Hong Kong national security law: leader of city’s Catholics hopes ties with the Vatican will not fall foul of legislation
- Cardinal John Tong also hopes authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing could do more to ease people’s concerns over the proposed law
- He believes the legislation would not have any impact on religious freedoms guaranteed by the Basic Law
The leader of Hong Kong’s Catholics has said the city churches’ relations with the Vatican should not be deemed as “collusion with foreign forces” under the impending national security law.
Cardinal John Tong Hon, apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, also said he appreciated the need for a national security legislation but hoped governments in the city and in mainland China could do more to ease people’s concerns.
Tong hoped the operations of the church and the religious freedoms Hong Kong enjoys would remain intact after the implementation of the law, which targets secession, subversion of state power, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign or external forces.
The cardinal’s comments were reported in the latest issue of the church’s Chinese-language weekly, Kung Kao Po, posted on its website on Wednesday. The remarks are the clearest official stance offered so far by the church over the controversial legislation.
“The Catholic Church in Hong Kong has always maintained a subordinate relationship with the Vatican. Our links with the Vatican should be viewed as internal affairs. After the implementation of the national security law, it should not be viewed as collusion with foreign forces,” Tong was quoted as saying in the Kung Kau Po report.
“China and the Holy See have built up a friendly connection. What the church treasures are the spiritual and pastoral work.”
Vatican officials tell Taiwan ‘not to over-interpret’ deal with mainland on bishop appointments
Beijing broke diplomatic ties with the Vatican in 1951 and the Holy See recognises Taiwan, which the central government views as a breakaway province.
In recent years, signs emerged that Beijing’s relations with the Vatican have turned warmer. Under a deal signed in 2018, both sides now have a say in the appointment of bishops.
The national security law Beijing is drafting for Hong Kong has stirred concerns it will erode rights and freedoms guaranteed by the city’s mini-constitution – the Basic Law.
In the Kung Kao Po interview, Tong said: “Personally, I believe the national security legislation would not have any impact on religious freedoms. It is because Article 32 of the Basic Law says that we shall have freedom of religious belief and freedom to preach, conduct and take part in religious activities.
“The church’s participation in social affairs should not be affected either, because Article 141 of the Basic Law states that the government shall not interfere in the internal affairs of religious organisations. It also says that religious organisations can continue to provide social services,” he said.
The full draft of the law has yet to be published.
Mainland officials are in Hong Kong exchanging views with representatives from a broad swathe of Hong Kong society – minus opposition figures and critics. China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, is expected to meet for three days beginning on Sunday, but it is not known whether the draft law will be on the agenda.
