Hong Kong Diocese opens Door of Mercy

Cardinal John Tong Hon of Hong Kong Diocese opened the Holy Door of Mercy of his cathedral Saturday evening, inaugurating the Jubilee Year of Mercy at the diocesan local level.  The ceremony after Vespers was attended by hundreds of faithful.  In his homily, Cardinal Tong said that "God will be a friend of sinners,” explaining that in the four Gospels there are dozens of passages in which Jesus is full of mercy. “Mercy and reconciliation,” he said, “are so closely connected but reconciliation is not only between peoples and nations. It is also internal to families and individuals.”  “These dimensions are interrelated". 

The opening of the Holy Door ceremony included reading of passages from four documents of Vatican II and blessing of those present and the Holy Door.  There were many representatives of parish councils and dozens of priests.  Card. Tong blessed the stoles of the confessors with the logo of the Jubilee.

Hong Kong diocese has decided that there will be seven Holy Doors, among them the Church of the Immaculate Heart of  Mary, where Card. Tong will open the door on Jan. 1.  (Source: AsiaNews)