Coadjutor appointed for Hong Kong, confronted by protests

November 14, 2016

Pope Francis has named Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung, 69, as the coadjutor bishop of Hong Kong.

The newly appointed prelate was immediately met with protests. As he attended a graduation ceremony, he was surrounded by young people who voiced their objections to the Church’s teaching against homosexual acts, and to his stand that independence from mainland China is now “absolutely impossible and unfeasible.” The bishop-designate applauded the young people for being “passionate and fearless,” although he said that he could not agree with them.

The prelate, who holds degrees from Syracuse and Harvard universities, was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Hong Kong in 1978 and appointed auxiliary bishop of Hong Kong in 2014.

Bishop Yeung Ming-cheung will succeed Cardinal John Tong Hon, 77, when the Pope accepts the latter’s resignation, which was submitted over two years ago.

The appointment comes amid multiple reports suggesting that an accord between Rome and Beijing is imminent over the appointment of bishops in China. Cardinal Tong’s predecessor, the 84-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, has issued a dramatic warning against the proposed agreement.

Upon the November 13 announcement of his appointment, Bishop Ming-cheung praised both cardinals, comparing them, according to an AsiaNews report, to two trees under which he can enjoy shade.

 

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Further information:

• Rinunce e nomine, 13.11.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Cardinal Zen pleads against Vatican ‘surrender’ to Beijing control (CWN, 11/4)
• Msgr. Michael Yeung Ming-cheung to suceed Card. John Tong (AsiaNews.it)
• Protesters besiege coadjutor bishop of the Catholic diocese of Hong Kong over gay rights stance (South China Morning Post)