Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Almaty (Agenzia Fides) - "The Pope's visit to Kazakhstan is great news for all of us, truly Good News, which helps us to understand even better the meaning and mission of our presence in Kazakhstan and the value of our faith in the world. Let us ask the Lord that the special time of the next few days may be a fruitful time for us, so that we can deepen our vocation to follow Christ Jesus, Prince of Peace", said José Luis Mumbiela Sierra, Bishop of the Holy Trinity in Almaty, city of Kazakhstan, and President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Central Asia, on the eve of the arrival of Pope Francis, who will be in Kazakhstan from 13 to 15 September.
The Spanish Bishop remarks: "The key words of this visit, 'Messengers of peace of unity', not only indicate the vocation of the Christians in Kazakhstan, but also explain the meaning of the presence of the Pope, who has come here to participate in the Congress of religious leaders held in Astana every two years".
The Pope's apostolic visit has a universal significance: "The circumstances in which the world finds itself, between the pandemic, the war, the fear of an escalation of the world conflict - adds Msgr. Mumbiela Sierra - make it clear that this is not just a simple pastoral visit to a small community of believers: the presence of the Pope at the Congress not only gives great value to this meeting, but also constitutes an opportunity and a channel to speak to the whole world. If on the one hand it enhances the Kazakh government's line of action to build harmony among different ethnic groups and religions, on the other it points out to humanity that any religion, which touches on the relationship of man with God, is intended to serve as a motive for creating peace and unity in the human race. It is never a reason for conflict, but every religion is called to promote fraternity, which the Pope insists on so much, hoping for a change in the conflicting mental schemes present in today's world".
This is why, according to the bishop, "the pope's arrival in Kazakhstan is a providential moment not only for Kazakhstan, but also to launch, through Kazakhstan, a message to the whole world, to all humanity".
Looking at the local context, the Bishop notes: "We are a very small community, which lives faith in the daily grace of God. If to be messengers of peace and unity is the vocation of every Catholic and every Christian, this message rises today from Kazakhstan for all humanity: we are called and we must be bearers of peace, to live it and create it among people and in society. Having the Pope among us represents a strong impulse to rediscover the joy of our vocation, but it is also an impulse for the whole world, which starts from here, from a small community".
The Bishop concludes: "Evangelically, we can recall the image of salt which, in a few grains, makes all food tasty. Salt is also the substance used to preserve food, so that it does not deteriorate: thus Christians are called to be salt to give flavor and also so that society does not become corrupt. To be salt means to create peace and fraternity, even if we are few or invisible to the eyes of the world; it means to live our mission to bear witness and give the peace that comes from Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, to all men, even if they are different by their religion, their ideas, their culture, their ethnicity".
The Catholic Church in Kazakhstan today has four dioceses, a total of 70 parishes and 120,000 faithful. It also accomplishes its mission by working in the social, cultural and educational fields. (PA/LF) (Agenzia Fides, 12/9/2022)
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