Stephen Chow Sau-yan was born on 7 August 1959 in Hong Kong. He took a degree and a master's in psychology at the University of Minnesota, entered the Society of Jesus on 27 September 1984, and did his novitiate and philosophy studies in Ireland before theology in Hong Kong, where he was ordained a priest on 16 July 1994. He added a master's in organizational development from Loyola University of Chicago and a doctorate in human development and psychology (Ed.D.) from Harvard University (2000–2006), and made his perpetual vows on 17 April 2007.
From 2007 he was supervisor of the two Jesuit Wah Yan colleges in Hong Kong and Kowloon, an honorary assistant professor at the University of Hong Kong (2008–2015), and from 2009 chair of the Education Commission of the Jesuit Chinese Province. From 1 January 2018 he served as Provincial of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus. Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Hong Kong on 17 May 2021, filling a see vacant since the death of Bishop Michael Yeung on 3 January 2019; he was consecrated on 4 December 2021.
In April 2023 Chow visited the Archdiocese of Beijing, meeting Bishop Joseph Li Shan and visiting the Zhalan cemetery, where Matteo Ricci is buried — the first visit to Beijing by a Bishop of Hong Kong since 1985. Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 30 September 2023, assigning him the titular church of San Giovanni Battista de La Salle, and he is a member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
A bridge must be stepped over by people, so that it can bring people to the other side.
We see our trip on April 17 as a bridging one on the diocese level, between Beijing and Hong Kong. The more outstanding fruits of the trip included personal connection between the leadership of the two dioceses and the rekindling of collaboration in different areas.
It is clear that the proclamation of Matteo Ricci as venerable was widely welcomed. And we are praying for his beatification and canonization, which will certainly be joyfully applauded in China.
So, I think that it is better not to jump to a conclusion regarding sinicization for now. It should be more helpful to hold further dialogue on the topic.
Our diocese will remain committed to our different pastoral works, and continue our local mission in education and social services to the different sectors of our social community.
I think the appointment as cardinal will strengthen the role of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong as a bridging church, to promote exchanges and interactions between mainland China and the universal Church.
Major Works & Initiatives
Understanding Moral Culture in Hong Kong Secondary Schools (doctoral dissertation)
Ed.D. dissertation at Harvard University, on relationships among moral norm, moral culture, academic achievement motivation and empathy in Hong Kong secondary schools.
Supervisor of the Wah Yan Colleges
Supervisor of the Jesuit Wah Yan colleges on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon from 2007 until his appointment as bishop in 2021.
Provincial of the Chinese Province of the Society of Jesus
Provincial superior of the Jesuits' Chinese Province from 1 January 2018 to 2021.
Member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue
Appointed to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue after his creation as cardinal on 30 September 2023.
Controversies
Beijing visit and the Vatican–China agreement
Chow's April 2023 Beijing visit and his public defence of the Holy See's provisional agreement with China on bishop appointments — he said in May 2023 that the agreement was 'not dead' despite unilateral Chinese installations of bishops — have drawn criticism from Catholics who fear the agreement compromises the Church, while Chinese state media have praised him as a 'bridge-builder'. Chow presents his approach as dialogue: Hong Kong's diocese, he says, was missioned by Pope John Paul II to be a 'bridge church'.