Mongolia, a mineral-rich nation strategically located between China and Russia, is bouncing back strongly from a pandemic slump – with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) forecasting its economy to grow 5.4 percent in 2023.

While its development remains heavily dependent on coal, Mongolia’s potential for sustainable development through renewable energy is enormous. The ADB estimates its combined wind and solar potential to be enough to meet not only its own energy demand – but also Northeast Asia’s needs with suitable transmission infrastructure.

One of the chief ways the landlocked nation can invest in a brighter future of sustainable and inclusive growth is through transition to a digital economy, which can reduce its dependence on commodities exports and drive less carbon-intensive industries.

“The Mongolian economy stands to benefit enormously from further digitalization, which can boost productivity and support economic diversification,” according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which in 2022 launched a partnership to boost Mongolia’s digital economy.

Golomt Bank – one of the nation’s top three banks – is on a mission to spearhead Mongolia’s digital transformation through a unique “Open Bank” strategy that is creating a digital ecosystem with local innovators for Mongolia’s social empowerment and sustainable growth.

Pioneering A.I.-enabled solutions and consistently strong financial results – even during the pandemic – enabled Golomt Bank to make Mongolian Stock Exchange history in November, 2022 with the bourse’s biggest ever initial public offering, attracting MNT 118.8 billion.

CEO Norihiko Kato and CIO Sainbileg Mandakh speak about the digitally-driven future of an institution at the forefront of Mongolian sustainable development.

- What is Golomt Bank’s vision of a bright future for all Mongolians?

- NK: We’re keen to take a lead in the sustainable development of Mongolia. Our motto “Investing for a brighter future” means projects that drive eco-friendly, community-friendly, positive change. We are proud to be one of the founding signatories – and the only from Mongolia – of the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative. We’re also proud of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion record: 65 percent of our employees are women; 35 percent of our executive management team members are female. As we drive social and sustainability programmes, our financial future looks bright. Our latest revised business plans are all above forecasts presented at our IPO.

- Please tell us about the vision behind Golomt Bank’s Open Bank strategy?

- SM: The Open Bank model is about digital empowerment for all Mongolians. We believe in a sharing economy, working with fin-tech and non-financial sector partners, to reimagine a better future for Mongolia. The vision is not only for banking and financial literacy solutions. Our aim is to provide a digital ecosystem that encompasses sectors such as health, education and agriculture. Our mission is to drive a collaborative digital economy across the spectrum of Mongolian society. Open Bank is fundamentally about driving a culture of digital transformation – with agility, commitment and imagination.

- Please share the unique value and operational highlights behind Golomt Bank’s historic IPO?

- NK: We have a customer base built upon a bedrock of trust. As Mongolia’s leading bank, we command 20 percent of the banking sector. In 2022, our net profit increased 4.5 times from the previous year, while Mongolia’s economy grew by 4.8 percent. Trust is key. We’re Mongolia’s first bank to be rated with ‘Internal Audit Practices in line with the international standard and Code of Ethics.’ During the IPO, we pushed our Open Bank strategy forcefully. This digital future based on sound governance and innovation was probably the most appealing factor for investors in the IPO.

- How does your SocialPay digital wallet make you a pioneer in Mongolia’s online banking space?

- SM: SocialPay, introduced in 2017, was the first fintech service in Mongolia. It follows in a line of firsts for Golomt Bank. We introduced Mongolia’s first international card payment system, its first Internet bank, and first Smart Bank solution. SocialPay started as a peer-to-peer payment system. Today it’s a lifestyle platform. For example, it includes an A.I.-powered service that plans your family budget. During the pandemic, SocialPay enhanced health-and-safety through contactless payment. An exciting new version is coming soon with features such as Natural Language Processing-enabled transactions. We strive every day to create new digital value for wellbeing and sustainable development.

UNIDROIT is delighted to announce that Mongolia formally acceded to the UNIDROIT Statute on 21 April 2023 and has designated the Ministry of Justice and Internal Affairs of Mongolia as National Authority and contact point for the Institute.

On 3 May 2023, Her Excellency, Ms Tserendorj Narantungalag, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Mongolia in Italy visited UNIDROIT to mark this important event. Ms Tserendorj Narantungalag was received together with Ms Delgerjargal Ganbold, First Secretary of the Embassy of Mongolia in Italy, by the Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Professor Ignacio Tirado, Deputy Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Professor Anna Veneziano, and Principal Legal Officer & Treaty Depositary, Ms Marina Schneider.

