Introduction

A Multifaceted Life Bridging Faith, Medicine, and Art

Fr. Stephen Joseph Tham Kit Chee, LC, is a multifaceted individual whose life intertwines the disciplines of medicine, bioethics, priesthood, and Chinese art. Born in Hong Kong, his journey reflects a deep commitment to faith, intellectual pursuit, and cultural expression. As a Catholic priest, medical doctor, bioethics professor, and Chinese artist, he bridges Eastern philosophy with Christian spirituality through his calligraphy, brush paintings, and seal carvings. His work, showcased in exhibitions worldwide, inspires a dialogue between tradition and faith, making him a unique voice in both religious and artistic communities.

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Biography

Early Roots in a Faith-Filled Hong Kong Family

Fr. S. Joseph Tham LC was born in 1965 in Hong Kong, where he grew up in a modest Catholic family of 5 children. He was baptized at birth and educated at St. Joseph’s College. The minority status of Christianity in Hong Kong, surrounded by Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, fostered a strong sense of his Catholic identity from a young age. As a result, he was very much aware of the need to do something for Christ in his life. In 1980, at the age of 15, his family immigrated with him to Toronto, Canada, marking the beginning of his academic and professional journey abroad.

Academic and Medical Foundations in Canada

His higher education in Canada included a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Mathematics at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Arts and Science, completing it in 1986. His passion for service led him to transitioning to medicine, he earned a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Medicine in 1990, followed by a medical internship in 1990 and worked as a family physician from 1991 to 1994. During medical school, he undertook missions to East Africa, aspiring to become a medical missionary after clearing his college debts, motivated by the dire need in regions like Tanzania where doctors were scarce.

A Spiritual Calling Amid Medical Success and Embracing Priesthood Despite Familial Resistance

During his years as a general practitioner in Toronto, Fr. Joseph felt a growing call to serve people beyond physical healing, a struggle he likened to the rich young man called by God in the Gospel. This culminated in 1994 when he visited the Legionaries of Christ seminary in Cheshire, Connecticut. He then decided to give up his medical practice and join the seminary that year. As the only son, his decision met fierce resistance from his father, who adhered to traditional Chinese values of filial piety. Despite these setbacks, he persevered in his calling during these difficult years for seminary formation.

Formation and Ordination in the Legionaries of Christ

Fr. Joseph made his first profession of religious vows in 1995, and moved to Rome, Italy to study philosophy in 1996. He earned a Bachelor of Philosophy (Summa Cum Laude) from Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in 1998. That year, he taught philosophy in New York. From 2000 to 2002, he interned at the Pontifical Catechetical Institute, Escuela de la Fe, in Mexico. He then made his perpetual religious profession in 2002. During 2001-2004, Fr. Joseph completed a Bachelor of Theology (Summa Cum Laude) from Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, and he was ordained a deacon and a priest in 2004, in Rome. Before his father’s passing during his seminary years, Fr. Joseph was allowed a visit, partially reconciling before his death, a moment to patch up that eased some family tension, with his sisters attending his priestly ordination.

Advancing Bioethics Through Academic and Spiritual Insight

Having medical knowledge, Fr. Joseph also pursued bioethics in 2002-2005. He earned a Licentiate (Master’s degree) in Bioethics (Summa Cum Laude) after ordination in 2005, and a PhD in Bioethics in 2007, defending “The Secularization of Bioethics — A Critical History” (Summa Cum Laude), which relates to the historical development of secularism and its impact on the place of theology and religious input in the field of bioethics. His doctoral dissertation was under the direction of Dr. Edmund Pellegrino, former Chairman of the President’s Council on Bioethics, at Regina Apostolorum. 

Global Influence as a Bioethics Educator and Scholar

His research explores secularism, moral relativism, pluralism and models of bioethics, reflecting his medical and spiritual insights. He joined Regina Apostolorum as a Professor in 2007 and was appointed Dean of the School of Bioethics in 2014-2017. His research focused on the deeper questions of life: suffering and death, healing and illness, and the right use of technology. He also focuses on the association between theology and bioethics, by exploring the bioethical reflection on human condition (anthropology), its ultimate end (eschatology), the ability to hope and love (spirituality, virtues), from theological perspectives of creation, idolatry, dominion, suffering, aging, sin and salvation. His teaching activities are carried out in English, Chinese, Spanish and Italian and have an impact in Europe, America and Asia. He was also a visiting professor of bioethics at the Holy Spirit Seminary College in Hong Kong (2009-2025).

