SW News: After almost two years, Hong Kong got its new shepherd on Saturday, December 4. On that day, Bishop-elect Stephen Chow Sau-yan received episcopal consecration at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in the city. Cardinal John Tong Hon, the apostolic administrator of Hong Kong, was the principal consecrator while Cardinal Joseph Zen and auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha were the co-consecrators.

On 17 May, Pope Francis named Father Stephen Chow Sau-yan, who served as the Provincial of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus, as the bishop of Hong Kong. The see had been lying vacant since the demise of Bishop Michael Yeung Ming-cheung in 2019. The newly ordained bishop has chosen the Society of Jesuit’s motto 'Ad maiorem Dei gloriam' meaning “For the greater glory of God” as his motto.

Born in Hong Kong, Bishop Sau-yan completed his education in the US and Ireland. In 2018, he was named the head of the Jesuit order for China region.

Speaking after the ordination, Bishop Sau-yan shared his hope to foster healing in the Church and in the city that has witnessed anti-government protests since 2019. The ordination, which was live-streamed on YouTube, was watched by over 6,000 people.