On this occasion, Her Excellency Ms Tserendorj Narantungalag recalled that Mongolia adopted the resolution to join UNIDROIT on 29 March 2023 and stressed that “this is an important milestone to further strengthen and develop the cooperation between Mongolia and UNIDROIT”. UNIDROIT’s Secretary General underscored the importance of increasing the Institute’s presence in Central Asia, and happily welcomed Mongolia as a leader in legal reform in the region. “I am certain” -he said- “that our collaboration with the Government of Mongolia is going to be a most fruitful one”.

With Mongolia, UNIDROIT now counts 65 Member States and up to 127 so-called connected States, which have benefited from acceding to UNIDROIT’s instruments.

ABOUT UNIDROIT

The International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) is an independent intergovernmental Organisation with its seat in the Villa Aldobrandini in Rome. Its purpose is to study needs and methods for modernising, harmonising and co-ordinating private and in particular commercial law as between States and groups of States and to formulate uniform law instruments, principles and rules to achieve those objectives.

The Central Bank of Mongolia purchased 998.7 kg of precious metals in April, increasing the total volume of purchased precious metals to 3.2 tonnes this year.

The branches of the Central Bank of Mongolia in Bayankhongor and Darkhan-Uul provinces have purchased 360 kg and 234.3 kg of precious metals since the beginning of this year.

The Central Bank sets the purchase price of precious metals at the world market price. The average price per kilogram was MNT 224,794 in April.

Mongolia has long been an off-the-beaten-track destination on Wanderlust's radar. Best known for its nomadic culture, grass-covered steppes, and for having more horses than people, it calls out to those seeking culture, nature and adventure. But if that wasn't enough to seize your attention, it's now become easier than ever before to travel to this emerging country. Here is why you should take a trip to the 'Land of the Eternal Blue Sky' in 2023.

Travel to Mongolia visa-free

That is, if you’re travelling from one of the 61 countries on Mongolia’s visa-free list. Several western nations have been recently added to the temporary visa exemption, which will run until December 2025, allowing visitors to have up to 30 days travelling in Mongolia. Many European countries are included on the list, such as the UK, Switzerland, France, Denmark, and Spain, as well as the South Pacific countries of Australia and New Zealand (US citizens were already allegeable for 90-days of visa-free travel). This temporary exemption is part of efforts by the Mongolian government to invite more tourists to experience Mongolia, so if you've ever wanted to ride the Trans-Mongolian Railway, tour the Gobi Desert, or roam the capital of Ulaanbaatar, now is the time.

Celebrate 100 years of Naadam

The hottest cultural festival in Mongolia’s calendar turned a century in 2022, although the origins of the festival date back much longer than that to the days of Genghis Khan. Naadam is Mongolia’s answer to the Olympic games, with participants competing in three traditional events: archery, wrestling and horseracing. The games take place during July, and while the main sporting competitions and celebrations – including the opening ceremony and closing ceremony – take place in the capital of Ulaanbaatar, many towns and villages in the countryside often hold their own, smaller events.

Learn Mongolia’s history at a new museum

The end of 2022 saw the opening of the Chinggis Khan Museum, the largest museum of its kind. With more than 12,000 artefacts spanning centuries, the museum's permanent and temporary collections transport visitors back in time to understand three main periods of Mongolian of history: the ancient kingdoms of the time before Genghis Khan, the Mongol Empire, and the Great Khan dynasty. The museum has been built where the old Natural History Museum once stood, with nine floors of exhibition space and immersive experiences.

Stay in a new eco retreat

Outdoor enthusiasts will love the opening of a new eco-friendly camp set in a valley along the Yeruu River. Many activities can be planned alongside your stay to help you make the most of the natural surroundings, including horseriding, kayaking and yoga. Yeruu Lodge not only pays attention to the needs of its guests, but also its environment and community. All produce used in the on-site restaurant are locally sourced, and all food waste is made into compost for growing the camp’s own fruit, vegetables, herbs and berries. Plastic, glass and metal is recycled and solar panels provide electricity throughout the camp. The community have been part of the workforce building the accommodation – which is based on traditional Mongolian Gers – and local artists will be supported as part of planned performances, helping visitors be immersed in the culture.

The regular meeting of the Government of Mongolia was held on May 3, 2023, and the following issues were discussed and resolved.

