ENG-1947 — Page 168

Religion

الخالياا

The

Chapter 13.

Quite a wide variety of religions is represented in Hong Kong. By far the most numerous in their followers, of course, are the Chinese creeds, Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, and altogether about 150 Chinese temples are registered with the Secre- tary for Chinese Affairs under the provisions of Ordinance No. 7 of 1928 which requires the registration of all Chinese temples.

Christian Churches are well represented and there is a substantial number of churches in all parts of the Colony belonging to the Anglican Church of China, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Free Churches, all of which include English and Chinese speaking sections. There is also a Russian Orthodox Church in the Colony. The Indian Community has four places of worship, the Sikh Temple, two Mosques and a Parsee Temple. The greater part of the Indian population of Hong Kong is Muslim (about 1,100); Sikhs and Sindhis with about 300 each are also well represented. The Sikh temple which was standing before the war was destroyed during hos- tilities, but has now been replaced.

There is a Jewish Community of about 100-120 mainly composed of merchants. The community is very old, dating back to the foundation of the Colony. One synagogue is maintained.

The physical damage wrought upon the Christian churches of Hong Kong by the war and the Japanese occupation was not inconsiderable. St. John's Cathedral, seat of the Diocese of Victoria and South China, was heavily damaged, and the Free Churches also suffered badly. On the other hand most of the churches of the Chung Hwa Sheng Kung Hui, or the Chinese- speaking section of the Church of China, remained intact. At the same time there has been a marked resurgence of spiritual feeling and from all sides come reports of churches packed to overflowing every Sunday morning. Attendances at churches were at their greatest just after the liberation, and a slight falling-off has occurred, but on the whole, churches are fuller now than at any time before the war. The Church of China claims an increase since the war varying from 25% to 50% from congregation to congregation in the number of communicants and candidates for confirmation, while the Catholic Church

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