Page 38 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

B. To Criticize the D ecline of Morality Others:

The Six Religious Leaders of Hong Kong, which A. E cum enical Fellow ship
includes the Councirs Chairperson Rev. Dr. Li Ping- 1. In response to the appeal made by the Communion
kwong, presented a New Year Message for the year of Churches in Indonesia, the Council expressed our
2001 which addressed a concern for the decline of concern about the religious conflict by sending rep-
morality within the society. It especially urged the resentatives to visit the Indonesian Consulate Gen-
media to contribute to the hope of building Hong Kong eral in August 2000 with a representative of the Jus-
into a peaceful, harmonious and vibrant community tice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church
by avoiding unhealthy exaggeration in reporting in or- also attending.
der to minimize the destructive impact.
2. Invited by the Churches Together in Britain and
Ireland, the Council formed a delegation to pay a
C. A nti-S occer G am bling
visit during September 18-26, 2000. For the pur-
During the holding of the 21st Century Mission
pose of enabling an ecumenical spirit, the delega-
Consultation in November 1999, the Council gener-
tion was formed not only by the CounciFs Execu-
ated a declaration among churches, schools and social
tive Members and representatives from member
service agencies to protest against a rehearsal for a
denominations, but also with one representative from
Jockey Club millennium party which allowed children
the Catholic Church.
into the Happy Valley race-course, and the consider-
3. From October 16-20, 2000, the General Secretary
ation of the legalization of soccer gambling. After more
was invited to attend the meeting in Geneva orga-
than one year, the Government determined to consult
nized by the Asia Desk of the World Council of
public opinion about the legalization of soccer
Churches for a Consultation of the General Secre-
gambling. For the purpose of creating a positive moral
taries of Asia and the heads of ecumenical agencies
atmosphere for youngsters and to maintain an ethical
and mission boards.
framework within the community, the Council deter-
mined to make their best effort to participate in the 4. Invited by the State Religious Affairs Bureau of
anti-soccer gambling movement. The Council also China, the Council formed a seven-person delega-
joined with 47 parties from different sectors in the com- tion to visit Beijing, Shenyang and Dailin during
munity to form a wider alliance in opposing the legal- April 4-10, 2001. It was the first time the Council
ization of soccer betting in which representatives from paid a visit to Shenyang and Dailin, and made con-
education, social service, and religious sectors were tact with churches in Liaoning Province.
involved. Within the religious sector, the Council to-
5. The 1st Vice-Chairperson Rt. Rev. Thomas Soo and
gether with the other religious leaders of the Collo-
the General Secretary represented the Council to
quium of the Six Religious Leaders publicly presented
participate in the ceremonies and activities at the
our stand in regai d to this issue. In addition, the Council
Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia, Antelias-
also joined the Christian Coalition to Oppose Legal-
Lebanon, May 25-28, 2001, to celebrate the 1700th
ization of Soccer Betting, which was formed by Prot-
Anniversary of the Proclamation of Christianity in
estant churches and organizations.
Armenia.