Draft amendments to the Constitution of Mongolia were discussed and submitted to the Parliament

After the discussion at the Government meeting, Minister of Mongolia, Chief Cabinet Secretary D. Amarbayasgalan submitted the draft amendments to the Constitution of Mongolia to Chairman of the State Great Khural G. Zandanshatar.

In 1991-1992, when the Constitution of Mongolia was adopted, one member of the State Great Khural represented an average of 27,000 citizens. Today, the number of citizens represented by a single member has nearly doubled, reaching 44,700, reducing the parliament's representative capacity. In order to improve the parliament's ability to represent citizens, the number of members of the Parliament will be increased to 152 in proportion to the population, as the draft amendment to the Constitution reflected.

The use of the majoritarian election system alone has created negative aspects such as the loss of votes of citizens, the interests of constituencies being placed higher than the interests of the country, and giving preference to those who are known to the public and have financial resources. The proportional electoral system has advantages such as lower loss of votes, equal representation of social groups, and optimal formation of political parties. Therefore, an election system that reflects the advantages of majoritarian and proportional representation and provisions for electing 50 percent of total members of the State Great Khural by majoritarian and 50 percent by proportional is considered.

By clearly defining the voting system in the Constitution of Mongolia, it is important to ensure the stability of the electoral system of the State Great Khural of Mongolia, fair competition of parties in elections, transparency to the citizens, and guarantee of voting rights of citizens abroad.

The Prime Minister mandated that 80 percent of all citizens should be included in early detection examinations, tests, and diagnoses in 2023

Minister of Health S. Chinzorig informed the Government about the process of participating in the screening, test, and diagnosis for disease prevention and early detection of the population, and the amendments included in Resolution No. 06 of 2022 "On Approval of Packages, Amounts of Payments, and Procedures" of the National Health Insurance Council.

The Government of Mongolia and the Ministry of Health have been organizing the prevention, early detection, and diagnosis of common infectious and non-infectious diseases based on the age, gender, and health risk of the population starting from May 1, 2022.

As of May 1 of this year, 30 percent of the population has been enrolled in this campaign, and the Prime Minister has mandated to cover 80 percent of citizens within 2023.

Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Kh. Nyambaatar: We are working to improve the assessment of the Corruption Perceptions Index

The corruption index of Mongolia on 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index reported by Transparency International and the anti-corruption strategy to be followed in 2023-2024 were discussed.

In the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index issued by Transparency International, Mongolia scored 33 points and ranked 116th out of 180 countries. Mongolia has taken some commendable measures to restore the anti-corruption system last year, but it is not enough to fight the existing corruption risk, and the following conclusion was made.

- In Mongolia, which has abundant natural resources, information about the natural resources revenue, its distribution, and decision-making regarding it is not disclosed in a unified way, and insufficient regulation is a major issue.

- Government employees are giving priority to personal interests over public interests, which leads to demonstrations in the capital city.

- The Government needs to take several measures to improve the situation. It is necessary to update the law on public procurement, release corrupt officials from public service, standardize the governance of state-owned enterprises, and ensure transparency at all levels in order to stop the evasion of government-appointed officials from being charged.

The Minister pointed out that the Government of Mongolia has declared 2023-2024 as the Year of Fighting Corruption and is implementing the "Five W Operation." In this context, the Government is working to improve the Corruption Perception Index of Mongolia.

Digitally traded coal will be transported through Gashuunsukhait port via a special gateway

It has been three months since the start of online coal trading, and 1.2 million tons of coal have been sold in 26 auctions.

Foreign exchange reserves reached USD 3.7 billion in April

The official foreign currency reserves decreased to USD 2.5 billion in September 2022, then by the end of April 2023 increased to USD 3.7 billion. As a result, real economic growth accounted for 7.6 percent in the first quarter of 2023, according to the preliminary estimates of the National Statistics Committee. The mining and service sectors mainly affected this growth. However, annual inflation was 12.2 percent in the first quarter and decreased to 10.3 percent as of May 1.

Foreign exchange reserves have increased and remained stable in recent months due to increased activity at border ports and increased exports. For example, coal export, which reached 19.0 million tons in the first four months of 2023, increased by 7.5 million tons from the same period of 2019 and 15.2 million tons from the same period of the previous year, respectively.

Brief news

The cabinet agreed to issue a Government resolution on some measures to be taken to resolve foreign investment complaints and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy and Development Ch. Khurelbaatar was instructed to take measures to openly upload reports on the resolution of complaints and applications submitted by foreign investors on the Ministry’s website.

