Keeping silent on demands for universal suffrage will only create the impression that Hong Kong does not care enough about democracy, the head of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong said yesterday as he urged followers to march on December 4.
Bishop Joseph Zen Ze-kiun said the public should only consider the government reform package if a road map and timetable for universal suffrage were included.
Although faced with tough questions by the parishioners in a question-and-answer session on constitutional reform, the outspoken cleric urged his flock to join the public to fight for democracy.
'We want harmony. But even the Pope said there is a condition for peace, which is built on justice,' he said. 'This is a key moment. If you are anxious and want to have universal suffrage, you have to come out. If you don't march, people might think you do not care and would continue to drag the democratic development.'
Bishop Zen said the church's social teaching required followers to uphold principles of justice.
'Universal suffrage is not a panacea. But it can address issues which the present semi-democratic system cannot,' he said.
He denied a press report suggesting he was leading the opposition camp to fight against government reform.