HONG KONG (UCAN) -- Seven Christian organizations that work for the rights of marginalized people have urged Church members to join a prayer rally and march on July 1, the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's reversion to China.

For the prayer rally's theme, the organizations including Hong Kong Catholic diocese's Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) and Commission for Labor Affairs chose to highlight work for justice by traveling the road of democracy with God and neighbor.

At a June 21 press conference, representatives of these groups said Reverend Ralph Lee Ting-sun, general secretary of the Hong Kong Christian Council, and Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong will address the rally. The event, to be held at Victoria Park, aims to pray especially for disadvantaged sectors of society. Hymns and Scripture readings also are planned.

The rally is scheduled ahead of the July 1 march. The annual march has become an alternative to government celebrations of the handover since 1997, most notably in 2003, when 500,000 people took to the streets to express unhappiness with government policies.

The main demands of the march this year, led by Civil Human Rights Front, will be for universal suffrage of all legislators and Hong Kong's chief executive in the 2008 and 2012 elections, respectively, and more and better opportunities for people to make a living. The front, comprising politicians, trade unions, human rights groups, and Church, women's, students' and grassroots organizations, expects 50,000 participants to join the July 1 march.

Teresa Yip Lai-shan, JPC project officer, told UCA News the seven Christian bodies have come together because of their common concerns and goals.

These include promotion of human dignity and service to disadvantaged social minorities such as immigrants from the mainland and South Asian countries, women, workers and youths. Some of the Church groups are also concerned about democracy and discriminatory practices in Hong Kong.

Rose Wu, director of Hong Kong Christian Institute, another co-organizer, told UCA News that religion, the fight for justice and respect for the right to life has also brought the organizations together to hold this rally.

On human rights issues, Yip said Church groups have expressed their opinions openly, in line with their beliefs. However, they are often criticized for promoting "theocracy," she said, "This is a kind of restriction on religious freedom."

Wu also noted that the government's school-management policy has curtailed the educational autonomy that the Church has enjoyed.

According to a 2004 ordinance, every government-aided school, but not public or directly subsidized schools, must set up an Incorporated Management Committee as the responsible agent to the government for the school. This limits the religious role of the Church, Yip feels.

Wu, on the other hand, thinks the local government has not interfered with religious organizations since 1997 but seems to regard Christian groups "unfavorably." She said some Catholic and Protestant organizations have reacted to unjust government policies, while followers of other religions have remained quiet and maintained a "more harmonious" atmosphere.

The Christian Institute director said she feels the local government favors the rich and ignores the poor. "The government and the public do not welcome" the prophetic voice of the Churches "even in good economic times," she said. "But we have to remind them that only a caring society that has equality can achieve true harmony."

Yip noted that since 1997, Christian groups have played an important role in society by daring to challenge authoritarianism.

Wu agreed that "our faith teaches us to be concerned for the marginalized and oppressed in society." She hopes the local government will be open to criticism and improve.

The four other co-organizers of the July 1 event are the Protestant-run Christians for Hong Kong Society, Hong Kong Women Christian Council, the Student Christian Movement of Hong Kong, and Sham Oi Church, which is part of the Church of Christ in China.

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(Accompanying photos available at here)