BISHOPS OF CENTRAL ASIA, AZERBAIJAN, RUSSIA AND BELARUS MET IN ASTANA

On September 19-22, the Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, took part in a fraternal meeting of bishops and ordinaries of Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan and Mongolia.

The heads of the Local Churches exchanged experiences and discussed current issues of evangelization and pastoral care.

As part of the meeting, the bishops and ordinaries visited the memorial complex in Akmola, where from 1938 to 1953 there was a concentration camp for the “wives of traitors of motherland” (“Akmola Camp of the wives of traitors of motherland” – A.L.J.I.R.).

The meeting participants also visited the Greek Catholic and Orthodox churches of the capital of Kazakhstan.

On September 20, at the Holy Mass on the day of remembrance of the Korean martyrs, Bishop Vladimir Fekete addressed the congregation with sermon.

On September 21, a concert was given in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Astana in memory of the visits of the Popes to Kazakhstan.

On September 23, the meeting of bishops and ordinaries of the countries of Central Asia, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus concluded its work.