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Vandals hit historical Catholic cemetery

Updated: February 19, 2010 09:47 AM GMT
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St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery
St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery
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HONG KONG (UCAN) -- About 60 graves in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley were found vandalized this morning [Feb. 19]. Caretakers of the oldest Church cemetery in the territory reported the case to the police around 9.30am after security guards discovered several damaged tombstones and stone vases on the graves. Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming, chairman of the Diocesan Board of Catholic Cemeteries, told UCA News that the caretakers had reported seeing a woman rush from the cemetery when they came to work around 7.00am. Though the surveillance cameras did not make out her face, fingerprints had been found at the scene, he said. “Unless the vandal is insane, it is a painful act to the deceased and their families,” said Father Chan, vicar general of the diocese. Media reports say that the grave of a former government Secretary for Home Affairs was among those damaged. The police are now investigating as to motive. There are five Catholic cemeteries in Hong Kong. The land where the St. Michael’s cemetery stands was leased to the Church in 1848. It is the last resting place for the remains of more than 20,000 Catholics, including Cardinal John Baptist Wu Cheng-chung of Hong Kong. Daris Yu Cheuk-man, superintendent of Catholic cemeteries, told UCA News it was the most serious damage ever on Church cemeteries. “I really want to know the motive ... to damage such a peaceful place,” he said. He stressed that if anyone is dissatisfied with the Church or the cemetery, he or she could speak out. What has been done not only affected the cemetery but also the families of the deceased, he added. Yu says the diocese has employed security guards in each cemetery. The guards patrol each evening to make sure nobody stays behind, he said. However, Yu is certain the cemetery board would meet to discuss whether or not to beef up security. HK08893.1589 February 19, 2010 30 EM-lines (312 words) Scholar Shares Views On Catholic Cemetery Tombstones And Sculptures Christian Tombstones Testament To China´S Religious Pluralism

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