紀念胡振中樞機安息主懷二十周年感恩聖祭

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紀念胡振中樞機安息主懷二十周年感恩聖祭

胡振中樞機於1925年生於廣東省,並且於家鄕受洗為天主教徒。他於21歲那年進入當時在香港的華南總修院攻讀神哲學。6年後於香港的「聖母無原罪主教座堂」領受鐸職。隨後新鐸被派到九龍的東頭村為艱民服務。

一年後,即1953年,胡神父被派遣到羅馬的傳信大學攻讀「教會法律」。這位天資聰穎的學生在三年後以「一級榮譽」拿了教律博士學位。跟著他去了美國的紐約、波士頓、芝加哥等總教區的秘書處受訓。隨之就是18年在台灣新竹教區苗栗縣的牧民服務。香港教區慶幸在1975年得到教廷委任胡神父為第五任主教。

胡主教為教區貢獻了多樣新猷。於1983年為司鐸、修道人及教友推出「教區更新運動」。翌年1984年發出「有關香港前途之聲明」。於1988年推出教區層面的諮詢文件「探討教區未來十年的路向」。

胡振中主教於1988年獲當時的教宗若望保祿二世擢升為樞機。

胡樞機於多事之秋的1989年發表了「邁向光輝十年」的牧函。三年後即1993年提出重組教區的大計。接著於1995年做了以上的牧函的「中期報告及計劃書」。為了準備第三個千禧年的新紀元,胡樞機於1999年宣佈將於2000年舉行「教區會議」。

胡主教及之後的胡樞機都有接受國家級和省級的「宗教事務局」邀請到訪內地。主教於1985年率領一個五人的代表團拜訪北京和上海。於1986年更率領一個七人的代表團訪問廣州及他在廣東東部的家鄕,更是首次和分離40年後的母親重聚。可以想像當時的情景是何等感人。八年後即1994年胡樞機也率領一個七人代表團官式訪問了北京、武漢和西安。

「的確,聖神說,讓他們勞苦之後安息吧,因為他們的功行常隨著他們。」「我在那裡,我的僕人也要在那裡。」在這些為香港教區和橋樑教會的發展的連串努力後,胡樞機於2002年9月23日離世,被接回天家。

胡主教令我印象深刻的事情也有好幾樣。在中英談判時,香港的局勢仍然不明朗,甚至是有點動盪的時候,他就帶領香港教區開始為未來策劃。他沒有因為不明朗而畏縮,要少做少錯。他卻為教區指出方向,也在1989年向我們教友及市民表示教會給香港的承諾。當時已有不少家庭移民海外,找尋他們的安樂窩。

胡樞機也努力實踐教宗若望保祿二世給他作為普世教會及在中國的教會的築橋人使命。那條橋由他及他的團隊在數次造訪內地及在內地的教會,一步一腳印地建立起來。那些使命的旅程有一定它們的難度,但也需要有它們才能成事。我們也需要承先啓後,讓教宗給我們的使命得以開花結果。

When Bishop Wu assumed his episcopacy, his Cantonese heavily spiced with Hakka plus Mandarin ascents was a great amusement for some but also a contemptuous point for others. His gentlemanly and discrete manner was sometimes criticized for not being outspoken. Yet it was his prudent and wise leadership that had led the Catholic community to publicly express our concerns and hope for a better China. Still remember what took place in the racecourse at Happy Valley in 1989?

But the most endearing qualities of Cardinal Wu to many and to me were his open-mindedness and inclusive mindset. He encouraged new ideas and experimentation, which could not go without, especially when creativity was required for discerning developments. This mindset should still be needed for us today when we are developing synodality for the desirable future of our Church according to the vision of the Second Vatican Council.

Yet, he was ready to accept the emotional costs of his pastoral leadership, not shying away from unpopular but important decisions. Even though that would mean being misunderstood by his own and others, his faith was clearly in his Lord. Being able to serve his God was a true blessing to him, though his actions might appear to be losses to others at the time. Losing for his God was actually a win to him. Are we willing to lose for God?
Cardinal Wu, please pray with us for your Diocese, your Church, your Hong Kong and China in your eternal home, especially when different levels of healings and reconciliations are still needed in our faith community as well as Hong Kong, our beloved home city.

胡樞機,請在你永恆的天家與我們一起祈禱,為你的教區、你的教會、你的香港及中國,特別當我們的信仰團體及香港,我們摯愛的家園,仍需要不同程度的療癒及修和。

天主教香港教區主教
周守仁

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