The Apostolic Administration of Kyrgyzstan is a Catholic (Latin Church) Apostolic Administration (pre-diocesan jurisdiction; originally an Independent Mission) for the Catholics of Kyrgyzstan (West Turkistan, Central Asia).
It is exempt, i.e. directly subject to the Holy See (not part of any ecclesiastical province) and has no (pro-)cathedral see yet.
The area has three parishes, Bishkek, Talas, and Jalalabad.[1] Most parishioners have a Polish, German or Korean background.[2]
History
On 22 December 1997, the Holy See established the Mission sui iuris of Kyrgyzstan on territory split off from the then Apostolic Administration of Kazakhstan (shortly after promoted to Diocese of Karaganda, after missiones sui iuris were also split off for Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, all in 1997).
On 18 March 2006, the independent mission was promoted as Apostolic Administration.
Ordinaries
- Father Aleksandr Kan, S.J. (1997.12.22 – 2006.03.18)
- Nikolaus Messmer, S.J., titular bishop of Carmeiano (2006.03.18 – 2016.07.18)
- Janez Mihelčič, S.J. (2016.08.01 – 2017.08.29)
- Anthony James Corcoran, S.J., titular bishop of Aeto (since 2017.08.29) [1]
References
- 1.[1.2]"Church in Kyrgyzstan: a 'blossoming bud' growing in the peripheries of the world". EWTN News. 8 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2026.
- 2."Meet Anthony Corcoran SJ, Apostolic Administrator in Kyrgyzstan". Jesuits Global. Retrieved 22 April 2026.