Bishop Stephen Chow SJ of Hong Kong was among 21 bishops raised to the rank of cardinal by Pope Francis during a ceremony at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City on 30 September.
Chow, who was appointed bishop of Hong Kong in May 2021, said he was “surprised” at the news of his appointment and noted Pope Francis’ nickname as the “Pope of surprises”.
In an interview with Vatican News, Chow underscored the significance of having cardinals from across the four corners of the world. “I think the Church is getting richer with different voices”, he said.
He also highlighted the role of the Church in Hong Kong as a bridging church.
“I think this is an important role. Even Hong Kong itself in history is a bridge between East and West. And so is the church, between the church in China and the universal church. And we would like to see that come closer,” Chow shared with Vatican News.
During the ceremony, known as a Consistory, Pope Francis emphasised the importance of diversity for the future of the Catholic Church, comparing the College of Cardinals to a symphony orchestra.
“The College of Cardinals is called to resemble a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and synodality of the Church,” said Pope Francis. “Diversity is necessary; it is indispensable. However, each sound must contribute to the common design. This is why mutual listening is essential: each musician must listen to the others,” he added.
Chow is the fourth cardinal from the Hong Kong diocese. Before his appointment as bishop, he was the Provincial of the Chinese Jesuits from January 2018 to October 2021. He also served as Formator of scholastics in Hong Kong and trustee at Wah Yan College Hong Kong and Kowloon. For 13 years, from 2006 to 2019, he was the Chairman of the Jesuit Education Commission of the Chinese Jesuit Province.
Among the newly appointed cardinals, there is another Jesuit, Fr Angel Sixto Rossi SJ, Archbishop of Cordoba. Eighteen of the new cardinals, under the age of 80, including the 63-year-old Chow, will be eligible to vote for Pope Francis’ successor in the next conclave.
Photos from the Hong Kong Diocese Facebook page.