May 3, 2025 – Astana. Representatives of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Central Asia visited the Dormition Cathedral and the Spiritual and Cultural Administrative Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolis named after the Equals-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Central Asia is a permanent body that unites Catholic bishops across the region of Central Asia (including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Mongolia) and coordinates their activities.
The visiting delegation included: Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Archbishop George Panamthundil; Archbishop Metropolitan Tomasz Peta, Ordinary of the Archdiocese of St. Mary in Astana; Bishop José Luis Mumbiela Sierra, Ordinary of the Diocese of the Holy Trinity in Almaty; Bishop Adelio Dell’Oro, Ordinary of the Diocese of Karaganda; Bishop Jerzy Maculewicz, Apostolic Administrator of Uzbekistan; Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of Azerbaijan; Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Vicar of the Archdiocese of St. Mary in Astana; Bishop Yevgeny Zinkovsky, Vicar of the Diocese of Karaganda; Mitred Protopriest Vasyl Hovera, Apostolic Administrator for Byzantine Rite Catholics in Kazakhstan and Central Asia; Priest Anthony Corcoran, Apostolic Administrator in Kyrgyzstan; Priest Peter Sakmar, Apostolic Administrator of the Apostolic Administration of Atyrau; Priest Andrzej Madej, head of the sui iuris mission in Turkmenistan; Priest Pedro Ramiro Lopez, head of the sui iuris mission in Tajikistan; Priest Giuseppe Scalese, responsible for the sui iuris mission in Afghanistan; and the press secretary of the Conference, Priest Piotr Pytlowany.
By the blessing of the Head of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan, the guests were received by Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev), Dean of the parishes of Astana, and Protopriest Dimitry Baydek, sacristan of the Dormition Cathedral.
Archimandrite Sergiy conducted a tour for the members of the Conference, speaking about the construction and beautification of the cathedral, the wall and vault frescoes painted by a team of iconographers from the town of Palekh (Ivanovo Region, Russia), and the creation of the carved gilded iconostasis and icon cases, made by craftsmen of the Fyodor Stratilat Art Workshop (Kostroma, Russia) in 17th-century style and adorned with icons painted by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation S.N. Sokolov. The capital’s dean emphasized that the Dormition Cathedral has been visited by prominent political, religious, and public figures, including Primates and hierarchs of Orthodox Churches, leaders of traditional confessions, presidents, and heads of government.
Before the cathedral’s holy relics, members of the delegation lit candles.
The guests then proceeded to visit the Spiritual and Cultural Center of the Kazakhstan Metropolis named after the Equals-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius. Father Sergiy spoke about the educational and youth projects carried out at the Center, and showed the chapel dedicated to the Astana-Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, the church assembly hall, the Synod meeting hall of the Metropolis, and the classrooms for the Sunday school.
The conversation between the dean and the delegation continued in the fireplace hall of the Spiritual and Cultural Center.
During the meeting, Archimandrite Sergiy (Karamyshev) informed the guests about the life of the Kazakhstan Metropolis, presented statistics on the number of dioceses, parishes, and clergy, and spoke about the plans of the Church authorities to implement educational, cultural, youth, and social initiatives.
The meeting concluded in a warm atmosphere with an exchange of well-wishes for success in good works and undertakings.
Bishops’ Conferences in the Catholic Church emerged as a distinctive institution following the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). The Council’s participants considered it “highly appropriate that everywhere bishops of the same country or region should form one group, meeting at fixed times so that, by sharing opinions, experience and advice, sacred cooperation for the common good of the Churches may grow” (Decree Christus Dominus, 37). According to current canonical law in the Catholic Church, “A conference of bishops is a permanent institution, a grouping of bishops of a certain country or a certain territory who jointly exercise certain pastoral functions for the faithful of Christ living in that territory, in order to promote the greater good which the Church offers to mankind, especially through forms and programs of the apostolate fittingly adapted to the circumstances of time and place” (Code of Canon Law, can. 447). Pope Benedict XVI emphasized the importance of this institution, stating in his magisterial teaching on bishops’ conferences: “The bishops’ conference contributes to the unity of efforts and intentions among bishops, becoming an instrument that helps them carry their burdens together.”
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Central Asia was established in 2021. Its plenary sessions are held twice a year. One of the bishops is elected chairman of the conference for a three-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms.
From April 28 to May 4, 2025, the 4th Plenary Session of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Central Asia took place in the Archdiocese of the Most Holy Mary in Astana, at the National Shrine of the Queen of Peace in Ozernoye. Participating in the session were bishops and ordinaries from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Azerbaijan. The Apostolic Nuncio to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, His Excellency Archbishop George Panamthundil, attended the opening segments of the session.
Cardinal Giorgio Marengo of Mongolia was unable to attend due to his departure to Rome to take part in the funeral of Pope Francis and the papal conclave.
Main
Login or register, to write a comment!
Your comment has been successfully added and is currently being reviewed by the site administration