The Bishop of Hong Kong, Mons. Stephen Chow, arrived this Monday, April 17, in Beijing, the capital of China. It was a historic trip, the first of its kind in almost 30 years, amid some tensions between the Asian giant and the Vatican.
Bishop Chow, appointed Bishop of Hong Kong by Pope Francis in May 2021, received episcopal consecration in December of that same year.
The Jesuit prelate will be in Beijing for five days and who has been invited by the local diocese, has previously pointed out the importance of the Church in Hong Kong being a bridge between China and the island.
Hong Kong is a special area of China its citizens have historically enjoyed the freedom of worship even though mainland China there is a long history of persecution against Christians who defend the communist government.
As reported by the Associated Press, the Bishop of Hong Kong will meet the Bishop of Beijing, Bishop Joseph Li Shan. He will also visit the National Seminary of the Catholic Church in China and will preside at a Mass at the Xuanwumen Church.
The bishop will also visit the tomb of the Jesuit priest Matteo Ricci (1552-1610), one of the first members of the Society of Jesus to live in China.