Short History of the Catholic Church in Mongolia where Pope Francis makes his Historic Visit in September
Pope Francis is traveling to Mongolia, which is a landlocked country in East Asia, bordered by Russia to the north and China to the south. It covers an area of 1,564,116 square kilometres (603,909 square miles), with a population of just 3.3 million, making it the world's most sparsely populated state. Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city, is home to roughly half of the country's population.
On July 10, 1992 , Father Gilbert Sales, a 60-year-old Filipino priest and missionary of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM) was the first to bring the Catholic faith to Mongolia. His order, also called "Scheut Missionaries" after the name of the Belgian place where the Congregation was founded - goes back to the beginnings of the Catholic presence in Mongolia, which was revived in the early 1990s. Pope Francis< apostolic visit to this vast country of Central Asia (from September 1 to 4) sees, in thirty years, increase to 1 500 baptized, and consolidated by parishes, schools, educational and social works. They are distributed in eight parishes and a chapel. The faithful are served by one bishop, 25 priests, including two Mongolians, six seminarians, 30 women religious, five non-priestly religious men, 35 catechists, all belonging to some 30 different nationalities.
Religion Statistics from Mongolia (2020[2]) 51.7% Buddhism 40.6% No religion 3.2% Islam 2.5% Shamanism 1.3% Christianity 0.7% Others
Christianity, in its Nestorian form, reached Central Asia, Mongolia and China as early as the 7th century and initially had a major impact on the Mongols in the Middle Ages. (Updated Excerpt) Roman Catholicism was introduced in the 13th century, during the Mongol Empire. According to the testimony of the Italian Franciscan friar Giovanni di Pian del Carpine, who was sent by Pope Innocent IV to the court of the Khan in 1245, the ancient imperial capital Karakorum was a cosmopolitan and multi-religious city, and Nestorians were present there.
The first Catholic missionary allowed to enter the territory was the French Dominican priest Barthélémy de Crèmone, who arrived in Karakorum in 1253 during a diplomatic mission on behalf of the King of France.
Christianity disappeared with the ending of Mongol dominance in the Far East, and reappeared when missionary activity began in China in the mid-19th century.
In 1922, Pope Pius XI erected the Mission “sui iuris” (“Mission in its own right”) of Outer Mongolia. Its territory covered the current Republic of Mongolia, and was taken in part from the territory of the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Mongolia, in China (currently, Diocese of Chongli-Xiwanzi), renamed in 1924 as the Mission “sui iuris” of Urga. However, after turmoil and various historical-political events, in the era of communism with Soviet characteristics, all experiences with the Christian faith had disappeared, and there were no churches or believers in the country.
Christianity, in its Nestorian form, reached Central Asia, Mongolia and China as early as the 7th century and initially had a major impact on the Mongols in the Middle Ages. (Updated Excerpt) Roman Catholicism was introduced in the 13th century, during the Mongol Empire. According to the testimony of the Italian Franciscan friar Giovanni di Pian del Carpine, who was sent by Pope Innocent IV to the court of the Khan in 1245, the ancient imperial capital Karakorum was a cosmopolitan and multi-religious city, and Nestorians were present there.
The first Catholic missionary allowed to enter the territory was the French Dominican priest Barthélémy de Crèmone, who arrived in Karakorum in 1253 during a diplomatic mission on behalf of the King of France.
Christianity disappeared with the ending of Mongol dominance in the Far East, and reappeared when missionary activity began in China in the mid-19th century.
In 1922, Pope Pius XI erected the Mission “sui iuris” (“Mission in its own right”) of Outer Mongolia. Its territory covered the current Republic of Mongolia, and was taken in part from the territory of the Apostolic Vicariate of Central Mongolia, in China (currently, Diocese of Chongli-Xiwanzi), renamed in 1924 as the Mission “sui iuris” of Urga. However, after turmoil and various historical-political events, in the era of communism with Soviet characteristics, all experiences with the Christian faith had disappeared, and there were no churches or believers in the country.
"Arriving there and sowing the Gospel again, with simplicity, patience and charity, was an extraordinary moment, an experience that will remain in my heart forever", says the Filipino missionary today. In addition to Father Gilbert Sales, the other two pioneers were the Belgian confrere Robert Goessens and the Filipino missionary Wenceslao Padilla, who died in 2018 and would later become the first Apostolic Prefect of Mongolia.