Other than a professor, he is a Fellow of the UNESCO Chair in Bioethics and Human Rights. Over the past more than a decade, his Religion, Multiculturalism and Bioethics Project has brought together Christians, Buddhists, Confucians, Daoists, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, and secular ethicists in ten encounters to discuss bioethical topics. He also presents at conferences and courses. Fr. Joseph is also a prolific writer and editor of numerous articles and books, publications.

Artistic Beginnings in Chinese Cultural Heritage

Fr. Joseph Tham’s artistic journey is a deeply personal and spiritual endeavor, intricately woven into the fabric of his life, reflecting his cultural roots, faith, and intellectual pursuits. He began his artistic training at the age of 12, a pivotal moment that marked the start of his lifelong engagement with Chinese art. Under the guidance of Professor Lau Tai Po, he learned the traditional techniques of Chinese ink painting, mastering the delicate art of rendering bamboo — a symbol of resilience and virtue that would later resonate with his spiritual themes. This early exposure, rooted in his Hong Kong upbringing amidst a minority Christian context, ignited a passion that transcended mere technique, becoming a means to explore his identity and faith. 

Preserving Artistry Through Canadian Years

Yet he refused to abandon his artistic heritage after immigrating to Canada, and steadfastly preserved his artistic roots. Continuing his studies under Professor Chung Ping Kong, he embraced the Lingnan School tradition, known for its vibrant and expressive style, which further enriched his skills. During his pre-seminary years in Canada, while pursuing his education and medical career, Fr. Joseph painted and honed his craft in Chinese calligraphy under Prof. Lee Fok Hing and seal carving under Prof. Leung Chau Bak. His fascination with seal carving emerged during this period when he found commercial stamps expensive and misaligned with his artistic vision, prompting him to learn the craft himself. Additionally, recognizing calligraphy’s paramount importance in Chinese art — requiring elegance and expertise in inscribing paintings — he began improving his skills. Although his knowledge of Chinese language and culture remained limited after emigrating in Form 3, his interest in Chinese paintings spurred further self-study through books and people. Spanning from 1980 to 1994, was a time of consistent artistic practice, driven by a love for his cultural roots and a sense of "homesickness" he described as an unshakable connection to his Chinese identity. When he was asked about a teenager grown up in Western countries usually rejecting such traditional stuff, he noted, "I can’t quite explain it — besides love, there’s also a kind of nostalgia! Deep down. I feel I’m Chinese and can’t sever that root." This passion persisted even as peers engaged in typical adolescent activities like sports or dancing. Fr. Joseph asserted, "This is a hobby, a heartfelt enjoyment, not a compulsion," highlighting his intrinsic motivation.

Sacrificing Art for Spiritual Formation and Artistic Resurgence During Seminary Missions

His artistic pursuit paused significantly when he entered the novitiate of the Legion of Christ in Cheshire, Connecticut in 1994 at age 29, responding to a spiritual call. The first ten years of seminary formation, dominated by ascetic practices to purify passions, and cultural disconnect with American and Italian formators who did not understand Chinese art, led him to set aside his artistic pursuits. He lamented, "When I joined the seminary, I had to give up my biological family, any future family I might have, and my profession, but the hardest part for me was giving up my art." This hiatus persisted through his ordination as a priest in 2004. Before that, he only occasionally painted for requirements due to practical reasons, such as during his seventh year (2000-2001) on a mission in Mexico. There, his director approved an exhibition to raise funds for his apostolate in a catechetical school. He used mostly pre-seminary works but also inspiring new pieces, marking a brief resurgence.

Struggles and Reflections in Priestly Artistic Life

After ordination, living in Rome and teaching bioethics at Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University, Tham enjoyed more time flexibility but struggled to reclaim his artistic spark. He explained, “Even though I had more opportunities to paint, I could only create that space during the summer breaks. Creating art requires a particular state of mind, which the ancient Romans called “otium” — a relaxed carefreeness.” Around this time, his academic work on ethics and art’s aesthetic dimension, including a Bioethics Art project and philosophical writings, intersected with his art. He also began giving talks on the philosophy and techniques of Chinese painting, calligraphy, and seal carving, deepening his intellectual engagement.

