kids encyclopedia robot

Michael Yeung facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Michael Yeung Ming-cheung
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 (1945-12-01)1 December 1945
Shanghai, China
Died 3 January 2019(2019-01-03) (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
  • Vicar General of the Diocese of Hong Kong (2009–2016)
  • Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong (2014–16)
  • Titular Bishop of Mons in Numidia (2014–16)
  • Coadjutor Bishop of Hong Kong (2016–17)
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 {{{coat_of_arms_alt}}}
Styles of
Michael Yeung Ming-cheung
Coat of arms of Michael Yeung Ming Cheung.svg
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.

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.

kids search engine
Michael Yeung Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.