Organizational Structure of the Catholic Church in Georgia: Dioceses, Apostolic Administration, History and Perspectives

Abstract

The Apostolic Administration of the South Caucasus was established by the Holy See in 1993, encompassing Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan under the jurisdiction of Nuncio Archbishop Jean-Paul Gobel. In 1996, administration was transferred to Father Giuseppe Pasotto, head of the Stigmatine Mission in Kutaisi, marking the beginning of active ecclesiastical development centered in Tbilisi.
Over three decades, the local Catholic Church in Georgia has evolved into a fully self-governing ecclesiastical entity. This development has elevated the Apostolic Administration to a higher organizational level, preparing for the restoration of the episcopal see that existed in Tbilisi centuries ago. The titular see of Sebastopolis (Sukhumi) also exists within Georgian territory as
the legal successor to the 13th-15th century episcopal see. The restoration of the Catholic episcopal see in Tbilisi represents the correction of historical injustice, supported by thirty years of proven ecclesiastical leadership and the historical precedent of 13th-century episcopal sees. in Georgia can be analysed through three distinct phases. The first stage (1993-2024) witnessed the complete formation of the local Latin Rite Catholic Church through parish restoration and establishment, church construction and renovation (including in uncontrolled territories), religious literature publication, educational center creation, media development (print and internet television), systematic religious education, extensive charitable work, clergy training and local priest ordination, pilgrimage organization, catechism programs, interfaith cooperation, government collaboration, monastic establishment in Istanbul, and papal visits. The second transitional stage began in 2024, characterized by the initiation of canonization proceedings for 14th-century Georgian martyr Demetrius Tbileli, the establishment of an ecclesiastical tribunal, increased visibility of the local Catholic Church, and the formal beginning of procedures to restore the Catholic see in Tbilisi.
The third stage will culminate in the transformation of the Latin Rite Apostolic Administration into a full diocese, restoring the Tbilisi Catholic Episcopal See and uniting it with the titular See of Sebastopolis (Sukhumi). This Transformation is projected to occur by 2030, completing the institutional restoration of Catholic episcopal authority in Georgia.