Chui Sai On met with the new bishop, Stephen Lee (left), and with the 70-year-old José Lai (right), who has decided to step down for health reasons and also due to his reaching the age of retirement
Stephen Lee may have dispelled rumors that he would bring a healthy dose of Hong Kong-style political activism to his new role as the Bishop of Macau on Saturday at a ceremony marking his installation in the post.
Upon assuming office of his new role, Bishop Lee reminded the congregation of the importance of “unity with God, unity with the Pope, unity with the city of Macau and unity with China.”
“And above all, live with unity within the Diocese of Macau,” he added.
In a ceremony marking the resignation of former Macau-born bishop, José Lai, and coinciding with the 440th anniversary of the Diocese of Macau, Stephen Lee stressed the importance of unity and pledged to strengthen Pope Francis’ message of overcoming indifference.
“I’m expecting the Catholics to be united, to live [charitably …] with all others [and] to overcome the indifference, as Pope Francis reminded us at the beginning of the year,” he told TDM reporters outside the Cathedral.
“[We must] overcome indifference and produce peace,” he added, “peace is so important for each one of us.”
Meanwhile, former bishop José Lai, who is stepping down due to health reasons, told a congregation of hundreds of Catholics that he was grateful for having served in the post.
“We also want to thank Pope Francis for accepting my resignation and also [for] the nomination [of] our Stephen Lee, bishop from Hong Kong, to come to Macau to help our Diocese,” Lai said. “Thank you God and thank you very much.”
José Lai will now become the city’s Bishop Emeritus; a prestigious title reserved for those who retire from the service of the Diocese.
The Chief Executive, Chui Sai On, met on Friday at the government’s headquarters with the new Bishop of the Macau Diocese to welcome him ahead of his inauguration.
Also present at the meeting was José Lai, who Chui thanked for his work and contributions to the MSAR.
The CE took the opportunity to reiterate that the government will continue to respect the freedom of religious beliefs consecrated in the Basic Law, as well as promising to maintain close ties with the Diocese in order to continue serving local people.
According to Chui, the Macau Diocese is a historical institution that has greatly contributed to the progress of the territory in areas such as social welfare and education, as well as at a humanitarian level. Staff reporter
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