ASIA/MONGOLIA - New baptisms in Darkhan bear witness to the growth of the local Catholic Church

Ulaanbaatar (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic community in Mongolia is growing beyond the capital Ulaanbaatar. The apostolic prefecture of Mongolia announced that during the Easter Vigil Mass on 7 April 23 children and young people will be baptised into the Catholic community in the industrial city of Darkhan north of the capital.
The little community is in the care of Salesian Fr James Cheruwathur who arrived a few months ago with two confreres. These baptisms are an important fruit of pastoral activity. “When we first arrived we went out to meet the people and make contact especially with young people. The Lord did the rest ”the priest said.
The event is a sign of hope for the Catholic community in Mongolia, 370 faithful guided by Apostolic prefect Mgr Wenceslao Padilla who says “the Church is taking root in the country with new mission stations in Darkhan and Erdenet another province south east of the capital. The missionaries are increasing and they come from various parts of the world. They show the universal nature of the Church and we are very grateful to have them”.
Mgr Padilla said “Mongolia’s progressive opening to democratic values and the rest of the world is paving the way for the pastoral work and mission of the Church”. In Mongolia today there are 56 missionaries, men and women from 14 different countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 24/2/2007 righe 24 parole 247 )