ENG-1975 — Page 230

RELIGION AND CUSTOM

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training centres, and aid for the handicapped. With decreasing overseas assistance, the local congregations are providing a greater share of the support.

The mainline denominations--together with active Christian organisations such as the YMCA, YWCA, and the Bible Society have associated themselves for co- operative work in the Hong Kong Christian Council. Established in 1954, the council promotes ecumenical projects and concerns in Christian service, industrial mission, Christian education and communication. The council's Christian Centre facilities include a conference room, recording studios, film libraries and a reference library. The Christian Council's 23 members represent the majority of the Protestant Church membership in Hong Kong.

In the same building with the council is the long-established Hong Kong Chinese Christian Churches Union. The union is an association based on congregations rather than denominations. In the past year, the number of member-congregations has increased from 174 to 185.

Another organisation with a long history is the Chinese Christian Literature Council-publishers of Christian literature for the Chinese communities of Southeast Asia. This council carries on the activities of the former Christian Literature Society of Shanghai, founded in 1887.

The Christian Study Centre at Sha Tin is an ecumenical study and research centre which promotes seminars and studies of Christian concerns and Christian understand- ing of Asian culture and religions.

In May 1975 the new care centre for severely mentally retarded children was opened at Sunnyside Precentorium, Junk Bay. In the pilot stage, it provides for 10 children. This centre, like the existing two hostels for the elderly, is a co-operative project of Protestant churches and service agencies. It is administered by the Junk Bay Medical Relief Council.

November was highlighted by the Billy Graham Crusade. This was sponsored by a committee representing the total Protestant community of Hong Kong.

The end of the Vietnam war brought an unexpected responsibility to the Chris- tians of Hong Kong. Thousands of refugees arrived from Vietnam, and for nearly six months the Hong Kong Christian Council co-ordinated the work of Protestant groups among the refugees.

Roman Catholic Church

It was in April 1841 that Pope Gregory XVI established the Apostolic Prefecture of Hong Kong. The first Prefect, Monsignor Theodore Joset, built a matshed church at what is now the intersection of Wellington and Pottinger Streets. He established a seminary for the training of Chinese priests and persuaded religious sisters to come to Hong Kong to start schools, hospitals, creches and other welfare work.

In 1867 the Pontifical Institute of the Foreign Missions of Milan took charge of the Prefecture, with Monsignor T. Raimondi as Prefect (later Bishop). This institute