TASHKENT (UCAN) -- A bishop from Kazakhstan has held recollections for priests and laypeople in Uzbekistan.

Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda spoke about God's love during evening masses at Sacred Heart Church in Tashkent Nov. 6-8. He also gave daytime recollections on the same subject to priests in Uzbekistan from Nov. 5 to 9.

"When we see the same priests all the time we go moldy. That is why we need renewal," Sacred Heart parishioner Eduard Chudov told UCA News. The subjects the visiting bishop from Kazakhstan discussed are not new, Chudov admitted, but he sees value in listening to new perspectives on familiar subjects.

Lora, another parishioner, added that much of what Bishop Schneider said was not new, "but he reminded us about essentials, and this is why recollections are given."

The evening Masses at the Tashkent church were presided over by Bishop Jerzy Maculewicz, apostolic administrator of Uzbekistan, with Bishop Schneider as concelebrant.

Bishop Maculewicz told UCA News he invited Bishop Schneider to speak to local Catholics because parishioners cam learn much by listening to other priests talking about core matters of faith. What people might miss with one priest they might get from a priest of another diocese or country, he said.

Father Andrzej Brzezinski, the Sacred Heart pastor, agreed such recollections help widen people's views. He participated with six confreres in the recollection Bishop Schneider led at their residence in Tashkent. The clergy in Uzbekistan, and Bishop Maculewicz, are all Polish members of the Conventual Franciscans' Krakow (Poland) province. The priests also reflected on God's love, but from the angle of their ministry.

On the first day of recollections at Sacred Heart, Bishop Schneider told the group of about 50 parishioners, "We should concentrate on the love that God surrounded us with."

On the second day he brought baptism, confession and the Eucharist into the reflection. "Baptism and confession are deeds of the Holy Spirit" that "lead us to holiness," which is "a perfect love," he said. He quoted Pope Benedict XVI as saying, "The Eucharist is a mystery of love."

On the last day the Karaganda bishop urged Catholics to accept both God's mercy and difficulties in life, because "God raises up those whom he loves."

The bishop said he chose the topic because "God's love is the center of all Christian faith." He added that "it easier for a person to live up to God's will when the person realizes God loves him or her."

About 500 Catholics regularly join in activities in the five parishes spread across Uzbekistan. Muslims account for 88 percent of the 27 million people and members of the Russian Orthodox Church make up 9 percent.

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(Accompanying photos available at here)