Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports:

Former Hong Kong lawmaker and lawyer Andrew Cheng Kar-foo was made a Catholic deacon at St Chad’s Cathedral in Birmingham. At 66 years old, he is starting a new life of service. He will work at St Mary’s Church in Harborne and help the growing Hong Kong Catholic community across the local diocese.

Cheng’s path to becoming a deacon began with a personal turning point. He was baptised as a student in Hong Kong, but he left his faith behind while focusing on his career as a politician and lawyer. As previous district councillor and lawmaker, he put his focus in work and was forced to put his relationship and religion aside. Years later, a hard time in his marriage led him and his wife back to church. This experience helped heal his family and brought him back to God.

After moving to the UK in 2021, Cheng felt a call to serve the Church and went back to school to study religion. He completed a Master's degree in Theological Research at KU Leuven in Belgium. In April 2023, he announced his acceptance into the Ph.D. in Theology program at Durham University, aiming to continue serving society through scholarly and pastoral work.

Now serving as a deacon, Cheng has taken on several roles. Along with his daily duties at St Mary’s Church, he helps Cantonese-speaking Catholics by leading services in their language, teaching faith classes, and visiting people in hospitals and prisons.

Cheng hopes his story inspires others, especially people who are retired or getting older. He believes retirement is a great time to start serving the community, reminding people that being a deacon is not about fame or high status, but about helping others with a humble heart.

"Do not be afraid to listen to God's call. The permanent diaconate is not about status or achievement, but about humble service. If God is calling you, He will grant you the necessary grace."

How a Hongkonger went through romantic and work hardships to become a deacon.

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