The Role of Georgian Catholics in the Struggle for National Independence

Abstract

Since the eighteenth century, Georgian Catholics—colloquially referred to as "the French“—have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the independence and sovereignty of Georgia. Whether residing within the homeland or in diaspora, they consistently united around the broader Georgian national cause, a dedication vividly documented in émigré memoirs preserved
across Europe and South America. Among the periodicals of the Georgian political émigré press, particular scholarly attention is drawn to the nineteenth issue of the journal Bedi Kartlisa, which carries an account entitled „The Opening of the Georgian Catholic
Church in Paris.“ According to this source, on January 9, 1955, the Georgian Catholic Church was inaugurated at 23 Rue Jean-Goujon. The consecration ceremony was attended by Georgian Catholics residing in Paris, members of the broader Georgian diaspora, and distinguished foreign guests. The representative of the Episcopate, Monsignor Rupp, delivered a notable address in
which he characterized the Georgian nation as a people of exceptional historical and cultural significance, underscoring its contribution to the spiritual and civilizational heritage of humanity. Subsequently, Father Meleti, head of the Georgian Catholic community, delivered a speech of profound patriotic resonance, acknowledging the formative influence of Father Shalva Vardidze on his own commitment to the Georgian Church and national cause. The liturgical service was accompanied by a Georgian choir conducted by D. Kldiashvili. Further testimony is provided by Alexander Manvelishvili’s Diaries and Memoirs, which portrays Shalva Vardidze as a figure of inexhaustible dedication. During the Second World War, Vardidze – as a Catholic clergyman – was
captured and subsequently exiled to Beirut, where he continued his scholarly and advocacy activities, publishing two Arabic-language brochures on Georgia. He also formally responded to Armenian claims published in the American press regarding the ethnic identity of the poet Rustaveli, defending Georgian cultural heritage with documented argumentation. Vardidze’s life exemplifies the self-sacrificial commitment of Georgian Catholics to their nation’s freedom and cultural integrity.
The historical record thus attests to the profound patriotic devotion exhibited by Georgians across both confessional traditions – Orthodox and Catholic—in the service of their homeland’s independence and national identity.