Tirana (Fides Service) - "He is an Archbishop who loves his people and who is deeply loved by the flock entrusted to his care", say the people of Durazzo-Tirana archdiocese in Albania, about their Archbishop Rrok Mirdita, who will celebrate the 10th anniversary of his episcopal ordination tomorrow 26 April. The Archbishop was ordained with three other Bishops by Pope John Paul II in April 1993 during the history making papal visit which marked a turning point for the Church and the country.
For fifty years the Catholic community had suffered persecution and ferocious repression at the hands of the Communist regime which tried to stifle faith in Jesus Christ, arresting, torturing and killed priests and lay persons, destroying churches and holy pictures, burning holy books, banning any kind of public religious manifestation. The oppression suffered by the Church in Albania was complex, profound and continued and it consisted in the total negation of its merits and contribution in favour of Albania's language, literature, education and culture. The generation that lived under the dictatorship kept the deposit of faith and prayer remaining anchored to the pre-Council practice of the faith in catechesis and liturgy, today lives the season of new evangelisation in the light of the Second Vatican Council.
Archbishop Mirdita was kind enough to answer a few questions put by Fides Service:

Ten years after that history making visit, what did it mean for Albania?
The visit by the Holy Father ten years ago marked the rebirth of the Catholic Church which had been almost completely annihilated by the Communist regime. The arrival of the Pope began a new era in which churches were re-consecrated, bishops were ordained, the hierarchy was re-established and the Church was able gradually to return to life. But the visit by John Paul II was not only this: his presence, his words, his charisma instilled a new spirit which enabled the Church in Albania in a very short time to take large steps forward. In fact thanks to the visit of the Holy Father, his inspiration, his call to missionaries the world over, a miracle was possible, and today we see it: a lively, fervent community, a Church which walks and which has grown enormously in just ten years.

What have been the most important changes in the Church and in society in Albania over the past ten years?
Missionaries from many different countries, especially from Italy, priests, nuns, laity of various institutes and movements offered an enormous contribution providing basic structures such as churches, seminaries, formation houses and opening schools, hospitals, social works and they gave decisive impulse to the growth of the Albanian Church. We are truly grateful to all who helped us and continue to do so. If the Church in Albania today is strong - not only in the strictly religious sense but also in society by which it is recognised and esteemed - it is thanks to this pastoral and social activity.

What are the main challenges facing the Albanian Church today?
The challenges are several, because we are living a time of transition which will lead to lasting stability of the Church. We still have to build a number of churches, because the Church is rapidly becoming the "church of the people"; special attention must be given to catechesis and liturgy in Albanian: we still do not have all the necessary texts because we lack people theologically prepared to translate with appropriate terminology. Another urgent necessity is good formation for young priests and care for new vocations, supplying everything necessary for the apostolate and evangelisation.
Moreover it will be important to give special attention to education in which the Church is already committed, using well trained personnel who can contribute to the growth of cultural growth for all Albanians who have been isolated and penalised for many years.

How can the Church contribute towards the development of the country?
The Church is making a considerable contribution to the moral and civil growth of the country by nourishing young people and intellectuals, who are the foundation of society tomorrow, with Christian values. Perhaps it is a little early to see visible fruits, but the Church is listened to and esteemed by the government, by our Orthodox brothers and sisters and by large sectors of society. Our missionaries work hard without expecting anything in return, giving what they have for the moral growth and development of the Albanian people who have suffered so much, limited in thought and action.

What are the prospects and hopes for the Albanian Church and society?
We are very happy with what we have and there are several reasons for being optimistic, looking especially at our young people: they are very interested in religion, the respond eagerly to the calls of the Church and its leaders, they strive to live the faith seriously. This offers encouraging prospects and hope. This generation can give a new face and new spirit to Albanian society. PA (Fides Service 25/4/2003 EM lines 62 Words: 721)