Legislative Council Building. . The statement had three proposals. First, it urged the government to respect the right of freedom of assembly and speech, second, it requested both the government and the people to be rational in order to find a peaceful solution in dealing with the bill and third, it emphasized that all should learn to live in diversity so that the social spilt could be healed. The second statement was made on June 18, 2019, a day after the six religious leaders were invited to meet Carrie Lam. It made four requests. First, it requested the Chief Executive to apologize over the handling of the extradition bill, and appealed to the people to accept her apology. Second, it supported peaceful rally and denounced any form of violence. It asked the government to be more tolerant in dealing with the people who had been arrested. Third, it asked the protestors to return to their work and families, and to terminate the conflict. Finally, it urged the government to be more attentive and amenable to people’s opinions. Coincidentally, on June 18, 2018, Carrie Lam said in a press conference,

I have heard you loud and clear, and have reflected deeply on all that has transpired ... I personally have to shoulder much of the responsibility ... This has led to controversies, disputes and anxieties in society. For this I offer my most sincere apology to all people of Hong Kong.

Does Lam’s apology imply that the religious leaders successfully brought Lam to make amends? Did Lam politically use the religious leaders to persuade the people to accept her apology? If it is a yes to the second question, why are the religious leaders willing to play the assigned role designated by the government? No matter what the reasons are, the reality is that Hong Kong is not a religious society, and religious leaders do not automatically hold a prestigious status in society. Hong Kongers do not submit to authority but to truth. Cardinal Joseph Zen is respected by Hong Kongers not simply because he is a cardinal, but mainly because he has been described as “the new conscience of Hong Kong” for his defense of human rights. Hong Kongers do not accept Lam’s apology, because her apology does not include her acceptance of the five demands of the people. On July 2, 2019, the Colloquium made a third statement. It was a day after that the protestors occupied and selectively damaged the Legislative Council Building. The statement had four requests. First, it appealed to the people not to use violence and violate law and order. Second, it urged all parties to be more attentive to others. Third, it asked that no requests should contravene the welfare of Hong Kong. Fourth, it appealed to people to have open minds. On July 19, 2019, both the Catholic and Protestant representatives (the Hong Kong Christian Council of Churches) issued a joint statement. First, it requested the government to withdraw the bill. Second, it urged the government to set up an independent investigation committee. Third, it appealed to all parties to be calm. Fourth, it advised the government to take the initiative and talk to different constituencies of society. The first two requests seem to be on the side of the protestors, and therefore the joint Catholic and Protestant statement does not have support from the other four religions because the other four religions are used to complying with government policy and tare pro-establishment. Probably the Catholic and Protestant representatives are unable to persuade the other four religions to accept their joint declaration. Although the Colloquium made appeals on August 30, Oct 30 and Nov 13, these appeals condemned violence