Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ulan Bator (Fides Service) - Catholics, other Christians and non Christians gathered to offer a warm welcome to the new Papal Nuncio to Korea and Mongolia Archbishop Paul Tscherrig, who recently paid a visit to the small Catholic community in Mongolia of about 150 souls.
It was his first visit to the country and the Nuncio found a lively Catholic community of prayer, actively involved in works of charity and preparing to celebrate with joy and hope the Nativity of Christ. People from all three of the city’s parishes, and many non Christians anxious to see the special visitor, the Pope’s ambassador, crowded into Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Ulan Bator, consecrated in August 2003 by Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.
Noting that the local Church had grown since 1992, Archbishop Tscherrig encouraged the young community to be confident and have hope for the future. After years of Communism people are rediscovering spirituality and many ask to know more about Jesus Christ, announced by the Church. Proof of this, he said, is the steady flow of young people and adults asking to embrace the faith.
Archbishop Tscherrig met the civil authorities who voiced esteem for the Catholic Church and its activities to promote human, spiritual and social development. The President of Mongolia Natsagii Bagabandi said the people of his country are grateful to the Catholic Church especially for its work in the field of education and social assistance.
With regard to Christmas in Mongolia Mgr. Wenceslao Padilla, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar told Fides “although in Mongolia 25 December is not kept as a holiday it is a working day, the Catholic community always celebrates with joy and celebrations culminate with Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, after work times so can everyone attend. Christmas is also an opportunity to evangelise among non believers who are warmly invited to Christmas parties and initiatives”.
As part of preparations for Christmas the local Church organises special meetings for school children, adults, the homeless, catechists groups and animators and also for prisoners in prisons. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 17/12/2004 righe 34 parole 357)
