The Regional Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) of Hong Kong–Macao has 129 members, of whom seventy-nine are active. It is divided into four local fraternities: one on Hong Kong Island, two in Kowloon, and one in the area known as the New Territories.
On Thursday afternoon, April 9, 2026, two representatives of the International Council of the Secular Franciscan Order (CIOFS), Francis PARK and Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI, OFM Conv., met with the Regional Minister Lucia LAU, the Vice Minister, Teresa TANG, and several other OFS members with special roles.
On Friday morning, the visitors met with Friar William NG, OFM, President of the Hong Kong Foundation. The Foundation belongs to the Friars Minor Province of Our Lady Queen of China, based in Taiwan, and represents the first step in establishing a stable presence. Its leader is called a president. As the representative of the Minister Provincial, Friar William is deeply committed to supporting the OFS and has also guided the Regional Fraternity of Hong Kong as its Spiritual Assistant.
At 2:15 p.m. on Friday, the visitors were received by His Eminence Cardinal Stephen CHOW SAU-YAN, S.J., Bishop of Hong Kong, China. The meeting was very cordial and productive. It gave the visitors an opportunity to better understand the current situation. They also assured the cardinal that the OFS fraternity is eager to be fully involved in the life of the local Church. The visitors also got to meet with the Most Reverend Joseph HA CHI-SHING, OFM, Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong.
At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, everyone took part in a Mass celebrating the 80th anniversary of the diocese. In the afternoon, the visitors met with the Regional Council. The day concluded with a fraternal recreational event called “Franciscan Joy.”
On Sunday, the Elective Chapter was conducted. Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI gave the Capitulars a lecture on several important themes taken from the Testament of St. Francis. The lecture helped them better understand the relevance of the Franciscan charism today.
The elective session was presided over by Francis PARK, delegate of the OFS Minister General, Tibor KAUSER. Those present included sixty-three Capitulars with voting rights and twenty observers. Teresa TANG was elected Regional Minister. The new Regional Council was installed immediately after the election, and the priorities for the next three-year term were approved.
The Chapter concluded with a Mass at 6:00 p.m., presided over by the Regional Spiritual Assistant, Friar Matthias CHOI, OFM.
Friar Ștefan ACATRINEI
