The Archbishop of Hong Kong is facing criticism after he told pro-Democracy activists to be “silent like Jesus”

The Archbishop of Hong Kong, the Most Rev. Paul Kwong, is facing criticism after he told pro-Democracy activists to be “silent like Jesus” in a sermon preached on 6 July 2014 at St Paul’s Church. Archbishop Kwong, a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, observed that Jesus remained silent when Pontius Pilate sentenced him to death. He stated that the Occupy Central protestors arrested on 2 July 2014 at a sit in who complained about not being feed or allowed to use bathrooms while in police custody were spoiled. He asked in his sermon why they had not thought to “bring along their Filipino maids” to the rally. The General Secretary of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui, the Rev. Peter Koon, told the South China Morning Post the archbishop’s comments were a jest and not a statement of church policy. Dr. Kwong often delivered his sermon with a “humorous and witty” flare, Mr. Koon said. “People need to listen to the whole sermon. If you take out snippets, then it may sound like he was mocking,” he said, adding that the sermon was not a “public statement.” The Rev. Kwok Nai-wang, a senior pastor at the Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China, said the archbishop’s words were inappropriate. “The students are fighting for a better future in Hong Kong, risking their future. He shouldn’t poke fun at them,” Mr. Kwok said.