported our approach to commerce, finance, cross-border mobilities, international socio-political affairs, and more? However, these conventions that we have mostly taken for granted seem to be dissolving before our eyes, with no apparent alternative world order available to instil confidence.

We can sense fundamental changes are happening, but we feel helpless in the face of them. Can we alter the course of changes that affect international sentiments? Or, must we play the role of sitting ducks, ready to be shot at?

Jesus Christ, Savior of the world and the Lord of history, has died for all of us, Christians or not. “And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself” (John 12:32). Nonetheless, this good news was not well received by all of his disciples after his death on the cross. A good number of them fled as they perceived him as a personal risk. Every hope and plan that included Jesus simply became pointless after his death on the cross.

But the most unlikely reports of his rising from the dead changed the entire narrative. What was pointless became meaningful. What was hopeless became hopeful. The stench of death was turned into the fragrance of resurrection. What seemed to be absolute and final was, in fact, a darkened phase awaiting the intrusion of God’s life-giving light. The light that tells the world that darkness is never absolute and that evil and death cannot have the last laugh. Therefore, what is of utmost importance for us and the world is that we must not lose hope even in the darkest hours of the night.

With the light of hope within us, we can be certain that, collectively, we can make a difference. Like the dejected followers of Jesus who encountered the risen Christ as they were leaving Jerusalem in utter disappointment, they returned to their community testifying to his resurrection with newfound hope after their encounter with the risen Christ (cf. Luke 24:13-35). They helped in the building up of their community with Easter hope.

What does this mean for us struggling to remain somewhat positive amid current situations where hope is fading away at a distressing rate? Disturbing changes are apparently inevitable while a new world order unknown to us seems to be in the making.

But because of Easter, death has become the gateway to the glory of eternal life for the entire humanity. We can remain hopeful in the Life that creates all lives and the Love that accompanies us even in the darkest hours. For God is that Life and Love. We can believe that death and change are gateways leading us to newer and greater horizons.

Never lose our hope against death, the ultimate weapon of evil. Should we allow ourselves to become helpless with the follies of evil, death will also become our final destiny. But Easter presents us with a totally different reality — one filled with infinite exciting possibilities and hope leading us to life. It is our choice as to which path to follow: death or resurrection. Have faith in the collective strength of hope and human willpower, as well as in our united actions as global citizens, not only patriots of our respective countries.

The God of life and love will always be with us, enlightening and empowering us, united in heart and mind for a greater good and a better life, especially for those who are the last, the lost and the least.

Last but not least, Christian churches in the East and West are celebrating Easter on the same day this year — a perfect opportunity to celebrate our common heritage. Have a blessed and hope-filled Easter throughout 2025 and beyond! Christ is indeed risen, Alleluia!

+ Stephen Cardinal Chow, S.J.
2025 Easter

來源：天主教香港教區

Filed Under: 香港教區, Highlight, Jubilee Year, Lent 四旬期 / Holy Week 聖週 / Easter 復活期 Tagged With: , , ,

香港教區主教周守仁樞機2025年四旬期牧函：蒙召為希望而皈依

March 8, 2025 by

圖片：天主教香港教區

蒙召為希望而皈依

按此閱讀英語牧函 English Version

各位親愛的姊妹兄弟：

我們進入了一個本質上不主要是禁食和做補贖的節期。四旬期召叫我們踏上真正皈依的旅程，這代表著它不只是知性上的皈依。我們是被召喚去投入一次發自內心、不斷深化的轉向行動。當我們的心和理智經歷了皈依，我們的靈性也會有所轉化，特別是當我們在祈禱的寧靜中默觀這樣的召叫。

皈依的一個重要指標，是認識到天國不是抽象的概念，而是與我們的生活處境扣連一起。它就在我們現實處境的核心。天國是體現於正義、和平與仁愛之中，這些都是主的福音所提及的特徵。

「正義」可見於葡萄園家主的愛心，他給所有僱工相同的工資， 包括最弱小和不受歡迎的僱工（ 參瑪 20：1-16）。「和平」是建立在宗徒間最大的哪一位的謙卑（參路 22： 24-30），並通過共融聖事彰顯出來的合一之上（參格前 10：14 -17）。「仁愛」徹底地體現在耶穌為門徒洗腳（參若 13： 1 -17）和他對井邊被邊緣化的撒瑪黎雅婦人的慈愛之上（參若 4：5-30）。我們如何在自己的處境中識別這三個特徵？又如何在我們各自的處境中實踐這些特徵出來？

