Our History
XIII century- 1246
Giovanni da Pian del Carpine is sent by Pope Innocent IV to meet the Mongolian Khan in Kharkhorum. His trip to the Mongolian empire confirms the news of a local Christian community, which had existed for centuries.
1992
After the fall of Communism, the new reformist Mongolian government establishes diplomatic relations with other Countries. On January 20, 1992, the CICM General Government unanimously accepts the invitation to re-engage the Congregation in the mission of Outer Mongolia. On April 4, 1992 the Holy See and Mongolia finally set up diplomatic relations. This is followed by the appointment of Father Wenceslao Padilla as the Ecclesiastical Superior of the Missio Sui Iuris of Ulaanbaatar on April 19, 1992. Together with Fr. Robert Goessens and Fr. Gilbert Sales, the CICM pioneer team arrives in Ulaanbaatar on July 10, 1992.
1995
The first 13 Mongolian Catholics are baptized on April 15, 1995.
The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM) come to serve the Catholic Church in Mongolia on July 4, 1995.
1996
A piece of property in the 13th micro-district is bought to construct the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Mongolia (CCM) and into which the whole Church community moves in 1996.
The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres (SPC) come to Mongolia to start its mission in July, 1996.
The Missionaries of Charity (MC) come to Mongolia in September, 1996.
1997
The Fidei Donum priests come to serve the Catholic Church in Mongolia in February, 1997.
2001
The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) come to Mongolia in February, 2001.
2002
The Sisters of the Congregation of Jesus (CJ) come to serve the Catholic Church in Mongolia on July, 2002.
In August 2002, the Catholic community expands in the Khan Uul district of Ulaanbaatar with St. Mary’s Parish, under the care of Fidei Donum priests from the Daejeon Diocese, South Korea.
2003
The Good Shepherd Parish is established in the 10th micro-district, Bayangol District, on March 25, 2003, under the care of CICM missionaries.
Consolata Missionaries (IMC) and Consolata Missionary Sisters (MDC) come to serve the Catholic Church in Mongolia in July 27, 2003.
Episcopal ordination of Msgr. Wenceslao Padilla and consecration of the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul, on August 29 and 30, 2003.
2007
The Daughters of Mary, Help of Christians (FMA) come to Mongolia in 2007.
The Maria Auxilium Parish community is established in Darkhan, under the care of Salesians of Don Bosco.
2008
The Blessed Sacrament of Charity (INBO) Sisters come to Mongolia.
2010
Holy Family Parish in Shuvuu is established on January 27, 2010 under The Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (ICM). It goes the under the care of The Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) in 2017.
2012
The Mother of Mercy Parish community in Arvaikheer is established in 2012, under the care of Consolata Missionaries and Consolata Missionary Sisters
St. Thomas of Aquinas Catholic church in Sukhbaatar District is established on January 28, 2012 under the care of CICM missionaries.
2013
St. Sophia Parish is established in Bayanhoshuu, under the care of Fidei Donum priests from Daejeon Diocese from South Korea
2014
Lay missionaries come to reinforce the missionary work: the Pro-Misja Covenant of Catholics for Evangelization and Mission from Poland.
The Neo-catechumenal Way arrived in 2014.
2017
The Divine Mercy Parish in Erdenet is established in 2017, under the care of CICM missionaries.
The Lord of Mercy Church in Zuunmod is established on June 11, 2017.
2018
Bishop Wenceslao Padilla, the first Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, who started the Catholic mission in Mongolia in 1992, dies on September 25, 2018.
2020
On April 2, 2020 Pope Francis appoints Fr. Giorgio Marengo, IMC Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar and Bishop. He is consecrated at the Consolata Shrine in Turin, Italy on August 8, 2020 by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle.
2022
On May 29, 2022, Pope Francis announces a consistory for the creation of new cardinals. On August 27, 2022, Bishop Giorgio Marengo is made a cardinal. It is the first time that a cardinal is chosen from Mongolia.
2023
On June 4-8, 2023, Archbishop Paul R.Gallagher, Secretary of the Section of the Roman Curia for Relations with States and International Organizations, paid an official visit to Mongolia. Important meetings take place for bilateral relations between the Holy See and Mongolia.
September, 2023, The Holy Father Francis made a historic visit to Mongolia.
Links
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Mongolia
Visit of the Mongolian President to the Vatican
