Way of the Cross supports Hong Kong democracy activists

Christians pray for nine defendants who face jail for 2014 Occupy Central protests.

A Way of the Cross march is held on March 30 for nine defendants who face jail in Hong Kong for their Occupy Central civil disobedience protest in 2014. (ucanews.com photo)

Hong Kong:  Hundreds of Christians in Hong Kong prayed on a Way of the Cross march for nine activists who are facing jail for calling for democracy.

The Justice and Peace Commission of Hong Kong Diocese (HKJP) held the event on March 30 to support the defendants.

In 2014, protesters used umbrellas to protect themselves from tear gas fired at crowds by police in the Chinese territory. The world's media dubbed the protest the Umbrella Movement, a term now often used interchangeably with Occupy Central, a civil disobedience movement for democracy and universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

The movement’s three co-founders — Benny Tai Yiu-ting, Chan Kin-man and Christian pastor Chu Yiu-ming — and six other participants were accused at a trial in December of charges including conspiracy to cause public nuisance and inciting others to cause public nuisance.

Each charge carries a maximum jail term of seven years and sentences will be passed on April 9.

HKJP officer Jackie Hung told ucanews.com that the Way of the Cross event was a call for the public to support the nine and their families. “They have sacrificed for Hong Kong democracy and suffered a lot from the trial,” she said.

Even though the court may convict them, she hopes the public will not forget the democratic intentions of the movement.

Retired Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, 87, and Rev. Chu, 75, were the main celebrants of the event, which was jointly organized by nine Catholic and Christian communities.

The two senior pastors led around 400 faithful to pray for democracy and freedom during the three-kilometer journey of the Way of the Cross.

Cardinal Zen and other Christian pastors blessed the defendants, while the faithful gave a round of applause to encourage them at the end of the event.

In his homily, Cardinal Zen said Hong Kong society is full of sufferings and injustices which are not the will of God but of the government.

Although the nine defendants have prepared for the worst, the cardinal encouraged them not to be afraid and said he would visit them in prison if they are jailed.

Clement Wong, a young Catholic, said the political situation in Hong Kong is under pressure and public participation is constantly being narrowed.

“To organize a public Way of the Cross becomes more and more difficult. I hope this event can bring the message to the public and draw their attention to the issue,” Wong, 30, said.

Source: UCAN