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Gospel Saints Papal Teaching Congregation Pontifical Mission Societies Urban University Mission texts Animation Statistics From the Holy See Testimonies Martyrology Jubilee 2000 Church life Missionaries Religious institutes Movements & Associations Catholic universities Culture History Art Cinema / Photo Radio & tv Music Poetry Health Technology Geography News 360° Dossier In-depth study Interviews Stories Book review Children’s corner		“THAT CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES OF CENTRAL ASIA WHO LIVE AMONG PEOPLE OF OTHER RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, MAY BE COMMITTED TO SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM THROUGH ACTIVE TESTIMONY OF THE FAITH” Comment by Metropolitan Archbishop Thaddeus Kondrusiewicz of the Catholic Archdiocese of the Mother of God in Moscow Vatican City (Fides Service) – Central Asia, formed of Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, is a vast territory of about 4 million square kilometres, with a total population of 49 million. Although Muslims are the majority in the region, 83%, for many centuries Christians, mainly Orthodox but also Catholics and Protestants (11%), have lived, prayed and worked side by side with the followers of Islam. Kazakstan is the country with the largest number of Christians (Christians 15% Muslims 38%) and there is an Orthodox archdiocese and a Catholic archdiocese. In the other countries of the region the Catholic Church is present with missions sui iuris. Central Asia is famous for its ancient eastern culture as well as its history, rich but also tragic. The different peoples and religions of this region for three generations were dominated by a policy of forced “internationalism” and militant atheism which left in its wake a spiritual void. . This situation, together with difficult process of re-birth in national independence and self-awareness, must be taken into consideration when speaking about the preaching of the Kingdom of God. Spiritual re-birth began at the end of the 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s of the last century, although with much difficulty due first of all to the recent past of atheism, a scarcity of priests, religious men and women, catechists, well prepared laity, lack of religious publications, churches, media, and due to poor social conditions etc. Nevertheless it made progress although with alternating success in different areas. In the spiritual rebirth of the peoples of central Asia, Christianity has a special role to play. History shows that the Muslim world in this region welcomes Christianity, shows understanding and is willing to engage in active collaboration. Many state universities have opened their doors to Catholic professors. The work of Christian institutions and charity centres is gratefully appreciated by society, as one of the most effective ways to promote spiritual and cultural development and the enrichment of society. In this framework we cannot fail to mention Pope John Paul II’s historical visit to Kazakstan in 2001. It was the fulfilment of a dream for the Catholics of that country and also gave Catholics in neighbouring countries an opportunity to meet the Pope. The visit was truly a celebration. Kazakstan, not so long ago a land of exile and gulag, was celebrating the rebirth of democracy and faith, religious freedom, and tolerance. Something similar is happening today. In fact, this month Kazakstan, the capital Astana for the first time a post-Soviet space will host an international meeting of leaders and representatives of various religions. As small minorities, what can the Christian communities in central Asia do to promote the planting and growth of the Kingdom of God? For society which has inherited from the atheist regime a whole lot of problems connected with indifferentism and difficult social situations, the example of Christian life is most important. Most applicable here are the words written by Pope Paul VI in his exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi: “men and women today listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers and if they do listen to teachers it is because they are witnesses” (41). For those who have never heard the Good News, who have no belief or belong to non Christian religions, Christians living according to the spirit of the Gospel become living pages and witnesses. Universities, schools, factories, the streets, society in all its manifestations, form new areopagus where, precisely thanks to Christian witness, it is possible to preach the Kingdom of God along with the values of reciprocal respect and religious tolerance. History shows that people of other religions welcome with joy and gratitude, the testimony of Christians, particularly in their charitable undertakings. By helping the needy, whatever their nationality or religious belief, we help everyone realise that we are all brothers and sisters, created by the one, same Creator. Unconditioned and active charity, accompanied by Christian witness, dissolves the barriers built by incredulity: it is a creative force which builds up the family of God, that is his Kingdom. Archbishop Thaddeus Kondrusiewicz (Fides Service 1/9/2003 EM lines 55 Words: 743)

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