Church Also Asks Pastors To Be Obeyed: Cardinal

The head of Hong Kong's Catholic Church, Cardinal John Tong, has admonished those creating divisions among the faithful and said those who challenge the pastors citing Vatican pronouncements also have remember the Holy See also says they have to "obey and duly respect their pastors".

The comments were made in a letter sent to members of the diocese on Monday, and published on Thursday, where Tong addressed concerns that last year's mass social unrest and recent events linked to that.

This comes after reports had said a group of Church followers were blocked last month from organising an ad campaign after Beijing enacted the national security law in Hong Kong.

Tong chided some church-goers, saying they cite Vatican principles expounded at its second council selectively, to pitch their arguments.

"Today there are Catholics who claim they have the “right” to openly challenge their pastors and the Church. In fact, these Catholics have a misconception of their “right” as lay people."

"Moreover, pastors should encourage the lay people to take an active part in the Church and in society."

"On the other hand, the same [Vatican] Council equally emphasizes that lay people are to obey and duly respect their pastors who, by reason of their sacred offices, represent the person of Christ," it said.

Tong went on to say that Catholics who "arrogantly challenge or criticise" or "slander" the Church are setting a bad example and creating a split in the Church.

Tong said last years's social unrest had brought about some serious consequences such as "hatred" between those who do not share the same political views, with some supporting or opposing the protests, and that these negative attitudes have also found their way into church circles.

He said that while the Catholic church supports "democracy" as a system of governance, it stressed that building such progress can only be achieved by "committed and responsible citizens".

Such progress is "an ongoing progress which demands that people work slowly but surely, without being obsessed with immediate results", he wrote.

He said that while everyone has different views on socio-political reforms and the well-being of society, people need to realise that treating each other as enemies to be hated is not consistent with Christianity.

Hatred and violence as a means for fighting for justice is not the answer, and that forgiveness and reconciliation must prevail where there are conflicts, wrote Tong.