HONG KONG (UCAN) -- The leaders of the six main religious communities in Hong Kong have urged greater emphasis on family values and more environmental awareness in their Lunar New Year message.

On Jan. 28, the Colloquium of Six Religious Leaders in Hong Kong released the message the leaders signed on Jan. 21.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong, a member of the Salesians of Don Bosco, was the Catholic signatory. The other five leaders in the colloquium represent Buddhists, Confucians, Daoists (Taoists), Chinese Muslims and Protestants.

In their message for the Year of the Rat, which starts Feb. 7 this year, they note that traditional family values are being undermined by material pleasure and lack of harmony between parents and children. The leaders also urge a strengthening of social morality and a greater awareness of the importance of environmental preservation.

Below is the message, provided to UCA News by the colloquium secretariat on Jan. 28. The message is also available in Chinese:

Spring breeze warms our heart, flowers bloom, heavenly blessings await the people of Hong Kong. We wish you all happiness and prosperity.

Traditionally, planning for the year starts at early spring. This is a good time for us to reflect on the past, and strive for the establishment of harmony, prosperity and stability for Hong Kong.

Our six religions are saddened by news of family violence, youngsters indulging in surfing the Internet, parents losing harmony with their children.

The traditional sense of morality is being threatened by the onslaught of material pleasure, giving rise to increase in divorce rate, decrease in birth rate, all making (for) social instability.

Behavioral waste of resources will lead to environmental degradation, climate change, eco-imbalance. Society must take this as a wake-up call.

Apart from government policy implementation to address the above issues, first of all, (we need) to improve the quality of the education and strengthen the social morality. The objective is a return to virtuous discipline and responsibility.

The six religions can unite in our continual striving for peace of mind, spiritual cultivation of calmness. When humanity is at peace with nature, we can mutually create paradise on earth.

Tong Wai-ki, Chairman, The Hong Kong Taoist Association

Venerable Kwok Kwong, President, The Hong Kong Buddhist Association

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, SDB, Bishop, The Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong

Tong Yun-kai, President, The Confucian Academy

Ayyub Tuet Che-yin, Chairman, The Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association

Right Reverend Doctor Thomas Soo, Chairperson, Hong Kong Christian Council

Jan. 21, 2008

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