The Catholic Church expressed regret yesterday that a priest likened tycoon Li Ka-shing to the devil.
Breaking its silence since Father Thomas Law Kwok-fai made the remark at Halloween, the diocese issued a conciliatory statement but stopped short of an apology.
Last night Law said he would not withdraw his comments. 'I never feel regret for speaking out for the poor and the oppressed,' he said on his Facebook account. 'I obey the social teachings of the Catholic Church. I will never bow down to the unjust.'
The church said: 'The diocese expresses its regret for the displeasure caused to Mr Li Ka-shing by the 'devil' comments. Mr Li Ka-shing ... said he will continue to financially support the social service provided by Caritas Hong Kong, which is under the Hong Kong Catholic diocese.'
The statement contradicted Gerald Ma, head of corporate strategy at Li's flagship Cheung Kong (Holdings), who said he never tried to pressure the church on behalf of his boss.
In a letter to vicar general Michael Yeung Ming-cheung on November 2, Ma denied that an earlier phone conversation he had with Yeung was an attempt to exert pressure.
But the church statement said that while Ma and Li said they would not follow up the matter, they both urged the church to take action.