Rekindling Passion Through Return to Hong Kong

Around 2008, Fr. Joseph began revisiting Hong Kong as a university professor, rekindling his artistic background through reconnecting with old Chinese friends. However, his demanding academic role limited his ability to indulge fully. The turning point came in 2019, when health concerns prompted a drastic lifestyle change. Adopting strict working hours and a better work-life balance, he resumed drawing with renewed vigor. This resurgence transformed art into a spiritual activity, undertaken during quiet moments or bursts of inspiration. He noted, “Many of my more recent pieces seem to be an extension of my increasingly profound appreciation of Chinese culture, including Confucian, Daoist, and Buddhist traditions, and their compatibility and resonance with the Christian message.” His collection grew to include hundreds of works and over a hundred stones, with a focus on landscapes, plants, and animals, reflecting his training in a specific painting school.

Revival of Art as a Spiritual Practice

Fr. Joseph’s artistic evolution deepened with his book Art for God, Artworks and Spiritual Reflections, published in 2022 by the Wofoo Foundation with Dr. Joseph Lee’s support and this work was inspired by the social unrest and the COVID-19 outbreak. This book serves as a spiritual diary, with each piece — such as “The Harmony Seal” (early 2020), symbolizing the Incarnation, and “Scrolls of Revelation,” exploring hidden beauty — accompanied by reflections on its inspiration. In 2021, he participated in the Diocesan Audiovisual Centre’s “Art for God” project, selling works to fund church development, further integrating his art with his faith. After the 2023 exhibition in Macau, the works were later collected and published through the Macao Catholic Culture Association.

He explained his choice of medium, stating, “Now, I use my art to try and express my love for God, my inner state, and my spirituality.” Calligraphy, the highest form of Chinese art, became a prayerful act for him: “Calligraphy is writing the word, and as Christians, we know that the Word became flesh. So the Chinese rendering of the word through calligraphy can help us reflect on how God manifests himself through the Word.” Seal carving, calligraphy, subjects of bamboo and orchids, though simpler, posed technical challenges he embraced, noting, “The simpler something is, the harder it is… When it’s simpler, it’s technically harder.”

Culmination in a Spiritual Art Legacy

Fr. Joseph chose drawing to spread his spirituality because it bridged his Chinese heritage with his Christian faith, offering a path to spiritual self-discovery. He emphasized, “My works belong to spiritual practice, not purposefully for proselyticism, but to express my relation to God and creation.” This approach revealed three layers of beauty — visual, emotional, and spiritual — aligning with former Pope Benedict XVI’s view that “artists are the guardians of beauty, capable of touching the depths of every person’s heart, awakening dreams and hope, opening horizons.” His art, exhibited globally and with more to come, reflects a harmonious dialogue between cultures, aiming to elevate the human spirit toward God.

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Past Exhibitions

• 1985-1993: Toronto, Canada – Ontario Chinese Art Society Joint Exhibition.

• 1994, 2025: Toronto, Canada – Canadian Chinese Calligraphy Association Joint Exhibition.

• 2000: Mexico City, Mexico – “Huellas de Tinta” Solo Exhibition.

• 2013: Houston, USA – Chinese Art Solo Exhibition.

• 2017: Toronto, Canada – Christian Arts Exhibition (Joint Exhibition of Chinese Martyr Saints Portraits and Catholic Religious Art).

• 2021, 2022: Hong Kong, China – "Thy Kingdom Come" Joint Art Exhibition.

• 2022: Hong Kong, China – "Art for God" Solo Exhibition.

• 2023: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – "Beauty of the Universe" Solo Exhibition.

• 2023: Macau, China – “Art for God: Artworks and Spiritual Reflections” Solo Exhibition.

• 2024: Rome, Italy – “Art for God” Solo Exhibition.

• 2024: Toronto, Canada – "Art for God: Artworks and Spiritual Reflections" Solo Exhibition.

• 2024: Seoul, Korea – "Art for God" Exhibition at the 18th AFCMA Congress.

• 2025: Singapore – “Close Brush with God” Exhibition in CANA The Catholic Centre