Cardinal Stephen Chow, S.J., emphasized the profound importance of reconnecting with nature as a means to enhance mental health and community well-being.
Drawing from his personal experience during a brief retreat outside of Hong Kong, Cardinal Chow highlighted how immersion in the natural world offers a unique form of restoration and integration, essential for both personal and societal health.
“My godson very thoughtfully arranged this short getaway for me. I was able to connect myself to a lake, a woodland, and a mountain in just a few short days. It was deeply soothing when I found my mind and spirit reconnected to the natural world,” Cardinal Chow said in his reflection published by Sunday Examiner.
He emphasized that nothing could replace the “integrating power of Mother Nature,” which, he noted, is likely why “God created the natural world before humankind in general.”
Cardinal Chow pointed out the growing mental health challenges faced by urban dwellers, attributing this trend to a detachment from the natural environment.
“We only need to notice a worrying increase in mental health cases among urban dwellers when they become detached from the natural world,” he warned.
He urged policymakers to prioritize the preservation of natural environments while simultaneously increasing living space for residents.
“This might mean less space for commercial development, but it might not mean less productivity per capita. By securing better mental and psychological health in the community, it is conceivable that productivity and quality of life of the residents may also increase,” he suggested.
Beyond the environmental focus, Cardinal Chow also addressed the current international perception of Hong Kong, which he believes is marred by inaccuracies.
He shared his concern that friends and acquaintances abroad have been misled into believing that Hong Kong is “unstable and unsafe for visitors” and that “civil freedom in Hong Kong is seriously restricted.”
“Sadly, according to friends and acquaintances living in foreign countries, they are informed that Hong Kong is unstable and unsafe for visitors and civil freedom in Hong Kong is seriously restricted,” Cardinal Chow observed.
He expressed uncertainty about the reasons behind these negative perceptions but asserted that they do not accurately represent the reality in Hong Kong.
To counter these misconceptions, Cardinal Chow urged people to seek firsthand experiences rather than rely solely on media narratives.
“Please come to see for yourselves what Hong Kong really is like,” he advised, extending this invitation to both leaders and laypeople within the Catholic Church.
He also encouraged Hongkongers to engage directly with others to better understand their realities, stating, “Go, meet and see. Take some rest and reflect for yourselves.”
