“The alarming news of the May 11 arrest in Hong Kong of Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun due to his past role in administering a humanitarian fund for protestors indicates the downward trend in respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights in Hong Kong,” said Bishop David Malloy of Rockford (IL), chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace.

Praising Cardinal Zen as a “strong supporter of democracy and justice,” Bishop Malloy added that “although Cardinal Zen has been released on bail, his situation remains precarious.”