The presence of the three missionaries who arrived in Mongolia in 1992 was the first step in what they themselves called "a rebirth". The international political context had changed, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the new government in Ulaanbaatar showed a desire to re-establish relations with the Holy See, which agreed to establish diplomatic relations, with a contextual agreement to send missionaries to the country. "When the Holy See announced its willingness to found a mission in Mongolia, we were thrilled: it seemed like a new opportunity and a new call from God. In fact, as early as the beginning of the 19th century, the Scheut missionaries had the intention of establishing a community in Mongolia", project later abandoned because of the war. "
"To encourage ourselves, we read every day the passage from the Gospel where Jesus says: 'Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them'. This helped us to draw strength and to be sure of his providence at all times," he reports. "It must be said that we received the greatest support and courtesy from the Mongolian government. They even received us with all honors at the airport. Thanks to the help and mediation of an officer who spoke French (communication was a challenge), we managed to rent a small apartment to settle in".
"We celebrated Mass in a room of the house that was used as a chapel. Some Catholic ambassadors and staff from Western embassies began attending Mass, bringing local people who were interested. That was the first form of evangelization, a Eucharistic mission: Jesus gave himself to the people and also offered himself to the Mongolians," explains Father Sales. The mission continued thanks to informal contacts and those who responded to the "Come and See" invitation. "We welcomed everyone with a smile and a lot of joy. People came to us and asked us why we believed and asked more questions about Jesus himself. We welcomed the first Mongolian churchgoers. We never lacked in trust in God, who showed us his love every day and acted, touching hearts," notes the missionary.
This is how the first social and charitable initiative of the new missionaries was born: a center for street children set up under the direction of Father Sales on the ground floor of a building in the capital. It is the "Verbist Care Centre" which officially opened in 1995 as a care facility. "These children and young people began to accept our offer to change their lives. We gave them care, attention and love. They came from families that were characterized by alcoholism and violence. With us they began to recover the dimension of defenseless little ones in need of affection". The Center provided food, shelter, medical care and an educational path that enabled the youth to reintegrate into society. "Many have now completed their studies, are working full-time and are fathers. I am still in touch with some of them. They are infinitely grateful for the help, which was life-changing for them. I always tell them to praise God with us." , says Father Sales.
The testimony of the missionaries eventually also attracted the Mongolian citizens: "We began to celebrate the first baptisms. I still remember the emotion of the first baptized child, a Mongolian boy who was adopted by a British couple and was named Peter.
Gradually, thanks to the support of the Holy See and benefactors
from all over the world, the small Church in Mongolia is enriched with pastoral and social works and experiences, with the presence of new communities of religious and nuns.
"Wenceslao Padilla, who was in charge of the mission, immediately had a universal perspective and wanted to call congregations from all over the world, each with their own charism, to contribute to the mission in the borderless country of Central Asia. Many religious orders responded positively and new missionaries, religious and nuns began to arrive from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America and helped found parishes, vocational schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly, clinics, homes for victims of domestic violence and kindergartens, often set up in suburbs where there were no basic services, and which primarily benefited poor people and destitute families".
"After about ten years, a Catholic pastoral center was set up and then the first church was built, today's Ulaanbaatar Cathedral, which was consecrated in 2002. Our Bishop Padilla (Prefect Apostolic since 2002) said it was necessary to have a structure and a church to give the country, the authorities and the people the idea of a stable presence and to say: we are here in Mongolia and we want to stay, we are not uncertain or ephemeral, we want to be with you forever, like the love of God, which never perishes," continues the Scheut missionary.
