Apostolic Administration of Atyrau
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.
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.
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, Titular Bishop of Phelbes ;
- * stayed on as Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of Atyrau while elevated to the see of Karaganda, then went on solely as Bishop of Karaganda
- Adelio Dell’Oro, Titular Bishop of Castulo
- Fr. Dariusz Buras
- Fr. Peter Sakmár Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of Atyrau
Parishes
There are several churches in the main cities of Western Kazakhstan which belong to the Apostolic Administration of Aturau.- 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