Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ulaanbaatar (Agenzia Fides) – Among the priorities for the Church in Mongolia is “the creation of a global Catholic education system.” This is what Agenzia Fides has learned in an interview with Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar.
The Church would like to give a second wind to the Catholic education in the nation and, in its long-term planning, create an institute “that can accompany children in their growth from elementary school to college,” the Apostolic Prefect explained. “It is a very important step for the Church in Mongolia,” Bishop Padilla told Fides, “for various reasons: first of all, because catholic education contributes to the change of mentality that is needed in order for the Church in Mongolia to take root and grow; secondly, many students who are obliged to seek their higher education studies in other countries could remain in their homeland and continue giving back to the local community; and lastly, for the Church in Mongolia that, with its nearly 500 faithful, is still very dependent on missionaries.”
The Catholic Church currently runs several elementary schools and kindergartens, however the goal is to work on building institutions of higher education. Among the congregations active in the area of education are the Salesians, who run a professional school in Ulaanbaatar and have plans to start a new elementary school.
Bishop Padilla also mentioned another important event to Fides: the upcoming entrance of the first seminarian of Mongolian origin, in the seminary of Daejeon (South Korea). Enkh Baatar, 21 years of age, has a degree in Biotechnology from the International University of Ulaan Baatar. He discerned his vocation thanks to the guidance of Bishop Padilla and other priests, members of the Scheut Missionary Congregation present in the country. On March 2, he will officially enter the Daejeon Major Seminary, which was chosen for its close vicinity to Mongolia and for the quality of the formation it offers. “The entire Church in Mongolia hopes that this young man may continue his studies, be strengthened in the faith, and reach the priesthood. It would be a historical step for the local Church, which anxiously awaits the ordination of the first Mongolian priest in its history,” Bishop Padilla concluded. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/2/2009)
