Only Chinese cardinal in the Conclave, defends Francis: "I don't think the Church is more polarized now"
Stephen Chow, the only Chinese cardinal in the Conclave, defends Francis: "I don't think the Church is more polarized now"
The bishop of Hong Kong defended Pope Francis' legacy and said the impact of his Pontificate was universal
Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, bishop of Hong Kong, is one of the 23 Asians in the college of electors and the only one from China who will lock themselves in the Sistine Chapel starting Wednesday to elect Pope Francis's successor.
A 65-year-old Jesuit, a psychologist with a degree in Philosophy and Theology, a master's degree in Human Development from Chicago, and a doctorate from Harvard, Chow defended Pope Francis' legacy in an interview with LA NACION in a hall of the General Curia of the Society of Jesus, just meters from the Vatican. He especially defended the process of synodality that has been launched, which aims for greater listening and participation of all baptized people in the Church.
Furthermore, he considered it unfair to say that the polarization of the Church increased during his papacy, as the Conservative wing often claims. He preferred not to mention China, a Communist giant with which the Vatican does not have diplomatic relations, but with whom, at the behest of the Argentine pope, a controversial secret provisional agreement was signed in September 2018 on the delicate issue of the appointment of bishops.
-What legacy do Francis's 12 years and 39 days of papacy leave behind?
-I think Francis's impact was universal, and not just in Hong Kong or China, where there is now a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops. Francis truly transformed the image of the Church as a whole. Before, many saw the Church as an institution with little connection to them, something distant and teaching… But Francis transformed it. And today it is much more human, much more connected, better connected with the different groups of people in the world, including non-Catholics, in a much better way than before, and with other religions. He always emphasized the importance of being an inclusive Church, as he said during World Youth Day in Lisbon, for “all, all, all.” That is important.
What words impressed you most?
The first thing that impressed me, and what impressed me most and which persisted throughout his papacy, was his emphasis on mercy, on God being a God of mercy. He celebrated the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy (2016), and that set the tone. And the second thing was his emphasis on the joy of the Gospel, which also set the tone for his papacy. And this is what attracted me most, because one is tempted to stay in one's comfort zone. And I think many people miss Francis precisely for that reason. He managed to touch people's lives, and whenever I speak to people, they tell me they are truly impressed by the Pope's compassion, by the Pope of the people.
You participated in the two synods on synodality (October 2023 and October 2024), but it seems there's a lot of division on this issue, Francis's big challenge...
Synodality has reached Asia a lot because I think our Asian culture places a lot of emphasis on family, community, harmony, and being together. We don't want uniformity. And synodality also reflects those values. And we truly embrace it. Synodality is the future of the Church in Asia and elsewhere, although I recognize that not everyone shares it to the same degree, and there are different ways of understanding synodality. That's the reality. Those who attended the synod—perhaps not all—but in general, I think they truly want the Church to become a synodal Church.
Why do you think the more Conservative sectors don't understand synodality?
Some people still find discernment a bit fussy, a bit ambiguous, because they're not used to it. That's understandable. But certainly, synodality is not the democratization of the Church, as some fear. They still don't understand; they think we're eliminating the hierarchy. That's not the case. But they won't be convinced until they experience it for themselves. I believe synodality is truly the work of the Holy Spirit, and for the Church to bear witness to such a divisive, nationalistic, and selfish world, we must work together. We have to learn to do this within the Church. We still have to learn to listen to each other with empathy, respect, and depth. Then we will be able to discern and work together. I firmly believe this is the gift we are called to bear witness to and share with the world today.
Cathcon: Rhetorical games. Outrageously patronising to imply that conservatives and synodalist don't have a considered position on synod which is based on ignorance. They understand synod and its implications all too well.
Do you think there is more polarization in the Church after Francis's Papacy, as some right-wing groups claim?
I don't share that view. I don't think the Church is more polarized now. The same thing happened with other popes, and I think, in any case, the Church always needs unity.
Some criticized Francis for the document Fiducia Supplicans, on the blessing of people in homosexual unions... How do you see it?
Many people criticize Fiducia Supplicans without having actually read the document, but I think when people read it honestly, they see clearly that we are not blessing the union. We are blessing the people. To those who often criticize the document, I often say: if people come to me for a blessing after Mass or here on the street, should I ask them if they're gay? If they're divorced? I simply bless the person who asks. And the document says we can actually bless those who ask.
-Your approach to Islam, with the document on human fraternity, was also not well received by the conservative wing...
-In Hong Kong, we have six religions, and Islam is one of them. We meet regularly and talk with them; we are friends, we share values. Francis has allowed us to grow closer, he has brought us closer together. In fact, he has facilitated dialogue, trust, and mutual respect. There are always fanatics, fundamentalists in every religion, as Francis said, and it can be difficult to dialogue with them, but most are not like that. Francis broke the ice. So much so that after his death, I received letters of condolence from all the religious leaders, and this is only explained by the fact that he managed to reach everyone.
How do you feel about the responsibility of having to enter the Conclave to vote for the 267th Pontiff in history?
To be honest, I wish I didn't have to vote, because I wish Francis were still alive. But it's a fact that he's left us. So this is something we have to face. And I'm really praying. I know each person has a different understanding of the Conclave and says, "Oh, the Holy Spirit doesn't choose. The Holy Spirit just gives us the freedom and space to respond, to make our decision." But I think if we enter into discernment, we must return to our hearts, to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Because that's where the Holy Spirit communicates, and He will give us some kind of indication... I can't say for sure now, but that's certainly how I feel about discernment. We will have greater peace and certainty in choosing one option over the other. But this isn't going to be easy, because I'm sure there are different factors we must consider...
Do you think it will be a long or short Conclave?
-I hope it won't be too long. But it's a great responsibility. People are asking us to please elect a pope who is good for us, for the Church, and good for the world. Although, personally, I'm calm: I don't speak Italian and I'm a Jesuit (laughs).
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