TAJIKISTAN – ARGENTINA First Catholic monastery in Tajikistan

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.

TAJIKISTAN – ARGENTINA First Catholic monastery in Tajikistan