
Hong Kong churches promote economic justice at Christmas
The Hong Kong Catholic Church has reminded its members to be aware of the need for economic justice during the Christmas season and two other church groups are participating in the “Occupy” anti-corporate movement.
The Diocesan Catholic Commission for Labour Affairs (CCLA) has organised a Christmas campaign to boycott shopping centres to promote the cause and highlight the need to alleviate the wealth gap in society.
“The wealth gap in Hong Kong is widening, with land developers manipulating the local economy. Small-size shops are being marginalised due to large shopping centers and chain stores,” the commission said in a statement. “We encourage people to buy Christmas gifts at ‘mom and pop’ shops, helping to develop the community economy.”
The CCLA offers a list of 33 small shops that sell hand-made, environmentally friendly, and fair trade products. “To change the economic system, changing our lifestyle and modifying our consumer behaviours are equally important,” said But Ngan Ping, CCLA project officer.
“We believe that consumer behaviour can change the capitalistic world,” she said. The CCLA is visiting parishes to promote the campaign.
Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Christian Institute and a community church, One Body in Christ, are organising a Christmas carolling event on December 24, joining the Occupy Central movement — Hong Kong’s version of the Occupy Wall Street movement in the US — taking place near the headquarters of some banks in the financial district.
The two groups are also concerned about the effect of large shopping malls, claiming chain stores can drive smaller shop owners into poverty. “What is the Good News for the poor people?” asked group leaders, who insist that “economic hegemony should come to an end” and “power of the people should be restored”.
According to the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, there are 1.2 million people living in poverty in Hong Kong, out of a population of seven million. A recent poll shows 65 per cent of respondents think land developers have no social responsibility and are only interested in making money.
By Francis Wong, Ecumenical News International
Share
Insights Magazine
UPCOMING EVENTS
Regional Partnership Information Expo
Tue, 6th Jun 2023 - Thu, 8th Jun 2023Propel FOCUS | Sydney
Fri, 9th Jun 2023Spiritual Care Australia Conference - Trajectories of Hope
Mon, 19th Jun 2023 - Wed, 21st Jun 2023Listening to the Heart: Understanding The Voice
Sat, 1st Jul 2023National Conference of Lay Preachers 2023
Fri, 4th Aug 2023 - Mon, 7th Aug 2023- See more events
ADD AN EVENT
Are you hosting an event in the Synod that will be of interest to Insights’ readers?
To add an event listing email us your event details. A full list of events can be found on our Events page.