16 Facts About Savio Hon

Savio Hon Tai-fai SDB is a Hong Konger Prelate who works in the diplomatic service of the Holy See.

Savio Hon served as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples from 2010 to 2017.

Savio Hon made perpetual vows on 15 August 1975 and was ordained a priest in Hong Kong on 17 July 1982.

Savio Hon's research has appeared in a variety of journals, especially those devoted to theology.

Savio Hon was responsible for the translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church into Chinese.

Savio Hon belongs to the Salesian Province of China which encompasses mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.

Savio Hon became a member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology in 1999.

Savio Hon was named to a five-year term as a member of the International Theological Commission in 2004 and his appointment was renewed in 2009.

Savio Hon was consecrated in Rome on 5 February 2011 by Pope Benedict, with Cardinals Angelo Sodano and Tarcisio Bertone as co-consecrators.

Savio Hon said of his consecration: "I could feel an airstream when the pope laid his hands with strength on my head".

Savio Hon added that those who have resisted the will of the party, such as Monsignor Li Lianghui are now in isolation, forced to undergo political re-education classes.

Savio Hon said that Chinese priests and bishops must show "some backbone" and resist government pressure out of love for Church unity and the memory of the many heroic witnesses to the faith of the past decades.

Savio Hon has sought without success to win the release from prison of two imprisoned bishops, Su Zhi-Min of Baoding and Cosma Shi Enxiang of Yixian.

In July 2011, Archbishop Savio Hon, while addressing hundreds of delegates during the 17th plenary assembly of Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa in Nairobi, stressed the ever-increasing role of the lay faithful in evangelization.

Savio Hon warned against the culture of death especially abortion and other "ideological poisons from abroad", which are leading to the erosion of certain African values whose sense of family the church supports.

Archbishop Hon served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, from 6 June 2016 until 31 October 2016 when Michael J Byrnes was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of the archdiocese.