 Catholic Church in Kosovo | |
|---|---|
| Kisha Katolike e Kosoves | |
 Curch of Letnica | |
| Type | National polity |
| Classification | Catholic |
| Orientation | Latin |
| Scripture | Bible |
| Theology | Catholic theology |
| Polity | Episcopal |
| Pope | Francis |
| Region | Kosovo |
| Language | Albanian, Latin |
| Headquarters | Prishtina, Kosovo |
| Number of followers | 65,000 |
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The Catholic Church has a population of approximately 65,000 in a region of roughly 2 million people.[1]
Another 60,000 Kosovan Catholics are outside the region, mainly for work.[2] They are mainly ethnic Albanians, with a few Croats.
The Diocese of Prizren-Pristina (until 5 September 2018, an Apostolic Administration of Prizren) is the ecclesiastical district of the Catholic Church in Kosovo. It is centered in the city of Prizren. Bishop Dodë Gjergji serves as diocesan bishop as of 2019[update]. As of 2019[update], the Holy See does not recognise Kosovo as a sovereign state (see also Holy See's reaction to the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence).
However, as stated by Bishop Dodë Gjergji, the Kosovan prelate of the Diocese of Prizren-Pristina, in an interview with RTV Dukagjini on December 12, 2020, “The Vatican has two segments: the Vatican as the seat of the Catholic Church and as a state. Pope Francis has raised our church from the Church of Kosovo to the Church of Prizren-Pristina, just like the bishops all over the world. Therefore, religiously we are very fine. The state aspect is a diplomatic aspect.”[3]
- ^ US State Dept 2022 report
- ^ "In Kosovo, whole families return to Catholic faith" Archived 2009-02-11 at the Library of Congress Web Archives catholicnews.com 9 February 2009 Link accessed 21 March 2010
- ^ "Don Lush Gjergji: Në aspektin fetar Vatikani e ka njohur Kosovën, në aspektin politik fajet i ka diplomacia" Archived 2020-12-30 at the Wayback Machine telegrafi.com December 26, 2020. Link accessed March 17, 2023.