Cardinal Zen leads tense memorial for Tiananmen victims in Hong Kong (AsiaNews)

Cardinal Joseph Zen celebrated a memorial Mass for victims of the Tiananmen Square massacre on June 4, the 22nd anniversary of the killings, in Hong Kong’s Victoria Park. The cardinal said that “our prayer is also for the Lord to lead rules to walk on the path fo justice and peace.”

Police made no effort to disrupt the evening service, although it was held in defiance of a government order, which had banned public gatherings. Hong Kong authorities claimed that the ban was prompted by fears of Covid contagion. Earlier police had arrested Chow Hang-tung, a pro-democracy activist, for organizing a political vigil on the eve of the anniversary.

Five other Catholic priests—including Bishop Joseph Ha, a Hong Kong auxiliary, also celebrated memorial Masses at other locations.