Fr Stephen Chow SJ installed as the 9th Bishop of Hong Kong

Fr Stephen Chow Sau Yan SJ was installed as the 9th Bishop of Hong Kong on 4 December in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. The episcopal ordination was officiated by Cardinal John Tong Hon. The whole diocese welcomed their new bishop, and earnestly requested the faithful to pray for the Diocese of Hong Kong.

The Coat of Arms of Bishop Stephen Chow includes a giraffe symbolising a big heart and a wide horizon, the Tsing-Ma Bridge showing the importance of connecting people, and a logo in the centre symbolising unity in plurality. Bishop Chow also uses the symbol of the Jesuits, “IHS”, and the Jesuit motto, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (For the Greater Glory of God).

In his address at the ceremony, Fr Chow shared his desire to “be a bridge between the government and the Church in Hong Kong, and between the Catholic Church, fellow Christian denominations, and other religions”. He emphasised that it is through “sincere connection” that “empathic understanding can be established, appreciation can be fostered, respect and trust can be deepened, and hopefully, collaboration can become a living culture in our community”.

However, Bishop Chow acknowledged that healing divisions and fostering connections will not be easy given the polarising events that have happened in recent years. He added that the pandemic, although destructive, has been “a blessing in disguise” for the people of Hong Kong who have reached out to help one another regardless of political or religious persuasions.

“This makes me ask if the current pandemic is not a time for us to become united through deeper and life-giving connections with each other,” said Bishop Chow. “It is possible that we can take this opportunity to build up a more compassionate global community if we can learn to live for and with each other.”

At the time of his appointment as Bishop of Hong Kong by the Holy Father in May, Bishop Chow was the Provincial of the Chinese Jesuit Province, which comprises Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, and mainland China. He is a seasoned educator and has been the Supervisor of Wah Yan College Hong Kong and Kowloon. Prior to his appointment as Provincial, he served as Formator of scholastics in Hong Kong.

Perhaps the many years he has spent accompanying young people have influenced his strong desire to foster the next generation of believers. Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, he urged young people not to be discouraged by the current circumstances, reassuring them that the Church would serve as an agent of reconciliation.