The government accused the bishops of using "distorted words" that verge on "contempt of court".

The Archbishop of New York, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop Anthony Fisher of Sydney, Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark and Bishop Alan McGuckian of Raphoe were among the signatories of the appeal launched on 1 November.

They said that Lai's support for democracy through public interventions and his since-closed newspaper, Apple Daily, was no cause for imprisonment.

Lai was arrested in 2020 under a draconian national security law and has been in prison for more than 1,000 days, with prosecutors now threatening a life sentence.

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According to Catholic News Agency, the 90-year-old cardinal, who was arrested with four other pro-democracy advocates, was a trustee of a relief fund used to bail out protesters and pay legal fees.

The five arrestees are charged with not registering the charity with the government. All five have submitted pleas of not guilty.

Zen is set to stand trial on Sept. 19. He has stated he plans to celebrate a Catholic Mass on May 24 in honour of Our Lady, Help of Christians.

The cardinal was arrested last week alongside a group of other freedom activists in the Chinese island city. Zen has repeatedly warned the Vatican of increasing government persecution of religious minorities and anti-communist public figures but has historically received next to no response.

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At the same time, Hong Kong's new bishop has underlined the importance of protecting human dignity.

Speaking anonymously during an online discussion, the cleric said the freedom of religious schools is particularly under threat.

The cleric, identified only as Reverend L, told the Hudson Institute's Nina Shea on February 10 that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) appears to be using ideological tactics, such as education, to chip away at the freedom of religion in Hong Kong.

"In terms of restricting the rights of religious freedom, the CCP is doing it step-by-step," Reverend L said. He noted that China has imposed severe restrictions on the rights of assembly, the press and speech in Hong Kong in recent years.

"Freedom of religion is the only remaining freedom in Hong Kong at this moment," he said.

In contrast to mainland China, where religious believers of all stripes are routinely restricted, citizens of Hong Kong have historically enjoyed freedom of religion.

However, religious freedom has been particularly eroded in Hong Kong since 2019, due to the CCP's efforts to control the populace through an "ideological war", Reverend L commented.

In his first interview since he was ordained to lead the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-yan underlined the importance of protecting human dignity.

"I find it unacceptable for human dignity to be ignored, trampled upon, or eliminated entirely. God gave us this dignity when he created us in his image and likeness. And therefore it is universal because it comes from the love of God," Chow said, according to the Italian magazine Mondo e Missione (World and Mission).

The 62-year-old was consecrated as a bishop in Hong Kong's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on December 4.

"I do not live by public opinion. Otherwise, I would not be free to discern God's will and have inner freedom. Mine is a balancing act, and I find this stimulating," Chow said.

He explained that he does not see himself as a diplomat because he is a bishop, and that is a distinct role.

"I am not a diplomat; a bishop is not that. Sure, sometimes we have to be diplomatic, but my main concern is discerning God's will," he said.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

Catholic News Agency