A Hong Kong Catholic priest has called the territory’s richest man, Li Ka-shing (李嘉誠), a “devil,” weeks after the tycoon made headlines by pledging to give millions to the poor.
Father Thomas Law (羅國輝) made the remarks after a weekend Halloween party, saying Hong Kong’s property developers — not spirits — are the real demons, local media reported.
Law made the remarks in connection with growing criticism that property companies are fudging the size of residential apartment units in the densely populated city of 7 million people.
PHOTO: AFP
“If Li Ka-shing were to come tonight, that would sure scare the heck out of us,” the outspoken priest told reporters after the party.
“[He] is the true devil that kills people,” Law added.
Law could not immediately be reached for comment.
The South China Morning Post yesterday quoted Law as saying: “I have nothing to say about the incident ... But I only hope there will be more angels in Hong Kong. God hears the prayers of the poor people, but in our city the general public has no voice, while the rich people do.”
Local media reports have suggested that Li — whose companies own a wide swathe of interests, including real estate — might sue over the “devil” comments.
However, a spokeswoman for Li’s Cheung Kong (Holdings) told reporters yesterday: “We have not pressured the Church and we do not intend to sue [them].”
In a letter to the territory’s Catholic Diocese, the conglomerate’s head of corporate strategy, Gerald Ma (馬勵志), expressed his “disappointment and helplessness” over Law’s comments.
“We of course respect freedom of speech,” Ma wrote. “But all responsible people, regardless of their profession and beliefs, should be cautious with their words and deeds.”
“Like the Catholic Church, Mr Li is passionate in his support for social and charity work. We do not understand why he is subjected to this unfair humiliation,” Ma added.
“It is regretful that there are good and bad people in the church, but God still loves us all,” the letter said.
Vicar-general Michael Yeung (楊鳴章) — the second most senior official in Hong Kong’s Catholic Church — said the Church has never had negative feelings toward Hong Kong’s rich, adding that the priest should take personal responsibility for his remarks, the Singtao daily reported yesterday.
Last month, Li pledged to donate HK$500 million (US$64 million) to a government fund established to help the poor amid concern over a growing income gap.
The territory’s property tycoons have so far pledged a total of HK$1.3 billion to the Community Care Fund.
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