Continuing Prayers for Hong Kong

Hong Kong protest a year ago

Last year there massive protests in Hong Kong over new laws which would essentially nullify the agreement between Britain and China when the territory changed hands. This legislation would create restrictions for citizens of Hong Kong and stifle criticism of the totalitarian regime. The protests were large and peaceful at the outset, and the Christian churches were actively involved in supporting the protestors. Eventually there were violent confrontations between Chinese troops brought in to quell the protests and the more militant protestors. An easy calm ensued.

Recently the totalitarian Chinese government (to say it is communist just isn't accurate) passed laws which were even more severe, leading to the departure from Hong Kong of a number of activists. Despite international condemnation, the legislation will go into effect in September. The US government, Canada, and other nations have ended agreements which were preferential to Hong Kong, which has annoyed Chinese leaders -- what did they expect? Britain has stated that they would welcome large numbers of Hong Kong citizens as residents because China has abrogated the agreement of 1997.

What about the voices of Christians in Hong Kong in response to what has transpired? Not every Christian group adopts the same stance, and the Anglican church has maintained close ties with the Chinese government in order to continue social justice work. But an article in Christianity Today offers this:

In one of many responses by Hong Kongers, hundreds of theologians, pastors, and church leaders signed a statement accusing the draft decision of “further depriving Hong Kong of freedom and human rights.” The Christian leaders accused the Chinese government of destroying its promises and undercutting the city as an international financial center.

 

At a time where, quote, “darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, we fearlessly and solemnly declare the following confession and promise to our society, including our full embrace of the Gospel of the Kingdom, our sincere repentance towards the Church’s shortcomings, our absolute refusal to authoritarian government, and our determination to walk together with Hong Kong society.” the statement said.

 

As Hong Kong heads to the fall, the church could use prayers “for guidance and clarity for church leaders and Christians in Hong Kong and how we're going to walk this path. Because I honestly have no idea what's going to happen next,” said Ann Gillian Chu, who is completing her doctor of divinity at the University of St. Andrews in the Center for the Study of Religion and Politics and who has written widely on the theology of Hong Kong’s protest movements.

 

As much as we have domestic concerns in the midst of a pandemic, we must pray for the citizens of Hong Kong, for those who are still active in resistance to oppression and for the challenging situation Christians and churches find themselves in.

 

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