Joseph Ha Chi-shing

Joseph Ha Chi-shing, O.F.M. (Chinese: 夏志誠, born 4 March 1959) is a Catholic bishop and currently the Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong.

Biography

Bishop Ha was born in Hong Kong, and started learning Catholic catechism and was then baptised during his study in secondary school. After his graduation, he worked in the field of banking[1] before finding his vocational calling after a pilgrimage to a Marian shrine.[2] He joined the Order of Friars Minor in 1984, and received basic religious formation in Taiwan.[3]

He was ordained as a priest on 9 September 1990 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Hong Kong, from the hands of Cardinal John Baptist Wu, then Bishop of Hong Kong. Since his ordination, he has served as parish priest in St. Bonaventure Parish, Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish, and as Parochial Administrator of St. Francis's Parish. He was also appointed as supervisor of St. Bonaventure College & High School, St. Bonaventure Catholic Primary School and Tsz Wan Shan St. Bonaventure Catholic Primary School. He has also been a member of the Hong Kong Catholic Board of Education since 2011. He has also been elected twice as the President of the Franciscan Foundation in Hong Kong (in 1999 and 2010 respectively).

Rev. Ha is a renowned theologian and an expert in spirituality,[4] who holds a Master degree in Spirituality from Pontifical University Antonianum.

On 11 July 2014, Rev. Ha was appointed as one of the three Auxiliary Bishops of Hong Kong by Pope Francis, holding the titular see of Simitthu,[5] along with Rev. Michael Yeung Ming-cheung and Rev. Stephen Lee Bun-sang. They were then ordained as bishops on 30 August 2014, with Cardinal John Tong Hon, Bishop of Hong Kong, as their principal consecrator.

On 16 January 2016, Bishop Lee was appointed as Bishop of Macau.[6] Also, on 13 November 2016,[7] Bishop Yeung was also appointed as the Coadjutor Bishop of Hong Kong. Bishop Ha thus remains as the only Auxiliary Bishop in the diocese.

Coat of Arms

The Coat of Arms of Bishop Ha is unique in two ways: it adopted a simpler design of tassel cord loop, symbolizing simplicity, straightforwardness and sincerity; and it uses a Franciscan cross, instead of the more common Latin Cross, behind the shield.

His episcopal motto is Pax et Bonum, the greeting of St. Francis of Assisi, meaning peace and goodness.[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Statement of the Holy See Study Mission, Prot. 3.843/14" (PDF).
  2. ↑ "天主教夏志誠主教專訪" (PDF). 樹仁大學商業經濟及公共政策研究中心.
  3. ↑ "Bishop of Hong Kong - Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong". www.catholic.org.hk.
  4. ↑ "教宗任命楊鳴章、李斌生、夏志誠神父出任香港教區輔理主教 — 鹽與光". saltandlighttv.org.
  5. ↑ Cheney, David M. "Bishop Joseph Ha Chi-shing [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org.
  6. ↑ Cheney, David M. "Bishop Stephen Lee Bun Sang [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org.
  7. ↑ "Pope Francis appoints new bishop of Hong Kong". Catholic News Agency.
  8. ↑ "Bishop of Hong Kong - Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong". www.catholic.org.hk.
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