# Faith and Education Bridges in Kazakhstan

> A German priest's school in Northern Kazakhstan builds intercultural understanding through faith-based education.
- Title: Faith and Education Bridges in Kazakhstan · Vaticannews
- Summary: A German priest's school in Northern Kazakhstan builds intercultural understanding through faith-based education. St. Lawrence School in Kornewka…
- Keywords: st lawrence school, kazakhstan, cornewka, catholic, orthodox, protestant, muslim, german priest, interfaith education, digital skills, artificial intelligence, ai applications
- Source: Vaticannews — https://vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2026-10/building-bridges-between-faith-and-a-future-in-kazakhstan.html
- Author: Vatican News
- Published: 2026-10-15T12:46:02.139+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: st lawrence school, kazakhstan, cornewka, catholic, orthodox, protestant, muslim, german priest, interfaith education, digital skills, artificial intelligence, ai applications
## St. Lawrence School in Kornewka
A school founded by a German priest in Northern Kazakhstan nurtures intercultural understanding and technological skills.
## School's Genesis
Founded in 1996 by Fr. Lorenz Gawol with 11 children, it now serves over 200 students from Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Muslim families.
## Post-Soviet Uncertainty
After the Soviet Union collapsed, Fr. Gawol stayed in Kazakhstan to serve children who remained despite German families leaving.
## Interfaith Education Approach
Fr. Leopold Kropfreiter says the school conveys a Christian vision of the human person through education, ethics, and personal development.
## Digital Skills Development
The school introduced digital skills courses in 2026, providing computers and ai training for students to create applications and games.
## Future Opportunities
Around 25 to 30 students study in Germany and Austria, while technology skills prepare young people for the digital economy.
## Key takeaway

St. Lawrence School in Kornewka, Kazakhstan, offers interfaith education and digital skills to over 200 students from diverse religious backgrounds.