Trade between China and Mongolia has spiked in recent years, with last year's figures reaching 12 billion US dollars, almost double the amount three years ago. The Belt and Road Initiative includes plans for more than 30 projects in Mongolia, ranging from infrastructure and energy to joint efforts to combat desertification. CGTN's Sarangua Tumur has more from Ulaanbaatar.

SARANGUA TUMUR Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia "China has been Mongolia's largest trading partner and its main foreign investor over the past decade. In 2022, trade volume between China and Mongolia reached 12.2 billion US dollars, almost double that of 2020."

BAYARKHUU DASHDORJ Former Ambassador of Mongolia "Last year, the heads of state of both countries agreed on the goal of increasing the trade volume to 20 billion US dollars in the near future. The construction of border ports and railway connections on both sides is crucial to accelerate the economic ties between China and Mongolia."

SARANGUA TUMUR Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia "The Mongolian government has formulated a development policy for Mongolia, known as the Development Road, which aligns with China's Belt and Road Initiative. Both sides aim to expand and deepen cooperation in areas such as the economy, energy, infrastructure, climate response, green development, and desertification treatment. China has commended Mongolia's 'Billion Trees' initiative and expressed its willingness to discuss the establishment of a cooperation center to combat desertification."

SUMIYA CHULUUNBAATAR Secretary of Mongolia-China Friendship Association "Mongolia is set to host the 17th Conference of Parties of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in 2026. China also has significant experience in managing sandstorms, afforestation and desertification. Given that both countries are affected by climate change and desertification, and share similar terrains and climate, it's crucial to actively promote environmental cooperation between them in the near future."

SARANGUA TUMUR Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia "Over the past 10 years, China has granted $1.5 billion of soft loans to the Mongolian government. Most recently, a series of projects were implemented with non-payable Chinese aid and soft loans under the BRI, including Mongolia's first expressway and the first development center for disabled children. However, the two sides are also expected to cooperate on more ambitious projects in the near future."

Sarangua Tumur, CGTN, Ulaanbaatar.

(An Interview With Cardinal Giorgio Marengo) On his return to Rome from South Sudan in February, Pope Francis offered the possibility of a visit to Mongolia this September. It would be the first papal pilgrimage to the country. Register senior international correspondent Victor Gaetan contacted Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, apostolic prefect in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to learn more. The interview began last October in Bangkok, Thailand, where Gaetan and Cardinal Marengo met at the monthlong Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences.

The Church in Mongolia is sometimes called the newest in the world because missionaries started from nothing in 1992, following the fall of communism. The entire country is a missionary jurisdiction, with nine parishes serving 1,450 faithful. Cardinal Marengo, who will turn 49 next month, was ordained a Consolata missionary in 2001. He first went to Mongolia in 2003.

Your Eminence, there’s no reference to a papal visit on Mongolia’s main Catholic website, although Pope Francis clearly stated his hope to visit. Are you getting ready?

Technically not yet, because we must get instructions from Rome; but, of course, since Pope Francis mentioned it on his flight back from Africa, and again during his general audience a few days later, we are in the “being ready” mode but not yet technically starting the preparations.

How important would this visit be?

It will be a very historic visit, with a great impact on bilateral relations between the Holy See and Mongolia, as well as a great joy for the small Catholic community in Mongolia.

Protocol requires an invitation from the president of the country and religious leaders. Has that occurred?

Oh, yes! An invitation from the president is the fundamental requirement for a papal visit to any country. Last summer, Aug. 24, just a few days before the consistory, a delegation from the Mongolian government, including a former president, went to Rome and handed Francis an official invitation from the current president.

How is communication between the Catholic community and the dominant religious group in Mongolia, the Buddhists?

We have very good relations that have grown throughout the years. Dialogue with those who represent the majority has been a priority from the very beginning. The majority religion is Mongolian Buddhism. Buddhism came to Mongolia at different moments of its history and mainly from Tibet. So the roots of Mongolian Buddhism are in Tibet, but in recent years people have started referring to “Mongolian Buddhism” because it has become a particular form of Buddhism. That’s why, last May 28, we were received by the Holy Father.

I remember reading about that meeting … and you were there, too. Wonderful!

Yes. There were some contacts in the past between Buddhist monks and the Holy Father, but this was the first-ever audience granted to a delegation of Mongolian Buddhist monks with him.

