Agostinho Neto Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 After almost two month of serving Baku and reaching out to families in the Rayon, the Church of the Immaculate Conception has closed its doors. The Azerbaijani Chatolic Association, celebrated its last public worship service today and attended a smaller final gathering for the night. In an e-mail sent to the association members and volunteers, Father Abbanov explained stagnant growth and an unresponsive community were the deciding factors in closing the church. “For the last few weeks we have seen little growth, despite a constant, diligent effort on all our parts,” Abbanov wrote in the e-mail. “Despite all of our efforts, the community we are trying to reach has not responded. For the health of all our souls it is best for us to step gracefully from this grand journey knowing that we served God faithfully.” Abbanov, along with his family and a handful of volunteers, was granted a small piece of land to build the church with the Government's assistance, and inaugurated Azerbaijan's first Chatolic Church on January 28, 2009. The Association participated in several outreach activities, hosting community worship services and assisting with humanitarian efforts during the Talysh war. In the e-mail, Abbanov wrote that he will continue serving in the association and will then take a break to prepare for his next assignment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Holy See Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 After almost two month of serving Baku and reaching out to families in the Rayon, the Church of the Immaculate Conception has closed its doors. The Azerbaijani Chatolic Association, celebrated its last public worship service today and attended a smaller final gathering for the night. In an e-mail sent to the association members and volunteers, Father Abbanov explained stagnant growth and an unresponsive community were the deciding factors in closing the church. “For the last few weeks we have seen little growth, despite a constant, diligent effort on all our parts,” Abbanov wrote in the e-mail. “Despite all of our efforts, the community we are trying to reach has not responded. For the health of all our souls it is best for us to step gracefully from this grand journey knowing that we served God faithfully.”Abbanov, along with his family and a handful of volunteers, was granted a small piece of land to build the church with the Government's assistance, and inaugurated Azerbaijan's first Chatolic Church on January 28, 2009. The Association participated in several outreach activities, hosting community worship services and assisting with humanitarian efforts during the Talysh war. In the e-mail, Abbanov wrote that he will continue serving in the association and will then take a break to prepare for his next assignment. Message from Pope Paul VII I am shocked to see this new church close its doors. If still possible, the Vatican can maintain this church financially, even send church hands if there is a lack of. We hope our late efforts can save this church from closing its doors. We believe the people of this area need this church. This beacon of faith cannot be allowed to fade and die out, and if allowed the Vatican will restore it 100%, and ensure its doors never again close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEDCJT Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Message from Pope Paul VII I am shocked to see this new church close its doors. If still possible, the Vatican can maintain this church financially, even send church hands if there is a lack of. We hope our late efforts can save this church from closing its doors. We believe the people of this area need this church. This beacon of faith cannot be allowed to fade and die out, and if allowed the Vatican will restore it 100%, and ensure its doors never again close. The UK is shocked by the closing of such a fine Church. We applauds the Pope for this generous offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Subtleknifewielder Posted March 19, 2009 Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 It is a shame to see such a beacon of light having to close from financial problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agostinho Neto Posted March 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2009 Message from Pope Paul VII I am shocked to see this new church close its doors. If still possible, the Vatican can maintain this church financially, even send church hands if there is a lack of. We hope our late efforts can save this church from closing its doors. We believe the people of this area need this church. This beacon of faith cannot be allowed to fade and die out, and if allowed the Vatican will restore it 100%, and ensure its doors never again close. The Azerbaijani Republic will reconsider this offer when elections will be over and a new policy on religion and public worship will be implemented by the next Chairman of the Communist Party of the Azerbaijani Republic. Due to the acient history of Baku, building in the center of the Capital is a long and hard bureaucratic process, maybe in the future we will consider building religious buildings in the Rayons around the Capital City, where there's much free countryside. People's Commissar Saftar Jafarov, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Azerbaijani Republic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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