Michael Yeung facts for kids
Quick facts for kids His Excellency, The Most Reverend Michael Yeung Ming-cheung |
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| Bishop of Hong Kong | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| See | Hong Kong |
| Appointed | 1 August 2017 |
| Enthroned | 5 August 2017 |
| Reign ended | 3 January 2019 |
| Predecessor | John Tong Hon |
| Successor | Stephen Chow |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Michael Yeung Ming-cheung |
| Born | 1 December 1945 Shanghai, China |
| Died | 3 January 2019 (aged 73) Canossa Hospital, Mid-Levels, Hong Kong |
| Buried | St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Residence | Hong Kong |
| Previous post |
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| Alma mater | Pontifical Urban University Syracuse University Harvard University |
| Motto | Surgite Eamus Hinc 起行伊始 (English: Arise, let us go forth from here) |
| Coat of arms |  |
| Styles of Michael Yeung Ming-cheung |
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| Reference style | His Excellency The Most Reverend |
| Spoken style | Your Excellency |
| Religious style | Bishop |
Michael Yeung Ming-cheung (Chinese: 楊鳴章; born December 1, 1945 – died January 3, 2019) was an important leader in the Roman Catholic Church in Hong Kong. He served as the eighth Bishop of Hong Kong. He was officially made a bishop on August 30, 2014.
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Early Life and Education
Michael Yeung Ming-cheung was born in Shanghai, China, in 1945. He finished his primary and secondary schooling in Hong Kong. After school, he worked for a company that imported and exported goods.
In 1972, when he was 26 years old, he decided to study theology and philosophy. He went to the Pontifical Urban University in Rome, Italy. He completed his studies there in 1978.
Becoming a Priest
On June 10, 1978, Michael Yeung was ordained as a priest for the Hong Kong diocese. After becoming a priest, he took on many different roles. These roles involved helping people and managing church activities.
Early Roles and Further Studies
From 1978 to 1980, he worked as a vicar in the Ha Kwai Chung District of the New Territories. A vicar is a priest who helps the main parish priest.
From 1980 to 1982, he went to Syracuse University in the United States. There, he earned a master's degree in social communications. This degree helped him learn how to share messages effectively.
When he returned to Hong Kong in 1982, he became the director of the office of Social Communications for the diocese. He held this job until 1986.
Parish Priest and Education Director
Next, he became the parish priest of Our Lady of Lourdes parish. He served there until 1989. After that, he was appointed chaplain at Yu C.K. Memorial College. A chaplain is a priest who works in a school or institution.
He went back to the United States in 1990 to study at Harvard University. He earned another master's degree, this time in Education (Ed.M.).
After returning to Hong Kong in 1990, he became the director of the office of education. He stayed in this important role until 2013. He also became the head of Caritas Hong Kong, which is a large Catholic charity organization. In 2009, he was also appointed vicar general of the diocese. This means he was a senior helper to the bishop.
Serving as Bishop
On July 11, 2014, Pope Francis chose Michael Yeung to become a bishop. He was named one of three Auxiliary Bishops of Hong Kong. Auxiliary bishops help the main bishop.
Becoming the Bishop of Hong Kong
He was officially made a bishop on August 30, 2014. On November 13, 2016, he was appointed the coadjutor bishop of the diocese. A coadjutor bishop is a special helper who is expected to take over as the main bishop later.
On August 1, 2017, he became the Bishop of Hong Kong. He took over from Cardinal John Tong Hon.
In June 2018, there were reports that Bishop Yeung had offered to resign. He said he wanted to focus on his work with Caritas. He later clarified that he had only suggested working for Caritas when he retired from his bishop role.
He also received two special honorary doctorates. One was from the Open University of Hong Kong, and the other was from the Australian Catholic University.
Illness and Passing
In December 2018, Bishop Yeung had an accident where he tripped and injured himself. He made his last public appearance when he led the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception that same month.
Starting December 27, 2018, Bishop Yeung received treatment for liver failure at the Canossa Hospital. He passed away on January 3, 2019, at 1:30 PM Hong Kong time, due to his illness.
After Bishop Yeung's passing, Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Tong to lead the diocese temporarily. This was until a new bishop could be chosen. Stephen Chow was later appointed Bishop of Hong Kong on May 17, 2021.
