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Top Christian leader signals softening toward Beijing

Work for peace, reconciliation, minister tells Hong Kong churches
Top Christian leader signals softening toward Beijing
Published: February 02, 2016 04:14 AM GMT
Updated: February 02, 2016 04:18 AM GMT

Churches in Hong Kong should not simply criticize the Beijing government, but work toward reconciliation and peace, the chairman of the city's Christian Council has said.

In an interview with the South China Morning Post, the Rev. Eric So Shing-yit said: "In the past, I've heard relatively more often that churches should be like a prophet ... speaking up on social issues, criticizing unfair systems, autocracies and suppression. But is that all we should do?"

Churches should serve their communities, and be like a priest "who prays and brings reconciliation" for people, and draws them closer to God, he added.

Christians were at the forefront of huge democracy protests in Hong Kong in 2014. Among the key figures of the 'Occupy Central' movement was retired Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong, reported Christian Today.

In total, around 100,000 people flooded the streets of Hong Kong in protest against the Chinese government's insistence on screening political candidates to ensure their allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party. The demonstrations lasted 79 days.

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