The Apostolic Administration of Atyrau is a pastoral area sui iuris, not yet fully a diocese, in western Kazakhstan which forms part of the Catholic Church in this country, namely of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana.
Its head is a prelate called Apostolic Administrator, member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Central Asia.[1] His see is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of Our Lord, in Atyrau. Current Administrator is a Slovakian priest, Fr. Peter Sakmár. Former Apostolic Administrator, Italian Bishop Adelio Dell'Oro became the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Karaganda.[2]
History
Apostolic Administration of Atyrau was established by the Holy See on 7 July 1999 together with other three dioceses in Kazakhstan which formerly were one Apostolic Administration of Kazakhstan.
Administrators
- Janusz Kaleta (1999.07.07 – 2011.02.05), Titular Bishop of Phelbes (2006.09.15 – 2011.02.05);
- Adelio Dell’Oro (2012.12.07 – 2015.05.16), Titular Bishop of Castulo
- Fr. Dariusz Buras (2015.05.16 – 2020.12.08)
- Fr. Peter Sakmár Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of Atyrau (2020.12.08 - ...)[3]
Parishes
There are several churches in the main cities of Western Kazakhstan which belong to the Apostolic Administration of Aturau.[4]
- Cathedral church of the Transfiguration of Our Lord in Atyrau.
- Divine Mercy Church in Kulsary
- The Good Shepherd Church in Aktobe
- Holy Family Church in Khromtau
- Sacred Heart Church in Aktau
- Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Uralsk
- Saint Joseph Church in Aksay
References
- 1."First Meeting of a New Catholic Bishops' Conference of Central Asia". 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
- 2."Apostolic Administration of Atyrau (Ru)". 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
- 3."About us – Apostolic Administration of Atyrau". katolikkz.org. Retrieved 2021-11-07.
- 4."Parishes of the Apostolic Administration of Atyrau (Ru)". 2022-04-26. Retrieved 2022-09-03.