As demonstrations pitting pro-government groups against pro-democracy protesters continue, a bishop urged Catholics to pray for the realization that all are humans and not “cockroaches or dogs.”

Ucanews.org reported Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ha Chishing of Hong Kong addressed a prayer gathering of some 300 people on Oct. 26 at Chater Garden in the Chinese-administered city where demonstrators continue to demand freedom and democracy.

The bishop prayed that “God can help us realize that everyone is human, not cockroaches, dogs or yellow objects,” reported Radio Television Hong Kong.

The prelate referred to slogans and statements in which pro-government groups often refer-red to protesters as “cockroaches,” while protesters called police officers “dogs.”

A senior police officer was accused of describing a protester as “a yellow object.” His comment came after a video clip that showed several officers kicking and attacking the protester.

Ha explained that the prayer meeting was not held in a church but at a public place to show that the Catholic Church cares about society. He said Hong Kong was now filled with hatred and anger. Violence can only beget more violence, but never justice, he said.