ASTANA (UCAN) -- The Holy Spirit is very much alive and working in Turkmenistan, according to the Church leader of the Central Asian country.

Oblate Father Andrzej Madej, head of the Catholic Church in Turkmenistan, said the Church is not yet officially registered in the country, but the "Holy Spirit is working."

Father Madej was in Astana, for Pope John Paul II's Sept. 22-25 visit to Kazakhstan. The priest also brought a small group of people from Turkmenistan for the papal visit.

The Polish priest told UCA News that although the Catholic community in the predominantly Muslim country is small, "we are there to proclaim the Good News" in ways that are now available.

Christians and Muslims in the country live "as neighbors," said Father Madej, who has been superior of the mission for almost five years now.

According to Annuario Pontificio 2001, the Vatican yearbook, the "sui juris," or self-governing, mission of Turkmenistan with three priests and three nuns serves some 500 Catholics, in a country of 5 million. Muslims comprise 87 percent of the population and Orthodox Christians 11 percent.

About 60-80 people attend Mass every Sunday in his parish, he said, adding that now it's possible to hold meetings and catechism classes for children and young people on weekdays.

Father Madej told UCA News in Astana that he is optimistic about the future of the Church in the region. "How wonderful God's plan is!" he said, adding that he is inspired by the growth of the Church in Kazakhstan.

He noted that 60 years ago people in Kazakhstan were imprisoned for their faith. "Now the grain that died is giving fruit. This is resurrection for me," he said, adding "This is the springtime for the Church in Kazakhstan."

"People came here as slaves then, but today Catholics give the message of freedom to this country," he said, referring to deportations of Catholics from Germany, the Ukraine, Poland in the first hall of the 20th century.

Many of these Catholics were deported to what is now Kazakhstan during the rule of Soviet leader Joseph Stalin to provide cheap labor in the coal fields and industrial centers, or as detainees or exiles.

"God is using slavery to give his message of freedom to the nation. Slavery came here in order to bring the Good News here," he added.

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