Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bao Tou (Fides Service) - On 25 October there was great rejoicing in Catholic community in the village of Niu Yao Zi in Tumoteyouqi, diocese of Bao Tou in Inner Mongolia, mainland China, for the inauguration of a new church in the immense Mongolian steppe lands. The solemn Mass for the re-consecration of the church was concelebrated by 8 priests from the diocese and surrounding area. More than 600 people, nuns and seminarians took part in the celebration.
The first church was opened here in 1906 after two years of construction work. In 1923 the church was enlarged to contain the growing Catholic population. It was the most beautiful church in the steppe land, a centre for evangelisation. Although the building survived natural disasters and war it had become too small and was old and unsafe. It was pulled down to make way for a new church, the dream of the local people who welcomed the suggestion of the priests and helped in every way with the building offering building materials and their own labour. Priests and laity became brick layers under the hot sun and built a new church in only two months. The new church is 20 meters long and 10 meters wide and can seat 600 people, almost the entire community.
According to the “Handbook of the Church in China 2002” published by He Bei Faith Press, the Gospel was brought to the steppe land in 1724 by French missionaries of the Paris Institute for Foreign Missions MEP, the Lazarists CM and Scheut Missionaries CICM. When the Chinese hierarchy was established Inner Mongolia was divided into 7 dioceses. Today there are more than 250,000 Catholics in the steppe lands and the Catholic community Bao Tou counts about 40,000 with 7 priests and 14 women religious. (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 327)
