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Build a Parish Center in Kazakhstan Project Code: 351-01-19 Kazakhstan, formerly a part of the Soviet Union in Central Asia, is today in area the ninth largest nation on earth. However there are just 16 million people living here. Approximately 51.6% of the population professes Islam, and another 34% have no religious affiliation. Of the 13.5% who are Christians, they are of various different confessions, mostly Orthodox, while there are roughly 190,000 Catholics. For the most part, they are the descendants of Eastern Europeans who were deported here to Central Asia, such as Poles and Ukrainians. The city of Aktau has a population of some 200,000 inhabitants and was established in the 1960s in the desert, where rich deposits of uranium had been found. Uranium mines were established, as well as a power station, too. In the early 1990s, following the collapse of the old Soviet Union, the uranium mines and power station were closed down, so that the town threatened to gradually die out because there was no more work for the people. However, a few years later, oil was discovered in the area, which led to a revival and new development of the town. By now major international companies from Western Europe, North and Central America and Asia are present here. Along with the development of the town and the consequent influx of foreigners employed in the petroleum industry, there has also been a growth in the size of the Catholic community. However, the nearest Catholic churches are situated 450 and 580 miles away. The Catholic Parish of Aktau was established in 2006, but as yet has no church of its own. Up to now Holy Mass has been celebrated in a small chapel in one room of a private tower block apartment, which the parish acquired for its activities in 2007. Of course it is far too small as a parish center. Now the parish plans to build a new center that will be able to meet the needs of the local Catholic community. ACN has agreed to help with a contribution of $9,600. Will you us in supporting the building of this parish center in Kazakhstan? This project is an example of our work. Your donation will be attributed either to this or to another similar project that accords with the pastoral needs that ACN witnesses.
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Keeping the Faith Alive