And the next day, on May 29, Pope Francis announced 21 new cardinals, and you were among them. That seemed to be a very high level of diplomacy: You visited the Holy Father with a delegation of Mongolian monks; then you were immediately elevated. How did you read that?

It was, of course, a great surprise for me. I don’t know if it was planned in such a way as it happened, but we know how important interreligious dialogue is for Pope Francis.

Was there a celebration?

That very day was a Sunday, so I went to Sunday Mass with two Mongolian Catholic priests who were traveling with me, together with a Buddhist monk. We went to visit a community of Consolata Missionary sisters outside Rome. We had a nice meeting, and, meanwhile, the announcement was given at the Angelus. We got the news only after. And the Buddhist abbot was the first to congratulate me for the appointment!

How does your elevation to the College of Cardinals further enhance your ability to represent the Catholic Church in Asia and in Mongolia?

I am obviously very grateful to Pope Francis for having thought of a cardinal from Mongolia, thus promoting the image of his small Church. We trust that this choice can indeed contribute to intensifying official relations on a further level. On the other hand, since the Catholic tradition is still little known in Mongolia, we still need to work hard in introducing the Church into the real social fabric.

Are there restrictions on evangelization or conversion in Mongolia?

Mongolia’s constitution grants a fundamental right to practice or not practice religious belief so religious freedom is included in the fundamental rights that Mongolia recognizes for its citizens. This fundamental right is protected so legislation allows the practice of different religious traditions.

Is the Catholic Church recognized by the country’s constitution?

Mongolia welcomes all kinds of religious groups, but, of course, in the implementation of this fundamental right, the government has a set of rules and regulations according to which the different religious groups have to register and be acknowledged officially. The rules are there, and we have to follow procedures. Based on that, religious freedom is guaranteed.

Will other Buddhist leaders from around Asia come to Mongolia if the Pope visits?

That I really don’t know. It is beyond my knowledge. I don’t know how the Buddhist world will react to this visit, but, for sure, there will be a meeting of the Holy Father with the other religious traditions, not just Buddhism. Here in Mongolia, we have good relations with leaders of all religions: There are active communities of Muslims believers, followers of Shamanism, Hindu, the Baha’i and then the Christian denominations.

You have been in Mongolia as a missionary for 20 years. How difficult was the missionary work for you at the beginning and throughout the years?

Well, it took me — and us — because I went with a group of my own society, the Consolata Missionaries, both priests and sisters — a long time for our insertion into the new reality. This is something we were aware of, belonging to a missionary congregation, aimed at providing missionary energies to wherever there is a need, especially where the Church is not well established or even absent. We all knew it would take us a long time, and it did take a long time.

That’s a very delicate and crucial moment in the life of any missionary: to spend time, quality time, learning; first the language, then the history, culture, traditions, politics, economy of the country where one is sent.

So we spent the first three years just learning the language in Ulaanbaatar. In the third year, we started doing some little services for the local community in Ulaanbaatar. And in dialogue with the first apostolic prefect, Msgr. [Wenceslao] Padilla — the first pioneer priest, with CICM, an international missionary congregation — in dialogue with him, we offered our services to establish the presence of the Church in a part of the country where it had never been.

Where was that?

We embarked on this very interesting adventure. We established a tiny community, in a region called Arvaikheer, 450 kilometers southwest of Ulaanbaatar. It is exactly in the geographical center of the country, where the initial capital city of the Mongolian empire was established.

It was more adventurous because there were no other missionaries, not even Catholics there, so it was really a matter of inserting ourselves, again, into this new reality. It was a grace for me, a great grace, and opportunity to know more about the history, culture and religions of Mongolia; because living in the countryside offered more in this regard than in the capital city.

There, I spent 14 years, and a small community was eventually established, with a few friends from the neighborhood who started being interested. With all the due permissions of the government, we established a small church and some social projects.

I arrived in Mongolia in 2003. In 2006, we moved to this new area, and I spent the rest of my time there, until two years ago, when I was appointed apostolic prefect.

The gulf is so wide between the poverty and isolation you have witnessed in Mongolia and the privilege and convenience so many Catholics in the West live among. What lessons of faith and Christ’s love have you learned in Mongolia that you might not have gained, had you stayed in an Italian parish?

