With the launch of Hong Kong’s first Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education in a teacher education institution, prospective teachers and serving teachers would have more solid support in their spiritual development as well as teaching of the related subjects.

Five of Hong Kong’s most eminent religious leaders gathered to bless The Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education (CRSE) at the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) at the unveiling ceremony today (14 November).

The Centre has so far obtained donations totaling $13 million from five major religious bodies, namely the Ching Chung Taoist Association, the Hong Kong Buddhist Association, the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui and Sik Sik Yuen. $12.4 million of these donations is expected being able to match dollar-to-dollar by the matching grant scheme of the University Grants Committee.

Officiating at the ceremony today are:-
• Mr Hsu Show-hoo -- Chairman, Sik Sik Yuen
• Mr Lai Sze-nuen -- Vice-President, The Hong Kong Buddhist Association
• The Most Reverend Dr Peter Kwong -- Archbishop, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
• Mr Mak Chi-fee -- Chairman, Ching Chung Taoist Association of HK
• His Eminence Cardinal Joseph Zen -- Bishop, Catholic Diocese of HK

Speaking at the ceremony, HKIEd President Prof Paul Morris expressed, on behalf of the Institute, his heartfelt gratitude to the five eminent religious bodies. He believed that “the Centre will serve as a hub that enables the spiritual riches of the various religions to create a greater impact on Hong Kong education.”

“The Centre is established with the aim that the Institute can contribute proactively and explicitly to an education that transcends narrow, instrumental goals, and embraces the spiritual aspects of life. The very enthusiastic spiritual and financial support the Centre has so far received from various parties is a vivid and strong affirmation of our effort in this direction,” said Prof Morris.

He also thanked the internationally-renowned master Sinologist Prof Jao Tsung-I for his support. Prof Jao not only accepted the invitation to serve as the Centre’s Honorary Adviser, but also blessed the Centre with his graceful calligraphy.

The Centre will work towards becoming a centre of excellence in the teaching, research and development of religious and spirituality education. It will help all HKIEd students with their spiritual development by offering modules in the area of Religious and Spirituality Education. It will also provide recognized and accredited qualifications for the teaching of related subjects in schools. Furthermore, it will also serve as a platform for communication and idea sharing among local and overseas educators of various religious and spiritual traditions.

Speech of Prof Paul Morris

Speech of Ven. Kok Kwong, President of The Hong Kong Buddhist Association (Chinese only)

Speech of Mr Mak Chi-fee, Chairman of Ching Chung Taoist Association of Hong Kong (Chinese only)

Brief Introduction of the Centre

~ End ~

For enquiries, please contact Denise Wong, HKIEd Assistant Manager (Media &
Community Relations), on 2948 6053 / 9181 4021.