On the other hand, the news may upset others, both within and outside the church, who have always questioned the new cardinal's suitability, as a religious leader, to comment on social and political issues.
Cardinal Zen's outspoken style in handling social issues has often been criticised for mixing religion and politics. Many critics have argued that religion and politics should be separate. Others regard him as the conscience of the church and society for his role in fighting for social justice.
Criticism and praise of the prelate are often determined by the political stance of those making the comments, rather than knowledge of the role a church leader should play in society - and whether the church should have a mission of social concern. What people oppose, in fact, is that Cardinal Zen stands for the underprivileged, and supports more political participation. This may hinder the interests of the privileged, and anger Beijing.
People often get a confused idea of what is meant by the separation of church and state. They sometimes adopt the definition set by totalitarian regimes instead of the understanding of academics or the church itself. They think that any individual or group with views that differ from the government's should keep out of political affairs: otherwise it will be considered intervening in state affairs. However, the act of intervening is very different from commenting on public affairs.
In January, Pope Benedict released his first encyclical, Deus Caritas Est - literally "God is love" - saying clearly that the church should not turn away when it discovers injustice in society. That is because the doctrine of love requires us to stand for social justice. Over the years, the church has issued various documents on social teaching, encouraging clergies and the faithful around the world to uphold human dignity and advance social justice in their communities. This is an inherent mission of the Catholic Church and every Christian.
We don't expect Cardinal Zen to act like the late Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila - calling for people to take to the streets to overthrow an authoritarian government. But we do expect him to uphold social justice in society in relation to the church's doctrine of love, and to encourage Christians to carry out the mission of love and justice.
It is strange for people to suggest that religious people should not take part in any secular activities. As a moral guide in society, a church leader has a duty to speak out for the powerless and underprivileged, and to remind the ruling class of what it should do to ensure that civil rights are protected and wealth is distributed fairly.
In a recent interview with CNN, Cardinal Zen explained that there were two distinct types of politics: official, party politics and the wider participation of civil society. He said clergy and religious people should not engage in the first, but that the latter was a duty of all citizens.
In Hong Kong, party politics is very much related to winning more seats in the legislative and district councils. However, taking part in a civil-rights movement is a different story. This is targeted at encouraging people to construct a more just society. It is exactly the kind of politics that every citizen should take part in.
Politics is intertwined with almost everything in our daily life. Those who claim they can stay away from it, washing their hands of any form of politics, should think again.
(SCMP, 31 March 2006)
