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Hong Kong Catholics mourn their leader Michael Yeung Ming-cheung who died at age 73
- Earlier media statement said he suffered liver failure due to cirrhosis, and news of his imminent death circulated on social media on Wednesday night
- Yeung, who succeeded Cardinal John Tong Hon as the head of the city’s Catholic diocese, was named to his post by Pope Francis in August 2017
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Hong Kong’s 400,000-strong Catholic community is mourning the loss of its leader, Reverend Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, who died on Thursday at the age of 73.
The city’s Catholic diocese released a statement confirming that Yeung died in hospital from liver failure at 1.30pm. It added that his funeral would be held on January 11.
Followers praised Yeung for his willingness to engage with young people and his dedication to the church.
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There was, however, uncertainty on who would become the next leader of the city’s 394,000 Catholics, as commentators said senior clerics Joseph Ha Chi-shing, Peter Choy Wai-man and Stephen Lee Bun-sang were all possible choices for Pope Francis.
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Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and Hong Kong’s health, education, welfare and home affairs secretaries also issued separate statements on Thursday to pay tribute to the bishop.
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