Cardinal Zen's opposition to China deal gains online support Young Hong Kongers back the prelate's disapproval of the Vatican's dealings with the Chinese Communist Party
Young Catholics in Hong Kong are taking to Facebook to support Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, days after the city's sixth bishop blasted the Vatican for preparing to "surrender" to the Chinese Communist Party amid speculation of an agreement between the two sides on clerical appointments.
Legions of social media users in the semi-autonomous region are now changing their profile pictures to show their support for the retired cardinal.
The framed image was created by a Hong Kong designer with the Christian name Dominic. It features a yellow wave at the bottom with five Chinese characters superimposed on it. Facebook users can then add any other image on top of this, for example a photo of Cardinal Zen, a cartoon anime — or as is proving most popular, their own face.
"Seeing so many Catholics support 'grandpa' spontaneously, I decided to make this Facebook profile picture frame for them to use," the 38-year-old told ucanews.com, using an affectionate local moniker for the cardinal, who was named cardinal in 2006 and his term ended in 2009….
Another Hong Kong
local, a 36-year-old who gave her name as Giana, said she adopted the
cardinal's meme on her Facebook page because she admired his courage and
outspoken attitude.
"The Holy See
does not understand our Hong Kong Catholics and the situation of the church in
China. Now even the pope wants to compromise with the Chinese government,"
she said.
"Cardinal Zen is
the only one sticking to his convictions with a conscience and telling the
truth."
Another local
Catholic, 30-year-old Michael Law, said he uploaded the meme to "express
my love for him amid all the flak he has taken in recent days."
"We need the
voice of a prophet even more now. Cardinal Zen is more than a shepherd —
he is a living testimony to true religious freedom, and an example for young
people to [follow]," he said.
He said the Catholic
Church has built a strong reputation as a defender of human rights and personal
freedom, even organizing non-violent protests in the past to resist former
autocratic regimes in the likes of Poland, South Korea and the Philippines.
"I'm concerned
that this Sino-Vatican agreement will further weaken the moral prestige of
the church and narrow the rich mission of evangelization since the advent of
Vatican II," he said.
