ENG-2006 — Page 436

Christian Council was formed in 1954 and is a member of the World Council of Churches. Its core members major denominations, ecumenical service agencies and the Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia are committed to building a closer relationship among all churches in Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas. The Council also encourages local Christians to play an active part in the development of Hong Kong society. It seeks to serve the wider community through its affiliated organisations such as the Hong Kong Christian Service, Hong Kong Christian Industrial Committee, United Christian Medical Service, Christian Family Service Centre, and Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital.

Roman Catholic Community

The Roman Catholic Church in Hong Kong was established as a mission prefecture in 1841; became a vicariate apostolic in 1874; and a diocese in 1946. There are about 243 000 Catholics in Hong Kong served by 289 priests, 72 brothers and 508 sisters. There are 52 parishes, comprising 41 churches, 34 chapels and 27 halls for religious services conducted in Cantonese; three-fifths of the parishes also provide services in English and, in some cases, Tagalog, the Filipino language. The diocese has its own administrative structure while maintaining close links with the Pope and other Catholic communities around the world with which it shares the same creed, scripture, liturgy and organisation.

Along with its apostolic work, one of the prime concerns of the diocese is the well-being of the community as a whole. The diocese has 309 Catholic schools and kindergartens catering to about 250 000 pupils. The schools are assisted by the Catholic Education Office. Medical and social services are provided to at least six hospitals, 14 clinics, 38 social and family service centres, 18 hostels, 13 homes for the aged, 20 rehabilitation service centres and many self-help clubs and associations. Caritas is the official social welfare arm of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong. These services are offered to everyone and, indeed, 95 per cent of those who have benefited from them are not Catholics.

The diocese publishes two weekly newspapers Kung Kao Po and the Sunday Examiner. It also produces cultural and educational programmes for broadcast on TV and for incorporation in DVDs for distribution. Other media activities are generally coordinated by the Hong Kong Catholic Social Communications Office.

Muslim Community

There are about 90 000 Muslims in Hong Kong, of whom some 30 000 are Chinese. The others are mostly locally born non-Chinese but there are also Muslims from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Middle Eastern and African countries.

The Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong, a public charity, coordinates all of Hong Kong's Islamic religious activities. A board of trustees, nominated by the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, the Pakistan Association, the Indian Muslim Association and the Dawoodi Bohra Association, manages and maintains the masjids, two cemeteries and one kindergarten. In addition, the trustees organise Muslim festivals and other religious events. Charity work carried out by