Joseph Cardinal Zen Ze-kiun of Hong Kong

Abstract

After his episcopal ordination as Hong Kong’s coadjutor bishop in 1996, bishop of Hong Kong in 2002, and Cardinal in 2006, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun retired in 2009. Zen had his intensive involvement in controversial issues; therefore, he conflicted with the Hong Kong government, when these issues were eroding human rights including religious freedom. He was against Sino-Vatican interactions. He stood on the side of the underground Catholics. He openly opposed the Sino-Vatican Agreement 2018 as the Holy See only has the veto power on China’s bishop appointment. However, together with Cardinal Sin of Manila, Cardinal Stephen Kim of Seoul, and Archbishop Pham Dinh Tung of Hanoi, he is honored as one of the four modern prophets in Asia after Vatican II.