Page 32 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

As for the small minority of Christians who are system in 1997. As skill in political affairs can
willing to find a way out for the Church, they only be learnt by practical experience, the
seem not to have transcended the plane of people of Hong Kong will not have enough time
human endeavour, seldom earnestly praying to prepare themselves for the highly
for God's guidance. This is a very important autonomous government promised in the Joint
point indeed. In this hour of urgency, the Declaration unless direct elections are intro­
Church in Hong Kong must express its stead­ duced in 1988. As for those who are opposed
fast faith in God, and glorify Him for His love to the introduction of direct elections in 1988,
for Hong Kong and its people by bravely they basically fear that the reform of the political
preaching and teaching His word, pastoring the structure will not converge with the Basic Law.
people, and participating in social action. Since the Basic Law will not be finalized until
1989 and then published in 1990, any political
reform should only begin after 1990.
2. Evolution of the Political System How does the Church react to all this? Like
most members of the public, the majority of
At present, the people of Hong Kong are
Christians in Hong Kong are part of the so-
facing the most important stage of the evalua­ called "silent majority". They take no interest
tion of our political system. Over the last twelve in the review and development of the political
months, hardly a day went by without the mass system, or they will accept passively whatever
media giving significant coverage to the
is decided. Fortunately, more and more clergy
development of our political system. The and laypeople, owing to their- own political
people, too, have increasingly felt the impor­
analysis of the situation and the compelling
tance of reforming the political structure. On force of their faith, not only make clear their
27th May 1987, the Hong Kong Government standpoint, but also encourage other Christians
published the 1987 Green Paper on the Further
to be concerned and involved.
Development of Representative Government
for public consultation. This is a very compli­ In a meeting held on 22nd June 1987, the
cated document, not easily understood by the Council's Executive Committee passed a
general public. Of all the intricate issues, the resolution to send a letter to all member
most controversial one is, of course, direct churches and organizations encouraging them
elections to the Legislative Council. to discuss the Green Paper and reflect their
views to the Survey Office, to pray for the future
After much debate, it appears that fewer and and the development of Hong Kong, and to
fewer people are opposed to the introduction contribute articles on problems relating to the
of direct elections. The remaining controversy political system to Message, our monthly
centres on when to introduce direct elections Chinese-language bulletin.
to the Legislative Council. There are two
principal choices: 1988 or 1991. Those who are Religious Freedom also became a topic that
in favour of having direct elections in 1988 people both within and without the Church were
argue that since the reform of our political most concerned about during the past year.
system began in 1982 when District Boards The bone of contention lay not so much in
were introduced, and the direction for its whether Christians would enjoy freedom of
gradual development was laid down by the belief after 1997, as in the form and parameters
White Paper in 1984, there can be no reason of the expression of their faith. Traditionally, the
to stop the process now . Besides, according Church in Hong Kong has not only been
to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, Hong Kong concerned about the saving of individual souls,
will operate under a highly autonomous political but also it has worked hard to provide to the

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