Catholic Church in Kyrgyzstan

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The Catholic Church in Kyrgyzstan is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome.

Demographics

There were approximately 670 Catholics in the country in 2020

Jesuit priest Anthony Corcoran of the USA Central and Southern Province of the Society of Jesus is the current Apostolic Administrator, taking over after Janez Mihelčič [de; pl] on August 29, 2017.[3] In 2020, the country was served by five Jesuit and two diocesan priests, as well as seven Franciscan sisters.[4] Most of the Catholics in the country are the descendants of Germans, Poles and other European ethnic groups who were deported to Central Asia by Joseph Stalin in the 1930s and 1940s.[2]

History

The Catholics are mentioned in this region since 14th century, mainly on the territory of today's Kazakhstan. The Catholic missionaries came in Kyrgyzstan mainly from China, till turn of 19th and 20th centuries. Since 1918 to 1930, the area of Kyrgyzstan came under the parish of Tashkent. In 1937, there started the persecution of Catholic Church, the churches were destroyed and all priests were deported or executed. In that time, because of mass deportations into Central Asia (that had no parallel even in tsar era), came to influx of Catholics from Volga area, Ukraine, Poland and Baltic Sea area.[5]

The first Catholic church in the country was built in 1969 by faithful of German descent, and was also granted legal recognition that same year.[6][7] A second floor was built in 1981 because of community growth.[6]

1991 to the present

After Kyrgyzstan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country became part of the

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See also

References

  1. ^ World Religions Database on the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
  2. ^ a b c d e "Kyrgyzstan Catholic Camp Encourages Youths To Have Better Understanding Of Their Faith". Union of Catholic Asian News. 2008-09-03. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  3. ^ Cheney, David M. "Kyrgyzstan (Apostolic Administration) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". www.catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  4. ^ Catholics And Culture website, retrieved 2023-08-08
  5. ISBN 978-80-254-6365-9
    . Retrieved 24 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Kyrgyzstan First Bishop Installed As Head Of Local Church". Union of Catholic Asian News. 2006-07-06. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  7. ^ a b "Kyrgyzstan". US Department of State. 2001-10-26. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  8. ^ a b "Kyrgyzstan Local Church Exists Mainly As Small Communities". Union of Catholic Asian News. 2004-02-03. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  9. ^ "Kyrgyzstan 'Boring' Work Vital For Building Church". Union of Catholic Asian News. 2003-11-04. Archived from the original on January 6, 2009. Retrieved 2008-11-20.

External links

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