Taking everything for granted is a very common risk when living in more affluent conditions. The richness of having lived for 14 years in a rural area of Mongolia, in direct contact with the ancestral rhythms of the seasons and of human life stretched to the limit, is a grace I would not want to let go of. From people who live their faith in simplicity at 40 degrees below zero, braving blizzards and stray dogs to come to Mass every morning in the middle of winter, I am led to give thanks every day for the great gift of faith. It is these people, mysteriously touched by grace, who encourage me to offer them the best, through a human and spiritual journey of continuous growth in faith.

In the beginning, how many Consolata missionaries were there with you?

We were two priests and three sisters. I was the only Italian among the priests. First, I was with an Argentinian priest, two Italian sisters and one from Colombia; then, eventually, the Argentinian left, and another Italian priest came.

Were the people welcoming?

In general, Mongolians are known to be very welcoming. The nomadic attitude is very hospitable. On the other hand, we have to remember that Mongolia was very isolated for 70 years, as a communist country, without being a member of the Soviet Union, but it was one of the first countries that embraced “real socialism.” Because of that, we were cautious and attentive, especially when we talked about religious matters.

But then, thanks to the relationships we built out of human respect and collaboration, I would say that we were welcomed and accepted there. Especially now, after so many years, we have very good relations with government officials, and we collaborate in many aspects for the good of the society.

As you are a European, do you find a keener sense of the transcendent in Asia than in Italy or Western Europe at this time in history?

Indeed, I do find it here. I’ve devoted some studies to this topic, especially while preparing my Ph.D. research in missiology. Since the age of Enlightenment, a break has occurred in the West between faith and reason, or, if you like, between religious and scientific attitudes. This is not the case for Asia. While, in some respects, the introduction of a greater critical sense might be useful in Asia, I believe that in the West there is much to be learned from the wise attitude that knows how to treasure the fundamental elements of religions in society.

When you engage in dialogue with officials, what language do you speak?

Usually I relate to them in Mongolian because I can handle the language. But, of course, some of the high-ranked monks or abbots do speak English or non-Mongolian languages like Russian. But I feel at home with Mongolian, so we usually use Mongolian.

Fantastic. Have you also explored the life of Buddhism in neighboring countries such as Thailand?

Well, I attended two of the Buddhist-Christian colloquia, an initiative of the Vatican going back to the 1990s. These meetings are prepared for two to three years, and they rotate between different Asian countries.

This has given me a great opportunity to know more about the Buddhist world. I attended the 2015 edition in India. It was really an eye-opener to the wider Buddhist work because, in Mongolia, I knew only the reality of Mongolian Buddhism. Then, in 2017, at the edition in Taiwan, which was again, a fruitful initiative, I asked the organizers to invite one Buddhist monk from Mongolia because they have not been present before. This monk who attended is also a well-known abbot of a big monastery in Mongolia. So these occasions gave me an opportunity to know more about Buddhism in general, and they are also an experience of friendship.

Tell me about the Catholic religious serving Mongolia today.

We have two local Mongolian priests, 26 foreign missionary priests, and more than 40 sisters, all from other countries.

From what other countries?

We have a very big variety: from 22 different countries and belonging to 10 religious societies and congregations. Our priests are from Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Cameroon, Congo, elsewhere … Indonesia, Philippines, one French priest, one priest from East Timor, one from Czech Republic, one from Colombia, Kenya, and Tanzania.

The biggest group is represented by CICM missionaries, who were pioneers in Mongolia. My predecessor, Bishop [Wenceslao] Padilla, was the CICM superior. It’s a missionary congregation originally from Belgium, founded in the 19th century. Also present are a group of diocesan priests from South Korea, the Salesians of Don Bosco, and my community, Consolata missionaries.

In what language is Mass given?

In Mongolian, always; every day in daily Mass. At the cathedral we have a service for the international community, and I appointed one priest to be chaplain for the international community, so there is also a Mass in English.

BY: Victor Gaetan

Victor Gaetan Victor Gaetan is a senior correspondent for the National Catholic Register, focusing on international issues. He also writes for Foreign Affairs magazine, The American Spectator and the Washington Examiner. He contributed to Catholic News Service for several years. The Catholic Press Association of North America has given his articles four first place awards, including Individual Excellence, over the last five years. Gaetan received a license (B.A.) in Ottoman and Byzantine Studies from Sorbonne University in Paris, an M.A. from the Fletcher School of International Law and Diplomacy, and a Ph.D. in Ideology in Literature from Tufts University. His book God’s Diplomats: Pope Francis, Vatican Diplomacy, and America’s Armageddon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in July 2021. Visit his website at VictorGaetan.org.