Posted on 07/25/2021 6:30:49 PM PDT by marshmallow
As tensions rise in neighbouring Afghanistan, the local Catholic community opens a convent dedicated to Saint John Paul II. During the inauguration, the Virgin of Luján, patroness of Argentina, was carried in procession, an unusual event for Central Asia.
Buenos Aires (AsiaNews) – Tajikistan celebrated National Unity Day on 27 June. This year’s observance coincided with the opening of the country’s first Catholic monastery of contemplative life, an unusual occurrence in Central Asia.
The Virgin of Luján, patroness of Argentina, was carried on a platform during a short but meaningful procession marking the event.
The “religious family” of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE[*]) is responsible for the new monastery that bears the name of Saint John Paul II in homage to the pontiff who promoted the missions in Central Asia at a time when communism still prevented the public expression of the faith.
“This monastery is providential because it was created before the problems with Afghanistan started,” said Fr Pedro López, priest responsible for Catholics in Tajikistan, speaking to AsiaNews.
“For us,” added the clergyman, the monastery “has great meaning because nuns in the mission are praying for the fruits of the apostolates carried out where we are working. This is quite appropriate, to use plain language, at a time of conflict. This is a very great privilege.”
Four IVE nuns – originally from Uzbekistan, Paraguay and Argentina – arrived recently in Dushanbe to settle in their new home, a few metres from the St Joseph parish church, one of the only two Catholic churches in the country.
The religious sisters joined the local Catholic community, about 120 people in a country of almost nine million inhabitants, who live their faith together with Fr López, another priest (both from Argentina), and three active nuns.
(Excerpt) Read more at asianews.it ...
There were many Christians throughout central Asia before the Mongols mostly adopted Islam. Genghiz Khan’s wife was Christian. There are remnants here and there today, a large group of Thomas Christians in Kerala who date back to the first century.
This is a nice win.
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