Catholic Church in Astana

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Catholic Church in Astana

Astana, Kazakhstan’s capital, is best known for its impressive mosques when it comes to religious architecture. However, the city is also home to places of worship for other faiths. In recognition of the peaceful coexistence of different religions, UNESCO awarded Astana the title of «City of Peace» in 1999. Today, the city houses nearly a dozen religious institutions representing various faiths. For Catholics, the main religious site is the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, often referred to simply as the Catholic Church in Nur-Sultan. Established in 1999, this cathedral has become the most significant Catholic building in the country.

Although the Parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was only constructed in the late 1990s, the roots of Catholicism in Kazakhstan stretch back much further. Today, the number of Catholics in the country exceeds 190,000, making up around 1.2% of the population, but initially, there were only a few hundred Catholics in the region.

In the 1930s and 1940s, many residents from western Ukraine, Belarus, and the Volga region were deported to Kazakhstan, including large numbers of Germans, Balts, and Poles. During the Soviet era, religion was not officially recognized, and believers had to practice their faith in secret. For years, Catholic priests risked not only their freedom but also their lives by secretly traveling to Kazakhstan to perform essential rites.

The first steps toward the legalization of the Catholic community were taken in 1958. Local Catholics pooled their resources to buy a small house for group prayers. By the 1960s, in what was then known as Tselinograd, several private homes were being used as places of worship, but all gatherings remained clandestine. From time to time, priests were able to travel from Lviv, Bishkek, and Almaty to provide spiritual guidance.

In September 1979, after lengthy negotiations with government officials, the Catholic community was officially allowed to register its activities, bringing an end to the need for secrecy. At that time, four Sisters of the Servants of Jesus in the Eucharist were already serving the parish, helping to organize worship and community events. In October of that year, the congregation once again raised funds to acquire a new prayer house, located in a remote part of the city on Akkulskaya Lane. The building was consecrated in honor of «Our Lady of Perpetual Help,» and during the most difficult times, believers managed to keep an icon of her, which gave them strength.

In the early 1980s, a Lithuanian priest, Father Boleslav Babrauskas, arrived to serve the parish. However, after a few years, for reasons that remain unknown, he was barred from continuing his work and had to return to his homeland. In 1988, a young priest named Otto Messmer from Karaganda came to Tselinograd to take up the role of parish priest.

In 1994, permission was granted to build a new church near the Ak Bulak stream, and construction began within a few months. The first religious services were held in the partially completed church in April 1998, although construction continued for about another year. In June 1999, the Catholic Church in Astana was officially consecrated by Cardinal Joachim Meisner, representing Pope John Paul II. That August, the Pope established the Apostolic Administration, with Astana as its center. In 2003, this administration was elevated to the status of an archdiocese, and the church was officially recognized as the Catholic Cathedral of Astana.

In early autumn of 2001, Pope John Paul II made a historic visit to Kazakhstan. During his trip, he met with local Catholics, clergy, the country’s president, and representatives from the scientific and cultural communities. He also visited the Catholic Cathedral in Astana, making it a key stop during his visit.

In 2012, the cathedral underwent major renovations, ensuring its continued role as a central place of worship for the Catholic community in Kazakhstan.