title: Apostolic Administration of Atyrau
text: # 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 Roman Catholic Church in this country, namely of the metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Nur-Sultan.
  
  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 Roman Catholic 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 (1999.07.07 – 2011.02.05), Titular Bishop of Phelbes (2006.09.15 – 2011.02.05);
     * stayed on as Apostolic Administrator ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of Atyrau (Kazakhstan) (2011.02.05 – 2012.12.07) while elevated to the see of Karaganda, then went on solely as Bishop of Karaganda
  * Adelio Dell’Oro (2012.12.07 – 2015.05.16), Titular Bishop of Castulo
  * Fr. Dariusz Buras (2015.05.16 – 2020.12.08)
  * Fr. Peter Sakmár (2020.12.08 - ...)
  
  ## 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
  