SOCIAL AND POLITICAL FACTORS IN INDUCTION OF CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN HONG KONG

摘要

This study aims to identify social and political factors, which induced different types of Catholic churches in Hong Kong, by using the criteria of accompanied use, existence of exclusive religious space, owner, and permanency as a church. It was found population pressure and the interdependent Church and government relations induced "church and school complex," which was a permanent parish church embedded within a school building, constructed by the Church with a government subsidy. Interdependent Church and government relations also enabled the Church to use public housing estates as informal churches. Population growth also induced churches established in existing private buildings.