ULAAN BAATAR: 28th February 2005 -- Salesian Mongolia takes an historic step today, Monday 28th February 2005 - the first Salesians take up permanent residence at Darhan, some 200 kms north of the capital Ulaan Baatar.  It will initially be a small community of two Salesians, with the remainder of the Salesians in the country continuing the already established work in the capital.

    Darhan has always been in Salesian sights - located as it is near to the Russian border, it is virtually a ghost city a decade after Mongolia turned away from socialism.  At least 20,000 of the population have left the city, large industries have closed down, and unemployment is rife, but with a population of some 83,000 it remains Mongolia's third largest city.

    The Salesian attraction to this area is, of course, the situation that the young people of the city now find themselves in.  As in Ulaan Baatar, they are poor, often unattached to families and many eke out an existence in sub-zero, -20+ degree temperatures on or below the streets (near the hot water pipes coursing through the city).

    The local government has been helpful, indeed it has been a characteristic of Mongolia in recent times that the government has recognised and appreciated the assistance that large Catholic organisations (the Religious Congregations, effectively) can offer.  This time around the Salesians find themselves with land and a building with which to develop their work.  And of course the very first work in Darhan will be an Oratory or gathering place for the young where the total person, spiritually and materially speaking, will be cared for.  The work will be formally opened on 24th May 2005.

    The Salesians are unlikely to find too many Catholics - perhaps none - in Darhan.  Latest figures for numbers of Catholics in Mongolia register just about the 200 mark, with another 100 or so catechumens.

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