Cardinal Joseph Zen arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China. / Photo by Louise Delmotte/Getty ImagesRome Newsroom, Oct 27, 2022 / 08:24 am (CNA).The trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen resumed in Hong Kong on Wednesday, days after the Vatican announced the renewal of its agreement with Beijing. Prosecutor Anthony Chau Tin-hang took the floor on Oct. 26 in the West Kowloon Magistrates Court, where Zen and five other pro-democracy activists have been charged for failing to apply for local society registration for the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund between 2019 and 2021.The prosecution argued that the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund needed to be registered with the police because of its "massive" size and "systematic" mode of operation, according to the South China Morning Post.The fund helped pro-democracy protesters pay their legal fees until it dissolved itself in October 2021. Chau argued that the fund was political in na
Cardinal Joseph Zen speaks during a Mass at the Holy Cross Church on May 24, 2022, in Hong Kong, China. The cardinal was set to stand trial on Sept. 19, 2022, in connection to his role as a trustee of a pro-democracy legal fund, which he and other trustees are accused of failing to register civilly. The trial was delayed. / Photo by Louise Delmotte/Getty ImagesSt. Louis, Mo., Sep 19, 2022 / 11:51 am (CNA).The criminal trial of Cardinal Joseph Zen of Hong Kong has been delayed after the judge presiding over the case tested positive for COVID-19, Hong Kong media reported. Zen, 90, was to have stood trial beginning Monday in connection to his role as a trustee of a pro-democracy legal fund, which he and other trustees are accused of failing to register civilly. Zen is the bishop emeritus of Hong Kong, an outspoken advocate for religious freedom and democracy, and a sharp critic of the Vatican s 2018 agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops. Local media report.