我們蒙召叫要把天國帶進不斷轉變的自身處境當中，所以，我們要認真地去辨別：我們應該擁抱甚麼，或是放下甚麼，好能騰出空間，容讓天國在我們中間實現出來？

以「聖神內交談」作為基礎的「共同辨別」是值得推薦的方法，可用來辨別哪些要捨棄，哪些要保留，又或是要設立甚麼，從而使我們的教會在複雜而交織著張力的處境中實踐使命。作為天主子民，既要有教會傳統的智慧，又要有聖神在這些處境中指引給我們的創意。因此，我們要學習如何在自己的處境中透過團體分辨，去開展具同理心的交談，這是非常值得的。

然而我們也留意到，人有著支配別人的慾望，也受著誘惑要不惜代價去繼續鞏固自己的特權地位。不幸地，這種慾望和誘惑正成為我們文化規範的一部分。但我們基督徒的生活可不應如此，儘管世俗文化跟我們說著相反的觀念。我們的心在哪裡，也將引導我們未來走到哪裡，包括塵世寓居後的生活。因此，明智的做法是審視我們的內心，把它重新定位向著我們想走去哪永恆之處。

當然，還有其他力量在爭奪我們的靈魂，例如恐懼、焦慮、嫉妒、怨恨，以及其他虛耗生命的能量。它們限制著我們極其需要、在信德上的跳躍，好讓我們得以成長和享有更大的美善。在福音蕩子的故事中，哥哥就是一個典型例子（參路 15： 25 -30）。他和父親一起生活並不快樂，感到的是恐懼和焦慮。作為順從的兒子，哥哥從不忤逆父親，這是他唯一可以有的選擇。但很不幸，他不會想像自己是一位愛著和信任父親的兒子。不然的話，他可放心地、自由地提出要跟朋友好好地歡宴慶祝。

那麼，在我們的個人意識中，又會用甚麼來參照天父的形象呢？ 我們真的能接受並感激一位總是憐憫罪人的上主嗎？而那些得蒙憐憫的人包括我們鄙視、敬而遠之、以及那些不悔改而看似不配天主憐憫的人。作為共議同行的教會，在麈世的旅途上要與別人偕行的子民， 包括那些我們拒絕或忽視的人，我們要細聽聖神在我們內心的聲音。因此，容讓生命和愛的聖神轉化我們的心，我們便可成為真正懷抱著希望的朝聖者。

我們基督徒的希望是建立在天主無條件的大愛之上，天主子為世人的自我犧牲，實現了天主救贖的應許。因此，我們完全有理由去懷抱希望、持守希望、並把這希望分享給渴望看到它的人。我們內裡或在周遭有著虛耗生命的邪惡能量，它們能產生那些限制著我們的感覺和思想，如果我們能超越它們，就可以憑著包容的大愛，與天主與別人建立更深厚的關係。這樣，我們就會變得更自由，也會看到希望即將來臨。

最後要說的是，我們很多人都喜歡看到螢火蟲在夜空共舞的景象。多麼瑰麗的情景！它們一起照亮了四周的黑暗，給觀賞者帶來喜樂和希望。由希望的朝聖者所組成、共議同行的教會，確實可以成為現今世界的壯麗景象。

周守仁樞機
天主教香港教區主教

來源：天主教香港教區

Filed Under: 香港教區, Highlight, Jubilee Year, Lent 四旬期 / Holy Week 聖週 / Easter 復活期 Tagged With: , , ,

天主教香港教區主教周守仁樞機2024年聖誕賀辭

December 24, 2024 by

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 !
+
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!
+
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

