Evangelization Congress in Mongolia

Cheering news from Mongolia via Fides and the blog of Fr. Peter Leung (most of which is in Chinese)

On wonderful outcome of Pope Benedict's Pentecost, 2007 letter to the Bishops, priests and Catholics of China : a healing of old breeches, new unity and a new movement of evangelization in Mongolia.

"thanks to the Pope’s Letter, the Catholics of Mongolia have been restored to communion with the Church following 20 years of misunderstandings and divisions. During the celebration of Chinese New Year, two priests of the Parish of Xiao Ba La Gai, in the diocese of Bao Tou, an important Mongolian city, organized the first local Evangelization Congress, from February 13-21.

Over 1,300 faithful from the area and from neighboring towns came together in a gesture of communion, in the midst of what has been a difficult and painful story for the local Catholics, with the great determination to continue on the path of restored communion, in the light of the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI. During the solemn Eucharistic Procession in the vigil of the Congress, over 2,000 faithful accompanied the Blessed Sacrament from the provisional chapel into the larger church.

In the past, the community had lived glorious historical moments in its evangelization, that dates back to the 1300-1400s, with innovative developments in the 19th century, thanks to the Scheut missionaries (CICM). Unfortunately, all was left destroyed in the cultural revolution.

When the church could re-open its doors, what one priest did, as soon as he was released from prison, was celebrate Mass in an open field under the falling snow. Since then, in the last 20 years, the life of the community has been marked by conflicts, misunderstandings, and disputes. Thanks to the prayer, the grace of the Holy Spirit, and the indications made by the Pope in his Letter, the Catholics of different communities have now united, without rancor, accusations, or reproaching.

During the First Evangelization Congress, there was a notable environment of love and communion. As one elderly leader of a local group said, “now the Church is united again. I can finally return to the Father’s House with my conscience clear and without rancor.”

Praise God. Such news - of reconciliation between Christians who suspected and distrusted one another, of renewed faith and hope, and new energy for common mission - makes your heart sing.