Mongolia: Catholics restored to communion

Pope Benedict XVI's Letter to the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China is yielding fruits in the field of evangelization all across the country. According to Faith of He Bei, 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 came together in a gesture of communion. 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. Mongolia was first evangelised in the 1300-1400s, with major developments taking place in the 19th century, thanks to the Scheut missionaries (CICM). Unfortunately, all churches were destroyed and religious communities broken up during the Cultural Revolution. Years later, when the first priest was released from prison, he celebrated Mass in an open field under 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. 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." The entire community is now "eager to listen to the teachings of the apostles, in fraternal communion, in the breaking of the bread, and in prayer" (Acts 2:42). (NZ) ( Source: Fides