Cardinal Zen found guilty in Hong Kong trial (CNA)
Cardinal Joseph Zen, the retired Bishop of Hong Kong, was found guilty on November 25 on charges of failing to register a charitable fund that provided legal help for defendants accused of violating China’s draconian new “security” law.
The cardinal and five co-defendants will be required to pay a fine equivalent to $500.
After his conviction, Cardinal Zen said that the case should not be seen as a violation of religious freedom. But the 90-year-old cardinal, an outspoken supporter of democracy, hinted that the conviction was a violation of other human rights. He identified himself as “a Hong Kong citizen who strongly supports providing humanitarian assistance.”
The Vatican has avoided comment on Cardinal Zen’s case.