Among the political and ecclesiastical leaders meeting Cardinal Bertone at Baku airport on 6 March was Mons. Jáb Capla, superior of the ‘Missio sui iuris’ of Azerbaijan in the care of the Salesian Province of Slovakia (SLK).
On Friday 7 March, the President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and his wife, with several members of the government, diplomats and representatives of the major religions in the country, visited the church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary.
After a welcome from Mons. Ján Capla, President Aliyev spoke about the willingness of Azerbaijan to collaborate with all religions, and expressed his satisfaction with the presence of the Catholic community in the country. Cardinal Bertone responded by expressing his appreciation of the welcome he had received, and gave a brief outline of the history of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan. The President then showed his interest in plans for a pastoral centre near the church.
On the Saturday evening, the Secretary of State changed his official programme and took part in a gathering with young people in true Salesian style. Cardinal Bertone prayed the rosary with them and then engaged in a warm and open conversation. “For a Christian, prayer is important,” said the Cardinal to the young people. “Don’t forget about prayer.” One young person asked the Cardinal how he managed to live his Salesian life. He replied that his duty was to become a bearer of the Salesian spirit, a spirit of family, joy and kindness in the situation where he now found himself, even in his private meetings with the Pope.
On Sunday 9 March the Cardinal presided at Mass in the church of the Immaculate Virgin Mary. Also present were Mons. Claudio Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio for Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Mons. Ignazio Bedini SDB, Archbishop of Ispahan, and Mons. Janusz Kaleta, Apostolic Administrator of Atyrau. In his homily the Cardinal thanked the Salesians of Slovakia for their involvement in Azerbaijan. At the end of the Mass, Cardinal Bertone met some of the older parishioners who remembered the previous church building destroyed during the Stalin era, and a catechumen preparing to be baptised during the forthcoming Easter celebrations.
Published 11/3/2008
