Apostolic Prefecture of Azerbaijan


The Apostolic Prefecture of Azerbaijan is a Roman Catholic Apostolic Prefecture in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It is exempt, i.e. directly subject to the Holy See, not part of any ecclesiastical province. It has one church and four chapels situated in Baku, including the pro-cathedral episcopal see Church of the Immaculate Conception. The juristical status is ensured by the local law of the Azerbaijan Republic and is having a special status thanks to the Concordat signed by Pope John Paul II. and former president Heydar Aliyev.

History

It was established on 11 October 2000 as Mission sui iuris of Baku, on territory split from the Apostolic Administration of the Caucasus. In May 2002 it enjoyed a papal visit by John Paul II and in October 2016 by Pope Francis. On 4 August 2011, it was promoted as Apostolic Prefecture of Azerbaijan. As of 2015, the estimated total population in the prefecture is 9,867,250 and 560 are members of the Catholic Church.

Coat of arms

The proposal of coat of arms created by Marek Sobola, a heraldic artist from Slovakia in November 2017.

Incumbents

So far, there are three Monastic Orders: Salesians of Don Bosco, Missionaries of Charity and Salesian Sisters. There is no diocesan priest and only seven of the Salesian community are Catholic priests.
; Apostolic Prefects of Azerbaijan