Filed Under: 聖誕期, 香港教區, Highlight Tagged With: , , , , ,

周守仁樞機2024年將臨期牧函

December 2, 2024 by

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

Filed Under: 香港教區, Highlight, 將臨期 Tagged With: , ,

利瑪竇神父專題會議：「友誼、對話與和平的遺產」

November 21, 2024 by

圖片：Vatican Media

「佘山聖母，請援助那些在日常勞苦中，仍繼續相信、希望、和實踐愛德的中國教友，使他們不必懼怕向世界宣講耶穌，並在耶穌跟前為世界祈禱。」

2024年11月15日上午，在宗座額我略大學舉辦了一場討論利瑪竇的專題會議，主題為「友誼、對話與和平的遺產」。這場會議以本篤十六世向佘山聖母的祈禱文拉開序幕，主辦方是耶穌會、耶穌會歷史檔案館、喬治城大學，以及宗座額我略大學。會議主持人、利瑪竇神父列品申請人隆巴爾迪（Federico Lombardi）神父表示，利瑪竇神父「是耶穌會傳教士中最傑出的人物之一，他實現了聖方濟各·沙勿略將福音傳到東亞中心的願望」。

在當天上午的會議發言中，聖座國務卿帕羅林樞機概述了近3位教宗關於利瑪竇神父的思想和言論，以及這個形象的現實性和重要性。這3位教宗就是聖若望保祿二世、本篤十六世，以及當今教宗方濟各。耶穌會總會長蘇薩神父(Arturo Sosa)談到利瑪竇的勇氣、謙遜和恆心。他強調利瑪竇不是一個「單槍匹馬的偉人」，而是扎根於教會的一個形象。

香港教區主教周守仁樞機(Stephen Chow)則從利瑪竇神父的經歷出發，講述了新中國的發展與天主教會的關係。他說，這種發展「也影響了天主教會的發展」。周樞機簡述了在中國的天主教會最近數十年各個階段的艱難歷程，給與會者上了一堂「歷史課」。樞機表示，中國向世界開放後，也與海外的宗教專家和宗教學術機構的學者接觸，這幫助人們了解，「宗教是人類文明的一部分，不能被強行壓制」。甚至「人們也了解到，宗教能惠及中國社會的發展」。

周樞機表示，中國今天成了世界第二經濟大國，在世界舞台上也是個強國，有「自己的夢想」和目標。中國天主教會面對新的現實，在這個進程中，「對話」很重要。為「取得對話就需要有同理心，藉著同理心我們能更深入地彼此了解」。樞機期望，有「一個真正中國人的教會」。

來源:梵蒂岡新聞網

Filed Under: Highlight Tagged With: , ,

給所有人的教會：在變化的世界中，同道偕行(共議同行)且兼容並蓄【中文字幕】

October 31, 2024 by

圖片：耶穌會羅馬總院

香港主教周守仁樞機，在過去一個月積極參與以「同道偕行」（共議同行）為題的世界主教代表會議的第16屆常規會議第二會期 (the Second Session of the Synod on Synodality)。在接受耶穌會總院通傳中心的這個專訪中，他論及對於世界主教會議所懷抱的希望，強調需要一個能促成眾人，包括神職人員、修道人士以及平信徒等，在這條道路上一起同行的結果。他說，真實的生活經驗、分辨與反思，將有助於這種兼容並蓄的方式。

周樞機反思同道偕行，強調了和諧 (harmony) 的價值，它有別於統一性 (uniformity) 。他提到，在他擔任主教的香港這樣的地區，以及整個亞洲大陸，於多元中尊重合一 (unity) 的同時，維持和諧也至關重要。

這位出身耶穌會的樞機，也引用他在耶穌會的培育，解釋他對世界主教會議的看法，尤其是在接受主教會議工作的成果時，個人所意識到的自由。雖然每個決定並非都能受到眾人一致同意，但他強調：「天主臨在其中、臨於成果（文件）當中。 而且它是天主的愛，是天主忠實與我們同在的許諾。」

大公主義 (Ecumenism) 及跨信仰交談很重要，特別是在像亞洲這樣宗教多元的區域。周樞機談到香港幾個主要宗教之間合作的努力。他強調，找出與其他基督宗教派別和其他宗教的共同點，並維持友好關係的重要性。

周樞機進而響應教宗對教會的呼籲，走入邊緣族群之中。他也說明，這些邊緣族群近在咫尺――他們存在於每個社會之中。這包括無法為自己發聲的窮人、難民及弱勢族群。他強調，教會必須為他們發聲，並站在最前線為他們喉舌。最重要的，周樞機相信，世界主教代表會議帶來的真正改變，是一個學習用同理心傾聽與對話的同時，「一起前行、一起邁向旅程的教會」。

文/圖/影片：耶穌會羅馬總院

轉載：耶穌會中華省

Filed Under: Highlight, synod Tagged With: , ,
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