One of the Catholic Church’s most senior members was arrested in Hong Kong for allegedly breaking China’s national security law, sending shockwaves across Hong Kong, especially the Catholic community. Zen’s supporters are fearful that a crackdown against churches in mainland China may be spreading to Hong Kong.
Police from the national security department arrested 90-year-old Zen and four others for “collusion with foreign forces.” All of those who were arrested were trustees of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, which had provided legal and financial assistance to more than 2,200 people prosecuted for the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The fund has since closed following an announcement by the police that it was under investigation.
After his arrest, Zen was released on bail, and he reportedly has a court date set for May 24. It remains possible that he will be further detained should charges be laid out.
Typically the arrest of a massive public figure such as Zen would have sparked fierce debate in Hong Kong. But the local church community has been mostly silent so far. The Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office released a short statement that said it was extremely concerned with the safety of Zen, and that they have always upheld the law and trust that the future will also be able to enjoy religious freedom under Basic Law in Hong Kong.
There were an estimated 1.2 million Christians in Hong Kong as of 2020. One third of them are Catholic. Hong Kong churches are largely independent from the government, although in recent years leaders of the Catholic and Anglican churches aligned themselves with Chinese government on political matters.
Local authorities deny that Zen’s arrest has anything to do with religious freedom. But people in Hong Kong are not convinced. Many are worried now a crackdown on churches is coming.
Be the first to comment