Bishop James Curry, Lead Bishop for Freedom of Religion and Belief, has written to the Prime Minister to ask him to follow the lead of his predecessors in doing everything possible to secure the release of Jimmy Lai. Mr Lai, a British citizen, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison under the Hong Kong government’s national security laws which have been widely condemned.
Bishop Curry said: “Jimmy Lai’s ‘crime’ was to voice concerns, engage in peaceful protest, and publish a newspaper which was critical of oppressive new laws. He was briefly bailed and then re-arrested and denied bail in December 2020.
“He is held in solitary confinement, and his health is deteriorating rapidly. It is reported that he has no access to the sacraments.
“Around 200,000 migrants have come to the UK from Hong Kong since 2020, many of whom are Catholic. The Church in England and Wales continues to provide pastoral support to all those from Hong Kong who seek it. I also offer my prayers for those who are persecuted because of their faith or political beliefs throughout the world.
“I ask Catholics in England and Wales to join with me in seeking the intercession of St. Maximillian Kolbe for Jimmy Lai, and in seeking the intercession of St. Alban and St. Frances Cabrini for all those who have had to leave their own country because of persecution.”
