Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle called on Azerbaijan’s small Catholic community to be “missionaries of hope” as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Church’s revival — a milestone he described as “a special reason to thank the Lord.”
Presiding over a Thanksgiving Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Baku on October 19, the pro-prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization urged the faithful to see their mission not as a task for a few, but as a calling shared by all.
“All of us – priests, religious, lay faithful – are sent to be missionaries of hope, hope in God, hope in the kingdom of God,” Cardinal Tagle said in his homily. “And we proclaim Jesus as our hope among all people, not just to ourselves.”
‘A providential celebration’
The celebration coincided with World Mission Sunday, which the cardinal called “providential,” noting that the universal Church and the Azerbaijani community were united in gratitude and renewal.
“Every Sunday is a day of thanksgiving, but this Sunday we have a special reason to thank the Lord,” he said. “We thank the Lord for the 25th anniversary of establishment of the ‘missio sui iuris’ here in Baku and the 25th anniversary of Salesian mission in Azerbaijan.”
The prelate thanked God, the Salesian community, and the faithful of Azerbaijan for sustaining the Church’s journey over the past quarter-century, saying the anniversary was not merely a remembrance of past achievements but a renewed call to serve with faith and joy.
Reflecting on the day’s readings, the cardinal underscored that true missionary work flows from prayer and humility.
“We cannot produce the fruits that we desire. But God can,” he said. “Prayer is an act of humility and trust in the Lord who performs wonders that we cannot produce.”
From suppression to renewal
The Catholic presence in Azerbaijan was “completely destroyed” during the Soviet era and only began to rebuild after the nation regained independence.
The Church’s revival formally began in 2000, when the Vatican established the missio sui iuris under the care of the Salesians of Don Bosco.
“Much has been done on this blessed path, which began with the visit of Saint Pope John Paul II to Azerbaijan in 2002,” the local Church said in a statement.
The visit paved the way for the construction of the Immaculate Conception Church, the expansion of catechetical programs, and the restoration of regular worship life.
In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI elevated the mission to an Apostolic Prefecture and formalized the Church’s legal status through an agreement with the Republic of Azerbaijan. Since then, local spiritual vocations have begun to emerge.
Gratitude and witness
Cardinal Tagle was joined at the Mass by Bishop Vladimir Fekete, Apostolic Prefect of Azerbaijan; Father Peter Tomko, provincial of the Salesians in Slovakia; and several priests who had previously led the mission, including Fathers Daniel Pravda and Jan Čapla.
In his message of welcome, Bishop Fekete thanked God for the Church’s growth and resilience. “Our little community enjoyed a great honor to welcome Saint Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for the first local vocations and for the many missionaries—priests, religious, and lay volunteers—who had served in Azerbaijan over the years.
