ULANBATAAR (SE): Before the final blessing at the Sunday Mass at Ulaanbaatar’s Steppe Arena, in the capital of Mongolia, during his historic visit, Pope Francis went off-script and invited the bishop emeritus and the present bishop of Hong Kong, John Cardinal Tong Hon and Cardinal-elect Stephen Chow Sau Yan, SJ, to flank him at the altar as he spoke.
Holding their hands, he said in Italian, “These two brother bishops—the emeritus of Hong Kong and the current bishop of Hong Kong. I would like to take advantage of their presence to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people.”
“I wish the best for all the Chinese people to go forward, to always progress. And to Chinese Catholics, I ask them to be good Christians and good citizens,” the pope said.
China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday, when asked about the pope’s comments in Mongolia, that Beijing has maintained communication with the Vatican and it has taken a positive attitude toward improving relations with the Vatican.
Recalling the momentous gesture of the pope, Cardinal-elect Chow told the Sunday Examiner that “being called to the altar by Pope Francis came as a total surprise, but Pope Francis is known to be ‘a pope of surprises’. His encouragement for Chinese Catholics shows how deep he loves China. There is no doubt about his love for China, the Chinese people and Catholics in China.”
According to the bishop, over 100 Catholics from Mainland China said they would love to see the pope visit China, but they also know that he cannot. So they come to him to show him how much they love him and want to support him. “I think this is beautiful: when the pope can’t come to us, we go to him,” the bishop said.
These two brother bishops—the emeritus of Hong Kong and the current bishop of Hong Kong. I would like to take advantage of their presence to send a warm greeting to the noble Chinese people
Pope Francis
Bishop Chow believes there is a message for the government in the pope’s words for Chinese Catholics. “We want Catholics to be good citizens besides being good Catholics or Christians. The Church has no political agenda because all that the Church wants is to spread the Gospel of love, peace, dialogue and listening.”
It is the pope’s desire that Catholics love their countries and participate in the process of nation-building and development while encouraging a mutual trust between government and people, says Bishop Chow. “We honour and worship only one God. But that does not restrict or limit us to loving our country or respecting our governments. So, worshipping God is not the same as excluding or ignoring the rules and laws of the country or the needs of the country.”
In response to the pope’s invitation to Chinese citizens, Bishop Chow stated that the pope would like the governments to trust the Church by ensuring that Catholic citizens are treated as good citizens. “Therefore, respect is essential. Respect and protect them as individuals, listen to their needs, and allow them the freedom to practice their faith. Because bilateral respect helps to build trust and ultimately for the betterment of the country and religious life.”
The bishop said, “The papal visit means much to Mongolia and Mongolian Catholics. They were so encouraged, affirmed, and they feel so much loved, and in return, they love Pope Francis.” His visit gave them much energy in faith and the confidence to live more fully as Catholics. The bishop commented that their contributions to the community will certainly be a positive force to help the country.
According to Bishop Chow, another benefit of the papal visit is that Mongolians will have an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith. “Whether they become Catholics or not, that’s not the most important thing. But they are friendly toward Catholics. They are willing to work with us, to collaborate, to cooperate with us, and vice versa.”
We want Catholics to be good citizens besides being good Catholics or Christians. The Church has no political agenda because all that the Church wants is to spread the Gospel of love, peace, dialogue and listening
The apostolic prefect of Mongolia, Giorgio Cardinal Marengo, expressed his gratitude to the pope and said, “Your presence here is a source of deep emotion, difficult to express in words, since this was the first time the Sucessor of Peter had celebrated a Mass in the nation.” Cardinal Marengo is the youngest cardinal, appointed by the pope just a year ago.
Bishop Chow pointed out that the creation of a cardinal for such a tiny Catholic community proves the pope’s special affection for the Church and the faithful in the peripheries because in the Church, “No one is forgotten, nor marginalised.”
In his words of thanks to Pope Francis, Cardinal Marengo promised, “Now that we have experienced how dear these People of God in Mongolia are to you, we accept your invitation to be joyful and courageous witnesses of the gospel in this blessed land.”
The pope was presented with a calligraphic work in which the word, bayarlalaa, which means thank you was written in old Mongolian script by a young woman who attended one of the Catholic schools, “where she learned to love her country more and more; cultivating its ancient literary tradition.” Cardinal Marengo said, “We say ‘thank you’ because our hearts are filled with joy; the joy of the Gospel.” In return, Pope Francis presented the cardinal with a chalice for the Mongolian Church.
In keeping with his custom, the pope sent telegramme messages to the heads of state he was flying over their country’s air space, including China, sending his greetings and best wishes. “Assuring you of my prayers for the well-being of the nation, I invoke upon all of you the divine blessings of unity and peace,” he wrote in his message to China’s president, Xi Jinping.
May the dark clouds of war be dispelled,” he said, “swept away by the firm desire for a universal fraternity wherein tensions are resolved through encounter and dialogue, and the fundamental rights of all people are guaranteed!
Pope Francis
On September 2, Pope Francis, with Mongolia’s president, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh, reiterated his message of peace during the meeting with the authorities and the diplomatic corps in the State Palace of the Mongolian capital. “May the dark clouds of war be dispelled,” he said, “swept away by the firm desire for a universal fraternity wherein tensions are resolved through encounter and dialogue, and the fundamental rights of all people are guaranteed!”
The pope later met with the Catholic community at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral. In his address, the pontiff outlined the style of the missionary presence of the Church, in Mongolia as in any other frontier land for the Gospel.
“Governments and secular institutions have nothing to fear from the Church’s work of evangelisation, for she has no political agenda to advance, but is sustained by the quiet power of God’s grace and a message of mercy and truth, which is meant to promote the good of all.”
During his address to national leaders, Pope Francis emphasised the importance of caring for the natural environment, pointing to the wisdom modern Mongolians could draw from “the holistic vision of the Mongolian shamanic tradition, combined with the respect for all living beings inherited from Buddhist philosophy.”
In meeting Cardinal Marengo, priests, religious and lay volunteers who serve Mongolia’s 1,450 Catholics, Pope Francis praised them for making love for the poor their “calling card.” He assured the government and those suspicious of the Church that when Jesus sent his disciples into this world, he did not send them to propagate political theory but to serve as witnesses to the newness of his relationship with his Father, now “our Father”.
I think this is beautiful: when the pope can’t come to us, we go to him
Bishop Chow
Rufina, a pastoral worker who converted to Catholicism, spoke about her childhood experiences at the local parish, where she was exposed to the life of Jesus. “Learning about Catholicism was like learning a new language, the Catholic language,” she told Vatican News. “I have been studying this language for 14 years and will continue to learn it.”
The director of the House of Mercy, Salesian Brother Andrew Tran Le Phuong, told the pope that the facility would provide shelter for vulnerable persons, particularly women and children. It would also be a place where Catholic charities operating in the city could coordinate.
Naidansuren Otgongerel, who took the name “Lucia” when she was baptised, uses prostheses on her arms and legs. “I am the luckiest person in the world because I have accepted fully the love of God, the love of Jesus,” she told the pope.
