Hotline Asia -- Social Concern Notes

Parish Social Concern Groups - Church's Social Teachings
~ Public Opinion : Strategy : Letters ~
Lesson 22

Question || Church Teaching || Acting Justice || Facilitators' Notes
 

Introduction

"Last December, he [Bishop Joseph Zen] wrote to the heads of all Catholic schools in Hong Kong asking them to admit mainland children seeking the right of abode, thereby flying in the face of a government directive expressly forbidding their education. On April 1 - Easter Monday - all those who lost the right-of-abode case will have to return to the mainland. [Bishop said] 'I am afraid the people of the parish are not on my side. They are like the majority of people in Hong Kong. That's the sad thing: too easily they let themselves be misled.'" (Fionnuala McHugh, "The Interview", Post Magazine, South China Morning Post, 24/03/02)
 
Question

What is your opinion?
 

Social Teachings of the Church

"Catholics and Church organizations[sic] should be encouraged to express opinions related to justice according to the Church's social teachings and employ appropriate strategies to affect public opinions and social policies." [Emphasis added] (# 84 HK Diocesan Synod, 2001, **one of 10 proposals chosen for 2nd round)
 

Acting Justice

Prepare A Letter On Above or Any Issue You Wish

To whom would you wish to address your letter?

________________________________________

What issue do you wish to address?

________________________________________

What is your position?

________________________________________

Objective of letter?

________________________________________

List five reasons why Christians write letters on issues.

  1. ________________________________________
  2. ________________________________________
  3. ________________________________________
  4. ________________________________________
  5. ________________________________________
 
Facilitators' Notes

The purpose of this lesson is to give confidence to Christians in putting pen to paper. The first letter to someone may be a little scary. But once the first letter is written, sent and responded to (?), letter writing can become a Christian addiction.

Taking a local Hong Kong issue as the Right of Abode*, we present an occasion for writing a letter.

QUESTION
The Christian is free to choose any position

Sample Responses:

  • I agree with government position.

  • I agree with Bishop Zen and have seen how the HK government manipulated the fears of the citizens.

  • I agree with Bishop Zen's position but feel his strategy was needlessly confrontational.

  • I am proud that our Catholic Church stands on the side of the poor.

  • I am angry with my fellow Catholics for not supporting Bishop Zen.

WHY DO CHRISTIANS WRITE LETTERS

Sample Answers:

  • Support leadership so that they don't lose heart.

  • Ask a question because you lack information.

  • Suggest an action on part of recipient.

  • To inform recipient that public opinion (at least yours) opposes his/her action.

  • To contact others who have expertise or experience addressing this issue.

  • To expose a possible injustice to a responsible person.

CHURCH TEACHING

In the conclusions of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocesan Synod, Catholics are reminded to SPEAK OUT on social issues.

ACTING JUSTICE

In this exercise each individual chooses his/her own topic. Here the facilitator might help each person to choose a simple issue.

Sample A:

Addressee: Principal of St. Philomena's Primary School
Issue: Noise pollution in Primary School
Your Opinion: I believe that the loud school bell is damaging children's hearing.
RESPONSE: The bell's sound is muffled.

Sample B:

Addressee: Hong Kong Justice and Peace Commission
Issue: Right of Abode
Your Opinion: I appreciate your fine leadership on this issue.
RESPONSE: Members of HKJPC will be encouraged to continue their fine work and know that we support them.

Next Meeting:
Ask members to prepare a letter to anyone about anything on some social issue. Members might wish to review their clippings gathered over the past year.

*[FOR NON-HONG-KONGERS]
WE HAVE TAKEN A LOCAL HK SITUATION. THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BROKE THE SPIRIT OF THE "ONE COUNTRY; TWO SYSTEMS" BY APPEALING AGAINST THE DECISION OF THE HONG KONG SUPREME COURT AND ASKING PEKING FOR A "REINTREPRTATION" OF THE BASIC LAW. IMMIGRANTS FROM CHINA TO HONG KONG THEREBY LOSS THEIR RIGHT TO BECOME LEGAL HONG KONG RESIDENTS. BY AND LARGE THE GENERAL PUBLIC AGREED WITH THE ALLEGED SCARE TACTICS OF THE HK GOVERNMENT. BISHOP ZEN, CO-ADJUOTOR BISHOP OF HONG KONG, SUPPORTED THESE IMMIGRANTS AND REQUESTED THAT CATHOLIC SCHOOLS ACCEPT THE CHILDREN AGAINST GOVERNMENT POLICY. FEW CATHOLIC SCHOOLS RESPONDED POSITIVELY. NOR DID ALL CHRISTIANS AGREE WITH THE BISHOP'S STANCE AND/OR STRATEGY.
 

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