Solidarity with Jimmy Lai
Purple Catholic Saturday Post
Good morning and happy Saturday.
On Monday, a three-judge panel will hand down a verdict in a Kowloon courtroom on pro-democracy advocate and Catholic media mogul Jimmy Lai.
Lai is facing charges of sedition and collusion with a foreign power. This is after he was already jailed for violating Hong Kong’s national security law, which was retroactively applied to him, after he led a prayer service outside of the Hong Kong Legislative Council building. His newspaper, Apple Daily, the last pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong, has been shuttered following police raids and arrests of senior staff.
Lai’s initial arrest was in 2020, shortly after a conversation he had with my former employer Al Kresta on Kresta in the Afternoon. Al asked him why he wanted to stay in Hong Kong, knowing the risk he was taking with his own personal freedom, after all, Lai also holds British citizenship. Lai responded that Hong Kong is his home and that the people there are his people. He could not just abandon them.
I have been following Lai’s saga since the 2020 interview, and I am happy to see that it is finally receiving more media attention in the West. His son has appeared on Catholic and secular media, the Acton Institute produced a documentary about Lai, and recently, President Trump said he raised the issue with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping.
It is easy to ignore Lai’s trial, given the great distance between our shores and Hong Kong’s. Like with the plight of Christians in Nigeria or the Middle East or the changes to European marriage law forced upon Eastern Europe, Lai’s trial feels distant, unconnected to our day-to-day lives.
We’ve created this bubble ourselves. We are so obsessed with what is happening to us and us alone that we neglect to stop and reflect on our brothers and sisters around the world. We do this politically, economically, and liturgically.
Particularly in a universal Church such as ours, we must never ignore the needs and persecution of our brothers and sisters, lest some day they may ignore us.
Lai is a brother in Christ, advocating for justice, not just for himself, but for his fellow citizens. This is a noble and worthwhile task. Like our civil rights heroes in the 20th century, Lai may never see the outcome of his work, but it will be felt in future generations. He deserves our solidarity and prayers.
It will probably take a miracle for a court in Hong Kong to acquit Lai of these charges. Hong Kong’s democracy has eroded in recent years under pressure from the Chinese Communist Party. But, as Christians, we do believe in miracles. The Holy Spirit can change hearts and minds. I ask that you pray for Jimmy Lai’s acquittal as one of your prayer intentions this weekend.
Editor’s note: I am working on obtaining a copy of the 2020 Al Kresta interview with Jimmy Lai. I hope to share it on UP North Catholic next week.
For a good summary of the accusations and trial, check out this piece from Reuters.
This week on UP North Catholic:
The Jubilee Year of Hope is coming to a close and Matthew discusses some news stories you may have missed. Tune in at 7pm this evening on 103.9FM in Marquette, MI or online at ClavesRegniMinistries.com.
You can also find the show on Sundays here on PurpleCatholic.com or wherever you listen to podcasts.
UP North Catholic w/ Matthew Handley
Tune into Matthew Handley’s newest program, UP North Catholic on Northern Apostle Radio or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Third Sunday of Advent
This Sunday at Mass we will hear from Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-10; and Matthew 11:2-11.
December 17-24 and the octave of Christmas are known liturgically as “privileged seasons.” This means all obligatory memorials are not celebrated.
During a privileged season, it is still possible to celebrate a saint, at least in the Liturgy of the Hours. This is known as a “commemoration.” In the Office of Readings, after the patristic reading (that is, the second reading) and its responsory from the Proper of Seasons (that is, the reading from the day, not the saint) are said, a proper reading of the saint may follow with the concluding prayer of the saint.
In Morning and Evening Prayer, the end of the concluding prayer can be omitted and the saint’s antiphon and prayer, from the proper or common, may be added.
For example, the Memorial of St. John of Kanty, priest falls on December 23. Since this is a privileged season, it becomes a Commemoration. As such, the end of Morning Prayer can look like this:
… but deliver us from evil. (Our Father)
Father, we contemplate the birth of your Son. He was born of the Virgin Mary and came to live among us. May we receive forgiveness and mercy. (Concluding Prayer)
All the world will recognize you as my disciples when they see the love you have one for another. (Proper Antiphon of the Saint)
Almighty Father, through the example of Jonh of Kanty may we grow in the wisdom of the saints. As we show understanding and kindness to others, may we receive your forgiveness. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. (Proper Prayer of the Saint)
Of course, you can simply follow the office of the day and not celebrate the Commemoration. I’m fairly certain St. John of Kanty will not be offended or feel left out, so long as you’re praying.
You can read more about the specifics in the General Instruction for the Liturgy of the Hours, particularly in paragraphs 237-239.
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good tidings to the afflicted
Isaiah 61:1
In the news:
The United States
Boston area pastor refuses to remove anti-ICE nativity scene - National Catholic Register
Carrie Gress warns modern feminism has become a “megachurch” - FOX News
Catholic World Report’s “Best Books I Read in 2025” - Catholic World Report
Is there a crisis in the priesthood in the USA? - Marcel LeJeune in Catholic Missionary Disciples
The Vatican
Read Pope Leo XIV’s Apostolic Letter on the importance of archaeology - Vatican.va
Pope says Trump Ukraine plan would weaken U.S. alliance with Europe - Catholic News Agency
Vatican II at 60 - Larry Chapp, PhD in Catholic World Report
The World
Catholic Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai verdict set for Dec. 15 - UCA News
Thailand’s Catholic bishops sound alarm as border clashes displace thousands - LiCAS News
Basque criminal court acquits pro-lifers praying outside abortion clinic - Crux
Nigerian children reunite with their parents after being released from abduction - Crux
Have a good weekend,
Matthew