ASIA/TAJIKISTAN - “Thank you for your words of encouragement and enthusiasm as Vicar of Christ, the ‘rock’ on which we can stand firm” says Superior of Catholic mission in Tajikistan

Dushanbe (Fides Service) - “Beloved Holy Father, just as we loved John Paul II the ‘Great’ all through his pontificate and for whom we offered our prayers and sacrifices, at this time of grace for the universal Church this little Catholic community here in Tajikistan is already learning to love you and is praying for your intentions”. This is the message sent to Pope Benedict XVI through Fides by Fr. Carlos Avila IVE, Superior of the Catholic Mission in Tajikistan. Fr Carlos said the mission staff immediately shared the news of the Pope, his first words and homilies with the local Catholics and other interested people. The mission received many messages of good wishes for the new Pope, remarking on his “warmth”. Fr Carlos concluded is message as follows “Thank you for your words of encouragement and enthusiasm as Vicar of Christ, the ‘rock’ on which we can stand firm”. Created on 29 September 1997, the territory of the Catholic Mission in Tajikistan has a population of 6,155,000 of whom only 245 are Catholics. (R.Z.) (Agenzia Fides 27/4/2005, righe 13, parole 193)