Macau Catholic youth leaders have urged people to remember the tragic 1989 events in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square while some accuse the local Church of being “too silent” on the issue.

The incident, in which Chinese military opened fire on student-led democracy activists, has yet to be included in textbooks, teachers say.

“We must hand down the historical truth to the younger generation,” local teacher who gave only his surname, Chow, told ucanews.com

Students should take the initiative to research the entire issue, not just accept the words of their teachers, she added.

Chow was with a crowd of 300 at a candlelight vigil outside the Sao Domingos Church to commemorate Tiananmen victims.

Catholic legislator Antonio Ng Kwok-cheong shared his analysis of the issue with the crowd.

In another address, youth leader ’Luis’ castigated China “as a giant in economic development but a dwarf in morality.”

He quoted retired Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun who warned in May that “if we do nothing and forget (the incident), it will be a great shame for our nation.”

“We should not be fooled by false harmony,” Luis told the crowd.

“We should actively care about and participate in public affairs to demonstrate God’s love and justice,” he said.

In 1989, Macau Catholics held services commemorating the 1989 crackdown but no official diocesan ceremonies have been held since.

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