On the afternoon of Thursday 18 June, Cardinal Mario Grech and Sr Nathalie Becquart XMCJ met Cardinal Stephen Chow Sau-yan, S.I., of the Diocese of Hong Kong, together with Auxiliary Bishop Mons. Joseph Ha Chi-shing, O.F.M., and the Bishop of the Diocese of Macao, Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang, who are carrying out their ad limina visit jointly.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss the theme of synodality in these Asian contexts and the experiences gained during this phase of implementation.

The Diocese of Macao has, who will soon celebrate its 450 anniversary of its foundation, organised various meetings involving representatives of the People of God, specifically to identify priorities. As lay faithful, religious women and men, and priests are already used to work together in parishes or in services organisation, the activities were mainly addressed to help parishes to work together and with services structures

For its part, the Diocese of Hong Kong presents its commitment to synodality in a transversal way with multiple examples (Caritas, Schools, Seminary, the Central Council od Catholic Laity, the Diocesan Pastoral Council) that illustrate concrete dedication to walking together as a Church.

“Our people are gradually beginning to appreciate, accept, and adopt the spirit of synodality in their ways of proceeding. Many of them have expressed, in their reports, how the spirit of synodality, and the “Conversation in the Spirit” in particular, has been helpful for them to re-focus their services in the spirit of communion, participation, and mission”, said cardinal Chow.

For both realities, improving formation on synodality in catholic schools, seminaries, and in youth ministries constitutes the next step in the implementation process of synodality.

To help in this task, the Diocese of Hong Kong has set up a Diocesan Development Team for Synodality since 2025 to ensure the development is diocesan-wide, covering different aspects and apostolates.