Hong Kong Diocese Turns 80: A Jubilee of Faith, History & Unity

The Diocese of Hong Kong celebrated its 80th anniversary on Saturday, April 11, at a packed Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Caine Road, marking its elevation from an apostolic vicariate on the same day in 1946.

The day’s events began with a performance of the specially composed theme song for the anniversary in Cantonese, Putonghua and English. This was followed by a tribute led by Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., bishop of Hong Kong, to Father Theodore Joset, the first apostolic prefect of Hong Kong, at his tomb behind the altar and sanctuary at the back of the cathedral, as well as to the late bishops of Hong Kong at the Mission Chapel.

Mass began at 10:00am, celebrated by Cardinal Stephen and concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing, bishops emeriti John Cardinal Tong Hon and Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun, together with 130 priests and 30 deacons of the diocese, and attended by around 900 faithful.