Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ulaanbaatar (Agenzia Fides) - In just 15 years of active presence, the small Catholic community of Mongolia has made great progress. With the proclamation of the Gospel and the love of God, made manifest mainly through the testimony and help of their brethren, the number of conversions and baptisms among youth and adults continues to grow. In 2008, there were about 100 baptisms, and with the baptisms scheduled for May, the total number of faithful will reach 547. This is a positive result for the first missionaries who, 15 years ago, began their missionary adventure to re-evangelize Mongolia. Among them was Father Wenceslao Padilla, CICM (Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary), a Filipino missionary that lead the missio sui iuris (in 1992) and was later appointed Apostolic Vicar of the Holy See (in 2002), and finally, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar (in 2003). Agenzia Fides has been able to ask him a few questions on the situation and perspectives of the Church in Mongolia.
Bishop Padilla, what are the roots of Christianity in Mongolia?
The first contacts Mongolia had with the Christian faith began in the 7th century, when missionaries arrived, although in sporadic moments. In the 12th and 14th century, other missionaries came to the area, such as William Rubruck and the Franciscan Giovanni da Pian del Carpine, who travelled into the heart of Asia, but without being able to do perform much active evangelization work. There were also positive influences in Mongolia from the Catholic missions in China, which were lead by great missionaries such as Giovanni da Montecorvino and Matteo Ricci. However, in the 20th century, the Communist regime tried all they could to wipe out any sign of religion from society. The true birth of the Church in Mongolia, therefore, was 15 years ago, in 1992, following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the atheist Communist regime. The evangelization effort started afresh, as nothing in terms of structures, communities, or pastoral workers had remained.
Can you tell us a brief history of the birth of the Church in recent years?
It’s beautiful, the word “rebirth.” In 1992, when the three of us arrived as missionaries (myself and two other brothers of the CICM), we never thought about “implanting the Church” ex novo, but we did want to bring the announcement of Christ once again, as we were convinced that the Lord has always been with the Mongol people who today receive the Gospel with faith and hope. We consider ourselves “collaborators of the Almighty,” establishing His Kingdom among the Mongolian people. We began a missio sui iuris, with the first activities: Holy Mass, a new Catholic structure, the testimony of the first small-scale social projects. Ten years later, in 2002, when the community had grown, the missio sui iuris became an Apostolic Vicariate, and finally, an Apostolic Prefecture, with autonomous recognition and a growing vitality, with parishes, religious communities, and faithful that form part of a united and thriving ecclesial community. Today, almost 16 years after our arrival, we could say that “the Lord has done great things for us” and has revealed His face to the land of Gengis Khan.
The new Mongolian Constitution of 1992 guarantees religious freedom. Could you tell us what are the necessary steps in reestablishing the Catholic presence?
For us, the part in the Constitution that refers to religious freedom is fundamental. At the beginning, this expression was interpreted in a partly restricted sense and only the larger religions in Mongolia - like Buddhism and Islam - were favored. However, little by little and thanks to the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and the Holy See (in 1992), the Catholic community began to gain respect and esteem from authorities and could in this way begin to expand. The missionaries began working with people in the area, but without ignoring the Christian foreigners living in Mongolia (from NGOs or embassies). We have begun to invite the people to liturgical celebrations and we have begun some social service projects. The people have begun to get to know us, and now begin to ask for more information on our faith and we have begun catechesis, and thus our first group of catechumens. That is how the community began and now those who were among the first baptized are now evangelizers and catechists, as well.
How have the inhabitants responded?
The Christian message has steadily begun to penetrate the hearts of the Mongolian people, who have for some time had a great hunger for God, for love, and for light in their lives that they have been deprived of for so long. The missionaries have also gotten the youth to participate and have worked in rehabilitation of youth and children on the streets, thus manifesting Catholic work in a visible manner. Father Gilbert Sales went to the gutters of Ulaanbaatar to help the children living in the street and we have now opened the “Verbist Caring Center” that takes care of over 120 youth. Today, there is a staff of about 30, mostly lay adults and youth of Mongolia. Other activities have also advanced thanks to the dedication of laity and religious.
Could you offer us some statistics on the current number of Catholics in Mongolia?
We have about 20 priests and 2 brothers, 40 religious, 4 lay missionaries for a total of 66 missionaries from 18 countries and 9 different religious congregations. At the end of 2008, the number of baptized will be 547, 10 of whom are foreigners. The Catholic community is not only present in the capital: there are 4 parishes and 5 non-parish churches, or “missionary centers” in the country. The most recent, begun in 2007, is the parish of Our Lady Help of Christians, in Darhan, the second largest Mongolian city in dimension, with 80,000 inhabitants.
What is the current situation of pastoral ministry?
I can see that it is advancing with great enthusiasm and vitality. The parishes have Masses, liturgies, sacraments, prayer meetings; we put on formation courses for catechumens and for adults and young people. With the youth, we place a special attention in offering instruction and formation. The Apostolic Prefecture has adopted a pastoral plan that is centered on the Word of God and the formation of small Ecclesial Base Communities. It is a three-year plan: the first year’s theme is: “The Bread of the Word” (2007-2008), the second’s is: “The Bread of the Eucharist” (2008-2009), and the third’s is: “The Bread of Charity” (2009-2010). We try to increase awareness in each member of the faithful of his own baptism and mission.
Is there a Mongolian translation of the Bible that you use?
For reading and catechesis we use a Bible in Mongolian that is published by the Christian Bible Society, which is a Protestant organization. There is still no Catholic version, but we are thinking about the possibility of beginning such a long and delicate process of translation. The Word of God certainly touches people’s hearts; it converts and consoles. The faithful truly love the Sacred Scripture.
Could you tell us a bit about the celebrations of this past Easter?
For us, Easter has always been a great opportunity to offer a testimony of the faith. The parishes celebrated the Holy Week services. I visited each one of the parishes, precisely in order to make the faithful feel the closeness of their pastor. However, we must keep in mind that all the days in Holy Week are normal working days in Mongolia, so many were unable to attend the activities. One piece of good news is that we have received 80 newly baptized and another 30 will be entering the Church in May. The Church’s arms are always open, ready to receive new children.
What are you hopes and wishes for the Catholics in Mongolia?
I can tell that the community is growing in number, but also in enthusiasm as is prepares the various pastoral activities. The spirit of service, dedication, and commitment of the missionaries and lay workers is truly praiseworthy and paves a path for the Church. We certainly hope that the newly baptized remain aware of the value of their faith. May Christ, who rose from the dead, change the darkness into light in the heart of every member of the Mongolian faithful, so that they may always be open to Hope. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/4/2008; righe 116, parole 1389)
