HONG KONG (UCAN) -- An Anglican and two Catholic bishops from Hong Kong and Macau have accepted invitations from the Chinese government to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Summer Olympic Games on Aug. 8.

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong told UCA News on June 2 that Coadjutor Bishop John Tong Hon was invited from the diocese, but not the cardinal.

The June 15 issue of the diocesan English weekly, Sunday Examiner, quoted Bishop Tong as confirming his invitation. The prelate added that Cardinal Zen had given his blessing for the two-day trip after consulting the Holy See.

It quoted the bishop as saying he wants "to witness the success of the Olympics, as wished for by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, earlier this year."

This would be Bishop Tong's first visit to Beijing after being appointed coadjutor bishop in January, with the right to succeed the 76-year-old cardinal on his retirement.

On June 4, Bishop Jose Lai Hung-seng of Macau confirmed with UCA News that he too had received an invitation to the opening ceremony. He said he would represent the Catholic Church in Macau and join a Macau government delegation to the games together with other religious leaders.

Anthony Lam Sui-ki, senior researcher of Hong Kong diocese's Holy Spirit Study Centre, refused to speculate on the Chinese government's motive for inviting Bishop Tong, saying it was the decision of the Beijing Olympics organizer.

Lam, a layperson, told UCA News on June 12 that he believed Bishop Tong's visit would have no impact on China-Vatican relations, and the prelate might not have time to visit the Beijing diocese during his two-day trip.

According to a June 12 report in the pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po daily in Hong Kong, an unnamed "authoritative person" said the invitation of Bishop Tong rather than Cardinal Zen to the Olympics was a "result of collective consideration" and had no political overtones, contrary to what others might think. The report did not elaborate on the meaning of "collective consideration."

The unnamed source also reportedly called the invitation a gesture of courtesy, saying the Olympic organizer had also invited six other religious representatives from Hong Kong.

One of them, Archbishop Paul Kwong, primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (Anglican Church), will attend the opening ceremony, his secretary confirmed to UCA News on June 12.

A spokesperson for the Liaison Office of the central government in Hong Kong, which forwarded the invitations, explained to UCA News that leaders of the six major religious communities in Hong Kong were invited to the ceremony.

The other four leaders are from the Buddhist, Confucian, Chinese Muslim and Daoist communities.

The spokesperson said these invitees have to cover their own travel, accommodation and other costs. He added he has not received the finalized guest list, since the invitees can reply directly to the Olympics organizer.

Tong Yun-kai, president of the Confucian Academy in Hong Kong, told UCA News he has not decided whether he would attend, since he is concerned about security at the ceremony. "I worry about possible terrorist activities," he said, such as from the secessionist East Turkistan movement in Xinjiang, northwestern China.

He noted that he could also attend the event in his capacity as vice president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong.

An officer of the Chinese Muslim Cultural and Fraternal Association here told UCA News its chairman, Ayyub Tuet Che-yin, had received an invitation and "will definitely attend, as it's an honor."

The attendance of Sik Kok-kwong, 89, president of the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, who will be accompanied by Sik Chi-wai, abbot of the Po Lin Monastery, and Tong Wai-ki, chairperson of the Hong Kong Taoist Association, also has been confirmed.

Pope Benedict XVI publicly mentioned the Beijing Olympics for the first time on May 7 after he watched a performance of the China Philharmonic Orchestra and Shanghai Opera House Chorus at the Vatican.

He extended greetings "to all the people of China as they prepare for the Olympic Games, an event of great importance for the entire human family." He added, in Chinese, "I thank you all and I offer you my best wishes."

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