07553
September 5, 2007

Hong Kong Bible display shows Christian role in education, medicine

by Francis Wong
Ecumenical News International

HONG KONG — Churches and Christian organizations in Hong Kong are sponsoring an exhibition on the Bible and mission to commemorate the presence of Christianity in the Chinese city over the last 200 years.

“The exhibition displays different versions of the Chinese Bible and the presence of Christianity in the fields of education, medical and social services,” said Mary Leung Ling Tien-wei, general secretary of the Hong Kong Bible Society, the exhibition’s organizer, at the opening ceremony on Aug. 29.

“However, it’s a pity that the rich history and presence of Christianity in Hong Kong have not been displayed and included in the public museums,” Leung added. The exhibition is on display at the City Hall building from Aug. 28 to Sept. 9.

“Let us not forget that the Western medical services and education system in Hong Kong were introduced by Christian missionaries,” she said. “It is the missionaries who fought for the equality of men and women, provided education to women, fought against the culture of ‘servant-girl’ and ‘foot-binding.’”

Leung also praised the joint effort by different churches for the exhibition, which drew the support of Presbyterians, Anglicans, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Evangelicals, Lutherans and Methodists in the city, which is a Special Administrative Region of China.

The works of the first Protestant missionary to China, Robert Morrison (1782-1834), who arrived 200 years ago from England, are honored at the exhibition. While living in southern China, Morrison was the first Protestant missionary to translate the Bible into Chinese and his version of the Bible is displayed.