On the occasion of the visit of Pope Francis, he now returns to the country with great gratitude. He will be able to meet and see again many of the Mongolian believers who remember him fondly. To the community in which he left a piece of his heart, he will say: "Go ahead with patience. The Spirit blows when and where it wants and it bears fruit. Allow the grace of God to guide your steps. The Lord has done great things and will do great things: let us sing the Magnificat together". (Edited from Agenzia Fides, Vatican News and Wikipedia)
Image Pixabay - Mongolian girl in Traditional clothing (not clothing from everyday in Mongolia)
The presence of the three missionaries who arrived in Mongolia in 1992 was the first step in what they themselves called "a rebirth". The international political context had changed, with the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the new government in Ulaanbaatar showed a desire to re-establish relations with the Holy See, which agreed to establish diplomatic relations, with a contextual agreement to send missionaries to the country. "When the Holy See announced its willingness to found a mission in Mongolia, we were thrilled: it seemed like a new opportunity and a new call from God. In fact, as early as the beginning of the 19th century, the Scheut missionaries had the intention of establishing a community in Mongolia", project later abandoned because of the war. "
"To encourage ourselves, we read every day the passage from the Gospel where Jesus says: 'Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I with them'. This helped us to draw strength and to be sure of his providence at all times," he reports. "It must be said that we received the greatest support and courtesy from the Mongolian government. They even received us with all honors at the airport. Thanks to the help and mediation of an officer who spoke French (communication was a challenge), we managed to rent a small apartment to settle in".
"We celebrated Mass in a room of the house that was used as a chapel. Some Catholic ambassadors and staff from Western embassies began attending Mass, bringing local people who were interested. That was the first form of evangelization, a Eucharistic mission: Jesus gave himself to the people and also offered himself to the Mongolians," explains Father Sales. The mission continued thanks to informal contacts and those who responded to the "Come and See" invitation. "We welcomed everyone with a smile and a lot of joy. People came to us and asked us why we believed and asked more questions about Jesus himself. We welcomed the first Mongolian churchgoers. We never lacked in trust in God, who showed us his love every day and acted, touching hearts," notes the missionary.
This is how the first social and charitable initiative of the new missionaries was born: a center for street children set up under the direction of Father Sales on the ground floor of a building in the capital. It is the "Verbist Care Centre" which officially opened in 1995 as a care facility. "These children and young people began to accept our offer to change their lives. We gave them care, attention and love. They came from families that were characterized by alcoholism and violence. With us they began to recover the dimension of defenseless little ones in need of affection". The Center provided food, shelter, medical care and an educational path that enabled the youth to reintegrate into society. "Many have now completed their studies, are working full-time and are fathers. I am still in touch with some of them. They are infinitely grateful for the help, which was life-changing for them. I always tell them to praise God with us." , says Father Sales.
The testimony of the missionaries eventually also attracted the Mongolian citizens: "We began to celebrate the first baptisms. I still remember the emotion of the first baptized child, a Mongolian boy who was adopted by a British couple and was named Peter.
Gradually, thanks to the support of the Holy See and benefactors
from all over the world, the small Church in Mongolia is enriched with pastoral and social works and experiences, with the presence of new communities of religious and nuns.
"Wenceslao Padilla, who was in charge of the mission, immediately had a universal perspective and wanted to call congregations from all over the world, each with their own charism, to contribute to the mission in the borderless country of Central Asia. Many religious orders responded positively and new missionaries, religious and nuns began to arrive from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America and helped found parishes, vocational schools, orphanages, homes for the elderly, clinics, homes for victims of domestic violence and kindergartens, often set up in suburbs where there were no basic services, and which primarily benefited poor people and destitute families".
"After about ten years, a Catholic pastoral center was set up and then the first church was built, today's Ulaanbaatar Cathedral, which was consecrated in 2002. Our Bishop Padilla (Prefect Apostolic since 2002) said it was necessary to have a structure and a church to give the country, the authorities and the people the idea of a stable presence and to say: we are here in Mongolia and we want to stay, we are not uncertain or ephemeral, we want to be with you forever, like the love of God, which never perishes," continues the Scheut missionary.
There was finally the first vocation of a young Mongolian to the priesthood, and in the meantime the work of local catechists and volunteers was initiated and consolidated, and parishes were opened. Father Gilbert Sales left Mongolia in 2005 - called by his congregation to another ministry in the Philippines - when the Mongolian Catholic community numbered over 300 believers and the mission expanded beyond the capital, Ulaanbaatar.
Image Pixabay - Mongolian girl in Traditional clothing (not clothing from everyday in Mongolia)
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