THE former Roman Catholic Bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen, has been convicted and fined for his position as a trustee of a relief fund which provided support to those involved in the pro-democracy movement.

Cardinal Zen was fined alongside five others for failing to register the Humanitarian Relief Fund, which was founded to help those arrested in the 2019 demonstrations in Hong Kong against the national security law (News, 20 May, 23 September, and 25 November). Under the Societies Ordinance, a society must apply for registration or exemption from registration within one month of being set up.

The cardinal, who is 90, appeared in front of magistrates at West Kowloon Magistrates Court on Friday to hear the verdict. He had pleaded not guilty, but was not called to testify or provide witnesses. Five of those accused, including Cardinal Zen, were handed fines of HK$4000, while the fund’s former secretary Sze Ching-wee, was ordered to pay HK $2500. The relief fund is now defunct.

The defence team had challenged the Societies Ordinance, arguing that it disproportionately restricted people’s right to assembly. The magistrate said, however, that the right to assembly was not absolute; it could be restricted for reasons of national security, public safety, and social order.

Speaking to the press afterwards, Cardinal Zen described himself simply as “a Hong Kong citizen who supported this humanitarian work.

“Although I’m a religious figure, I hope this [case] won’t be associated with our freedom of religion. It’s not related,” he said.

He has been one of the most outspoken voices in the Catholic church for democracy, human rights, and religious freedom. He is critical of the relationship between the Vatican and Hong Kong, particularly the 2018 agreement between the Holy See and the Chinese government, which states that China will recommend bishops for approval by the Pope. This month, however, the Vatican accused China of installing a bishop it had not approved.

Cardinal Zen and four of the defendants were also arrested in May this year by the national security police for allegedly conspiring to collude with foreign powers. The five were released on bail and no charges have so far been brought against them regarding this allegation. If a prosecution proceeds, it would be under the National Security Law, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.