| To set up a body corporate under the name of The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia and to provide for the constitution, powers, duties, work and activities of The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia. (Enacted 1996) [2 January 1997] L.N. 562 of 1996 (Originally 64 of 1996) Cap 1163 s 1 Short title (1) This Ordinance may be cited as The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia Ordinance. (2) (Omitted as spent) (Enacted 1996) Cap 1163 s 2 Interpretation In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires- "Cathedral Church" (大教堂) means the "Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Luke the Evangelist" provided for under section 10; "Cathedral Council" (大教堂议会) means the council of the Cathedral Church provided for under section 10; "certified public accountant (practising)" (执业会计师) has the meaning assigned to it in the Professional Accountants Ordinance (Cap 50); (Replaced 23 of 2004 s. 56) "Chancellor" (教长) means the clergyman appointed by the Metropolitan provided for under section 8; "Executive Committee" (行政委员会) means the officers of the Metropolitan Council provided for under section 9; "financial year" (财政年度) means each period of 12 months ending on 31 March; "Metropolitan" (教区大主教) means the administrator of the Metropolitan Archdiocese provided for under section 7; "Metropolitan Archdiocese" (地域教区) means "The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia" incorporated under section 3; "Metropolitan Council" (教区议会) means the body of individuals comprised of clergy and laity provided for under section 8. (Amended 23 of 2004 s. 56) (Enacted 1996) Cap 1163 s 3 Incorporation (1) The Metropolitan Archdiocese shall be a body corporate under the corporate name of "The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia" in English and "香港及东南亚正教会" in Chinese. (2) The Metropolitan Archdiocese- (a) has perpetual succession under its corporate name; (b) has and may use a seal; and (c) is capable of suing and being sued in its corporate name. (Enacted 1996) Cap 1163 s 4 The Orthodox Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and South East Asia (1) An independently administered Metropolitan Archdiocese is established for the region of Hong Kong and South East Asia. The Metropolitan Archdiocese is under the canonical jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. (2) Hong Kong shall be the See of the Metropolitan Archdiocese. The "Saint Luke Orthodox Church of Hong Kong" presently constituted in Hong Kong as a society under the laws of Hong Kong shall henceforth be known as the Cathedral Church of the Metropolitan Archdiocese under the title "Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Luke the Evangelist". (3) All baptised Orthodox Christians residing in Hong Kong and all the countries of South East Asia shall constitute the membership of the Metropolitan Archdiocese. Together they comprise a complete ecclesiastical unit. (Enacted 1996) Cap 1163 s 5 Purposes of the Metropolitan Archdiocese The mission of the Metropolitan Archdiocese shall be to respond to the various spiritual needs of the Orthodox faithful, in conformity with the Orthodox Christian faith and its canonical order, and to advance Orthodoxy within the broader region of South East Asia. Within this context the Metropolitan Archdiocese shall- (a) concern itself with the necessary spiritual edification of the Orthodox faithful, through the use of all legal and canonical means in each country for the preservation and propagation of the Orthodox spiritual heritage; (b) pursue all necessary means and conditions for the regular participation of all Orthodox faithful in the Liturgical and Sacramental life of the Orthodox Church; (c) in cooperation with the other Christian Churches and religions in the region, assist and encourage its Parishes in pursuing all social activities intended for the common good. (Enacted 1996) Cap 1163 s 6 Powers of the Metropolitan Archdiocese In order to accomplish its spiritual mission and in support of the ministry pursued by the Metropolitan Archdiocese and its Parishes, the Metropolitan Archdiocese may- (a) acquire, hold and administer real and assumed property, received through donations and all other legal sources and means, estates, purchases, investments, stocks, funds, shares or securities of any government, always for the benefit of the Metropolitan Archdiocese; (b) pursue and enter into any and all legal contracts as permitted by law with the requirement that such contracts serve the immediate or long term purposes of the Metropolitan Archdiocese; (c) hold, care for, develop and administer, for the benefit of the Metropolitan Archdiocese and its Parishes any property and land, belonging to the Orthodox Parishes and affiliate organizations, within the region of the Metropolitan Archdiocese and for whatever reason abandoned or bequeathed to the Metropolitan Archdiocese; |
