CV NEWS FEED // The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, a Catholic missionary organization that brought the Gospel to Hong Kong, will hold a “day of concern” in response to the national security law approved by the once-autonomous Chinese city.
The organization headquartered in Italy and known by its Italian acronym PIME, has warned that the new national security law which came into force on March 23 “aims to erase even the last spaces of freedom.”
“There are 1,700 people in prison condemned for their political ideas. Many others fear for themselves and their children, loved ones and friends. Many share the Catholic faith, which the PIME missionaries have introduced since 1858,” a statement issued by PIME’s News Agency in Italian reads.
>> Report: Religious Freedom ‘Collapsing’ in Hong Kong as Communist Party Tightens Control <<
The “moment of prayer and concern” will take place at the Church of St. Francis Xavier in Milan (Northern Italy) on April 10. The event will start with a prayer requesting that “Hong Kong may find its way back to peace, freedom and justice,” led by Father Luigi Bonalumi, PIME, who used to be a missionary in Hong Kong.
The moment of prayer will be followed by the speeches of two experts on Hong Kong, Sister Lorena Brambilla, MDL, and Father Gianni Criveller, PIME. Testimonies of faith and freedom from incarcerated Hong Kong Catholics will follow.
>> Expert: New Anti-Freedom Hong Kong Law Threatens Seal of Sacramental Confession <<
The Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions is a society of secular priests and lay people who dedicate their lives to missionary work among non-Christians on five continents. PIME was founded on December 1, 1850.
