Churches Open for Demonstrators in Hong Kong 2019 Protest Faces Risk of HKGov’s Retaliation Under National Security Law

Recently, local pastors in Hong Kong confirmed with Christian media outlets that the authorities did ask the churches why they allowed protesters into the churches back in 2019 and used community service premises as a gathering space.

On April 17, Christian Times quoted the speech of Fan Kwok-kwong  at Shaping the Hong Kong Church Prospect Conference in Hong Kong, who is the Director-General of Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Union.

Fan said, “During the Hong Kong Anti-extradition Protests, some missionary churches opened their space for the public to rest and take shelter from the tear gas. At the time, two newspapers headlined the incident.”

According to pastors who spoke to Christian media outlets, the Hong Kong government and authorities questioned why the churches allowed people to enter their social service premises for gatherings.

The newspaper quoted Fan’s distraught reply, that there was already consensus between the government and the missionaries in the past that churches would use the space for social services and prayer gatherings. “However, it comes out the existence of the original church and the legal place of use is in doubt,” Leung pointed out.

After nearly two years of discussion with the authorities, Hong Kong churches could finally continue to use their premises as a gathering place. 

Subsequently, Fan admitted a sense of crisis began to surface after the years-long debate.

What Happened In August 2019?

On Aug. 3, 2019, Christian Times announced on Facebook that churches in Tseung Kwan O and Hong Kong Island West would open as rest stops, silence rooms, and prayer space for needy citizens.

On Aug 4, 2019, Hongkongers went on a strike to demand the government’s response to their five demands. CNN reported that the Hang Seng Index fell nine percent on that day. 

And later, CCP mouthpiece media, Wenweipo, headlined that “someone” (church workers) allowed protesters to take refuge using the church’s name. The red newspaper implied church staff members helping protesters hide from the police’s in chase.

During the anti-extradition movement, many churches offered space for followers to find peace and pray amid the ongoing violence and police brutality in Hong Kong.

Peaceful Rally Led to Violent Disperse

Protesters paralyzed the traffic across significant tunnels in Hong Kong, which included the busiest tunnel, Hung Hom Cross-Harbor Tunnel, a lifeline that connected Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

The rally in Tseung Kwan O gathered thousands of protesters onto the streets to show their anger against the Hong Kong government. The Hong Kong people demanded the government withdraw the anti-extradition law, call for an independent inquiry into police brutality against arrested protesters and those detained in San Uk Ling, and the five demands.

The government’s warning to the demonstrators referred to demonstrators as “rioters.”

As the sun went down, police began dispersing the crowd by repeatedly firing tear gas and spraying the crowd with pepper spray.  Standoffs and clashes transpired in other places nearby.

The police arrested many they saw on the streets on suspicion of illegal assembly, possession of weapons, and assaulting police officers as some protesters tried to find shelter. 

At around 7 p.m., black smoke reached the sky, and citizens scrambled to find a safe way to leave the affected areas; the police locked down most of the exits of MTR stations and bus terminals. As the violence escalated, many innocent citizens, were stranded on the street and had nowhere to go, sought salvage and shelter nearby. 

Then at about 8 p.m., Christian Times announced on Facebook that various churches in Hong Kong Districts would open their space as emergency shelters for anyone who sought refuge and needed rest, supplies, medical attention, and protection. 

The churches also arranged prayer rooms and silence spaces for those in need. Because of the churches’ help to the public, Wenweipo accused the religious groups of “helping rioters.”

National Security Law Persecutes Opposition

Three primary Christian evangelical leaders and two seminary deans attended the church referenced.

In the conference, the religious leaders discussed the situation of churches and how they should respond under the National Security Law.

Choi Siu-kei, director of Alliance Bible Seminary, quoted some of the content in the close-door meeting and said under the NSL, there must be a clear division when using church halls in schools.

Any church gatherings inside a school must have the church’s gathering space separate from the school. Choi also recommended relocation to a new address to avoid unnecessary arguments.

Churches and their leaders who were vocal and proactive during the Hong Kong Protests are under threat in Hong Kong due to the National Security Law. Last year, 90-year-old Cardinal Joseph Zen was arrested and charged with “colluding with foreign forces” under this law, as he was one of the shareholders of the now-dissolved 612 Humanitarian Funds.

According to the estimates from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, the population of Hong Kong was 7.29 million as of the middle of 2022, and 13 percent are believed to be in Christianity or Catholicism.

Politics Becoming A Forbidden Subject In Churches

Hong Kong Church Renewal Movement Director-General Leung Kwok-chuen stated, “A year after the National Security Law implementation, HKCRM surveyed from June to August 2021 on Hong Kong churches’ follow-up in times of adversity. It discovered over 30 percent of the church halls were considering or had already been planning to change how they had been operating amid the political atmosphere and oppression in the society.”

Churches Fear and Steer Away From The Regime

Leung quoted the research result and pointed out that the churches were already changing operation strategies.

Interviewees said churches that have made opinions non-public and adjusted their preaching or sermons, accounted for 14.1 percent and 11.2 percent, respectively.

Leung commented, “If we look objectively, public opinions made by churches are now considered more prudent. The phenomenon aligns with that of the current society.” 

In other words, citizens and church leaders are extra cautious of what they say publicly, especially politically, or they may speak against the government.

Choi Siu-kei synthesized data from churches of different sects, and the number of worshipers has dropped by 15 to 25 percent. 

Donations dedicated to churches have also decreased by 10 to 20 percent, while the number of pastors has declined by 5 to 10 percent.

The Christian movement director-general was also concerned that the numbers are still unclear and may be more than the surveyed data reported after the pandemic.

Religious groups are protected under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Ordinance, and the Companies Ordinance. Worshipers and churches have the right to enjoy any place, including buildings or property units. 

Additionally, there is no specification on the limits of usage or purpose.