austraLasia
1509
Pope Receives
Salesian China delegates
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ROME (UCAN) -- Pope Benedict XVI may visit Hong Kong
and China, depending on God's will, says the vicar general of Hong Kong, who
greeted the Holy Father a few days after the pope created new cardinals.
Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong was among the three Asian and 12 other
new cardinals who each presented about 10 people, mostly family members and
associates, to Pope Benedict on March 27 at Pope Paul VI Hall.
The present and two former heads of the Salesians' China
province greeted the pope in Italian, while others greeted him in English. The
current provincial, Father Savio Hon Tai-fai, told UCA News March 27 that the
Holy Father talked with him first, since the pope recognized him from a previous
meeting at an international theologians' gathering. Father Hon added that
he had been a student of Cardinal Zen. He told the pope that he represented
Chinese youth, and pointed out that this year marks the centenary of the arrival
of Salesian missioners in China.
Father Hon assured the
pope of their prayers. The pope said he needed their prayers very much, the
priest recalled. Cardinal Zen introduced Salesian Father John Baptist Zen
as his classmate from 1944, more than 60 years ago. Both are from
Shanghai. The former provincial told UCA News that he professed his
loyalty to the pope and told him, "Where there is Peter, there is Church." He
also cited St. Cyprian as saying that whoever does not recognize the Church as
mother cannot call God father. Father Zen, who formerly was based in Hong
Kong but now lives in Taiwan, also said he requested and received an extra
rosary from the pope's assistant and will give both to his siblings.
Salesian Father Ho Kwong-ling, the other former
provincial, said his conversation with the pope was personal and he did not want
to reveal its content. He is based in Hong Kong.
Cardinal
Zen introduced his two sisters, younger brother and relatives to the pope.
The cardinal told the press that Pope Benedict did not mention to him anything
about a visit to Hong Kong or China.
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