Handle with care: Pastor says proper debate can heal Hong Kong's political divide
In the first of a series of interviews with key religious leaders, Christian Council chairman says non-violent civil disobedience has a role
Christians should continue to speak up on social issues even if they have to engage in civil disobedience, a church heavyweight has said.
But the Reverend Yuen Tin-yau opposed violent means of expression, such as storming buildings or verbally abusing others.
He advised Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying, Beijing loyalists and Christian leaders to "be careful" how they handled critical voices if they were to heal the political divide in Hong Kong.
"It's healthy to have different voices in a society, and that people can fight for their goals in their ways … so personally, I had no antipathy towards [Occupy protesters] rallying on the streets, but I oppose people who destroyed the government's properties and insulted others," Yuen said, referring to the 79-day pro-democracy movement last year.
Yuen is a Methodist pastor who chairs the Hong Kong Christian Council, an umbrella group of 22 churches, denominations and societies such as the Anglican and Lutheran churches.
Christian clerics are divided on topics such as reform, Occupy Central and gay rights. The Reverend Chu Yiu-ming of Chai Wan Baptist Church co-founded the Occupy Central campaign and in June, Anglican Church secretary general, the Reverend Peter Koon Ho-ming, was criticised for suggesting that Hongkongers should "behave because a cat would be granted more freedom by its master for good conduct".