Stephen Chow (bishop)

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His Excellency, The Most Reverend

Stephen Chow Sau-yan

SJ
Bishop of Hong Kong
Stephen Chow Sau-Yan in 2021-05-19.jpg
Father Chow on 19 May 2021
ChurchRoman Catholic Church
SeeHong Kong
Appointed17 May 2021
Installed4 December 2021
PredecessorMichael Yeung
Orders
Ordination16 July 1994
by John Baptist Wu
Consecration4 December 2021
by John Tong Hon
Personal details
Born (1959-08-07) 7 August 1959 (age 62)
British Hong Kong
NationalityChinese
DenominationRoman Catholic
ResidenceHong Kong
Previous post(s)
  • Provincial superior of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus (2018–2021)
Alma materUniversity of Minnesota
Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy
Loyola University Chicago
Harvard University
Coat of armsStephen Chow Sau-yan's coat of arms
Ordination history of
Stephen Chow
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byJohn Baptist Wu (Hong Kong)
Date16 July 1994
PlaceCathedral of the Immaculate Conception, British Hong Kong
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorJohn Tong Hon (Hong Kong em.)
Co-consecratorsJoseph Zen (Hong Kong em.)
Joseph Ha (Hong Kong aux.)
Date4 December 2021
PlaceCathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong
Source(s):[1][2]
Styles of
Stephen Chow Sau-yan
Coat of arms of Stephen Chow Sau Yan.svg
Reference styleHis Excellency
The Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleBishop

Stephen Chow Sau-yan, SJ (Chinese: 周守仁, born 7 August 1959) is a Hong Kong Chinese bishop of the Catholic Church. He is the Bishop of Hong Kong, appointed to the position in 2021 after previously serving as the provincial superior of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus.

Early life[]

Chow was born in British Hong Kong on 7 August 1959. He studied psychology and philosophy at the University of Minnesota, obtaining a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Educational Psychology.[1][2] He subsequently joined the Society of Jesus in 1984, completing his noviceship in 1986. He joined the Milltown Institute of Theology and Philosophy in Dublin and gaining a Licentiate in Philosophy in 1988.[3] After obtaining the licentiate, he returned to Hong Kong and taught at Wah Yan College, Kowloon for two years. Starting in 1990, he studied theology at the Holy Spirit Seminary in Hong Kong.[2] On 16 July 1994, Chow was ordained to the Catholic priesthood at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception by John Baptist Wu, the Bishop of Hong Kong at the time. He undertook postgraduate studies at the Loyola University, Chicago, receiving a master's degree in Organization Development in 1995.[1][2]

Presbyteral ministry[]

Chow's first pastoral assignment was at Wah Yan Kowloon and Hong Kong, where he was chaplain, teacher, and school manager from 1996 to 2000.[2] He commenced doctoral studies at Harvard University in 2000 and was granted a Doctor of Education six years later.[3][4] His thesis was titled "Understanding Moral Culture in Hong Kong Secondary Schools: Relationships among Moral Norm, Moral Culture, Academic Achievement Motivation, and Empathy".[3][5] He made his final vows on 17 April 2007.[1]

Up until his appointment as bishop, Chow served as supervisor of both Wah Yan colleges in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.[1][2] He was an honorary assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong from 2007 to 2014, as well as a part-time professor of psychology at Holy Spirit Seminary (his alma mater).[1][3] He was a participant at the Jesuits' 36th General Congregation in October 2016.[2] Chow succeeded John Lee Hua as provincial superior of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus on 1 January 2018.[1][6]

Episcopal ministry[]

Chow was appointed Bishop of Hong Kong on 17 May 2021.[1] The see had been vacant since 3 January 2019, when Michael Yeung died in office after less than two years at the helm. His appointment was described as a surprise by the Jesuit magazine America given that he was not previously mentioned as one of the likely candidates for the post.[2] However, the Union of Catholic Asian News mentioned in January 2019 – shortly after Yeung's death – how two of the candidates were Jesuits, without specifically naming them.[7] Chow revealed how he initially declined to be bishop in December 2020, as he was of the opinion that the post should be taken up by a member of the secular clergy. However, he ultimately relented after receiving a handwritten letter from Pope Francis.[8][9] He was consecrated on 4 December 2021.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Resignations and Appointments". Holy See Press Office. Holy See. 17 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h O’Connell, Gerard (17 May 2021). "Head of Chinese Jesuits named new bishop of Hong Kong". America. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Announcement and Curriculum Vitae". Roman Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  4. ^ Lau, Mimi (17 May 2021). "Vatican appoints Stephen Chow as new bishop of Hong Kong". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  5. ^ Chow, Stephen Sau-Yan (2006). Understanding moral culture in Hong Kong secondary schools: Relationships among moral norm, moral culture, academic achievement motivation, and empathy (Ed.D.). Harvard University. Docket UMI 3221587. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  6. ^ "Hong Kong Jesuit for Asian provincial". Sunday Examiner. Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
  7. ^ "Bishop of Hong Kong passes away at 73". Hong Kong. Union of Catholic Asian News. 3 January 2019. Archived from the original on 20 February 2020. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  8. ^ Lau, Mimi (18 May 2021). "Hong Kong's new Catholic bishop pledges to unify divided city and start healing process among young". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  9. ^ "There is a God who wants us to be united, says bishop-elect". Sunday Examiner. Hong Kong. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Stephen Chow named as new bishop of Hong Kong". RTHK. Government of Hong Kong. 17 May 2021. Archived from the original on 17 May 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2021.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by
John Lee Hua
 Provincial Superior of the
Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus
2018–2021 		Succeeded by
Stephen Tong
Preceded by Bishop of Hong Kong
2021–present 		Incumbent
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