Cardinal Joseph Zen

The Latest

Cardinal Joseph Zen is bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

Cardinal Zen publishes new critique of Synod on Synodality

Feb 16, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The bishop emeritus of Hong Kong warns that the synod’s vision of the Church “can change everything, the doctrine of... Read more

Hong Kong.Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai Chee Ying arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Court, May 18, 2020.

Hong Kong activist: Proposed law could worsen religious liberty, persecute Catholics

Feb 13, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

If enacted, Article 23 would expand the law to bolster the government’s crackdown on political dissidents, which has been ongoing... Read more

Joseph Cardinal Zen is bishop emeritus of Hong Kong.

Cardinal Zen discusses his new book for Lent and concerns for the Church

Feb 2, 2024

By Joe Bukuras

In an interview with Raymond Arroyo, Cardinal Joseph Zen discussed his new book “Cardinal Zen’s Lenten Reflections” and recent matters... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen preaches a sermon during a Mass at the Holy Cross Church on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China.

Cardinal Zen: Fiducia Supplicans ‘creates confusion’; suggests Fernández should resign

Jan 25, 2024

By Edward Pentin

In a statement published Jan. 23 on his blog, Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun said the declaration contains numerous passages in... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen preaches a sermon during a Mass at the Holy Cross Church on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China.

Cardinal Zen expresses concerns about Synod on Synodality in leaked letter to bishops

Oct 4, 2023

By AC Wimmer

Just days before the Synod on Synodality kicked off its first round of meetings at the Vatican, a letter from... Read more

Left to right: German Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, Mexican Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, and Chinese Cardinal Zen Ze-Kiun.

The 5 cardinals behind the latest dubia issued to Pope Francis

Oct 2, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The prelates, who also issued a “Notification to Christ’s Faithful,” hail from the diverse ecclesiastical landscapes of Europe, Asia, Africa,... Read more

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone

Archbishop Cordileone to hold Holy Hour for Cardinal Zen, Jimmy Lai, and Hong Kong

Apr 3, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco will hold a eucharistic Holy Hour and rosary Monday evening for the people of... Read more

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims from China at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 7, 2016.

Local Chinese authorities order parents at school to sign pledge renouncing their faith 

Mar 23, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

In another crackdown on religious freedom, authorities in an eastern Chinese city ordered parents to sign a pledge that affirms... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen, one of Asia's highest-ranking Catholic clerics, arrives at a court for his trial in Hong Kong on Sept. 26, 2022.

Cardinal Zen and Jimmy Lai among Hong Kongers nominated for Nobel Peace Prize 

Feb 3, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

A bipartisan congressional commission chaired by Rep. Chris Smith announced Thursday the nomination of six Hong Kongers for their efforts... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong, attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square.

Cardinal Zen hospitalized in Hong Kong after returning from Benedict XVI’s funeral

Feb 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The 91-year-old cardinal wrote on his blog on Jan. 31 that he is receiving treatment in the hospital after experiencing... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong, attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square.

Cardinal Zen ‘very concerned’ about Synod on Synodality

Jan 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In an interview with the Italian newspaper Il Giornale published on Jan. 17, Zen said that he hopes that the... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Cardinal Zen meets Pope Francis, prays at Benedict XVI’s tomb

Jan 7, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 90-year-old cardinal was in Rome for two days after the Hong Kong authorities temporarily released his passport. Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen, former bishop of Hong Hong, attends the funeral Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on Jan. 5, 2023, in St. Peter's Square.

Cardinal Zen attends Benedict XVI funeral after Hong Kong authorities release passport

Jan 5, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The 90-year-old cardinal from Hong Kong arrived in St. Peter’s Square dressed in red and walking with a cane to... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen preaches a sermon during a Mass at the Holy Cross Church on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China.

Cardinal Zen: Benedict XVI will be a ‘powerful intercessor in heaven’ for China

Jan 3, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In a reflection posted on his blog on Jan. 3, Cardinal Joseph Zen remembered Benedict XVI as a “great defender... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun, Bishop Emeritus of Hong Kong, speaks at the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.

Cardinal Zen appeals conviction in Hong Kong court

Dec 14, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Joseph Zen has filed an appeal with Hong Kong’s High Court following his conviction last month for failing to... Read more

A worshiper waves the flag of China as Pope Francis leaves following the weekly general audience on June 12, 2019, at St. Peter's square in the Vatican.

Vatican says China violated terms of agreement with bishop installation

Nov 26, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Holy See “noted with surprise and regret” that Bishop John Peng Weizhao had been installed as an “auxiliary bishop... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen.

Hong Kong court convicts Cardinal Zen and five other democracy advocates

Nov 25, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Joseph Zen and five others were found guilty on Friday of failing to register a fund that helped pay... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen, the former bishop of Hong Kong, pictured on Feb. 18, 2021.

Verdict in Cardinal Zen’s trial expected on Friday

Nov 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

One of the pro-democracy advocates on trial with Cardinal Joseph Zen was recently arrested under Hong Kong’s national security law. Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen (right)  arrives at a court for his trial in Hong Kong on Sept. 26, 2022.

Cardinal Zen trial update: Defense calls for charges to be dismissed

Oct 31, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Lawyers defending Cardinal Joseph Zen and five other Hong Kong democracy activists took the floor Monday in the West Kowloon... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China.

Cardinal Zen’s trial reopens in Hong Kong days after Vatican-China deal renewal

Oct 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen resumed in Hong Kong on Wednesday, days after the Vatican announced the renewal of... Read more