Mass held for Wang Fuk Court victims changed after police inquiry

A Catholic mass initially set to be offered for victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Tai Po on Sunday was altered and instead will be held for "all those who died this year" after receiving police enquiries.

This as Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha stressed the police would regularly inquire about mass attendance figures.

As the one-year anniversary of the Wang Fuk Court fire approaches, a mass was held at Tai Po's Immaculate Heart of Mary Church on Sunday afternoon -- presided over by Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha.

Ha said the mass was offered in remembrance of departed loved ones, particularly those who have perished in the Wang Fuk Court fire.

The Tai Po church earlier announced it would be offering the memorial mass for the tragedy on Sunday, but later altered it to be offered for "all those who died this year" after receiving police enquiries.

A subsequent parish announcement from the church noted the mass would be offered for "those who died this year and victims of the Wang Fuk Court fire".

Some of the faithful who are former residents of the housing estate shared their painful experiences. This man said he lost friends and fellow parishioners in the blaze. He emphasised that it is reasonable if authorities simply wanted to inquire about attendance numbers at mass, but questioned if that was the only intention.

While this woman said she would come to the annual memorial mass every year, adding that she simply wants to pray for the dead.

This as Cardinal and Bishop of Hong Kong Stephen Chow said the decision to make any changes related to the memorial mass lies with individual parishes, further saying that police concern is normal if attendance numbers are too high.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, a document that summarises the church's doctrine, the month of November is dedicated to remembering the faithful departed.