ENGCHINA
Packed funeral farewells Hong Kong bishop
Chief Executive Carrie Lam and other high-ranking govt officials among those attending funeral Mass
ucanews.com reporter, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
January 11, 2019
The funeral Mass for late Hong Kong Bishop Yeung Ming-cheung at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. (ucanews.com photo)
Top officials were among those attending the funeral Mass for the late Hong Kong Bishop Yeung Ming-cheung at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on Jan .11.
Bishop Yeung, aged 73, died from liver failure on Jan. 3.
The Mass was celebrated by apostolic administrator Cardinal John Tong Hon. It was concelebrated by Monsignor Ante Jozic, representative of the Holy See in Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha chi-shing, Macau Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-sang and Taiwan Hualien Bishop Philip Huang Jaw-ming, who represented Taiwan Caritas.
Along with the bishop’s family and relatives at the Mass were Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor and other high-ranking government officials. Representatives from Protestant and Orthodox churches also attended.
Hong Kong’s richest man, Li Ka-shing, with his son and daughter-in-law offered a floral tribute.
The bishop’s niece gave a eulogy at both the funeral Mass and the vigil Mass. She said that the three Ls — love, loyal and least — were the best way to describe the late bishop. “He loves life, is loyal to his faith, and put himself at a minimum,” she said.
Hundreds of Catholics earlier paid their respects at a vigil Mass.
One of them was Rose, 83. “I am saddened for the loss of such a good shepherd as Bishop Yeung,” she said. “He was dedicated to the diocese and Hong Kong Caritas for a long time.”
At the vigil Mass, Father Dominic Chan Chi-ming recalled in the homily how the bishop woke up at 4 a.m. every day to read the Bible, meditate and pray.
“Bishop Yeung had a terminal illness but he never despaired and persisted to work despite how sick he was,” said Father Chan.
Bishop Yeung is now buried at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery in Happy Valley.
He died after serving his episcopacy for less than 18 months.
Cardinal Tong was appointed to administer the diocese until further notice and a new bishop of Hong Kong will be chosen according to canon law.
