The Catholic Church in Bulgaria and the community identities of its members during 19th and first half of 20th century

The text is an attempt to defend a new perspective to the study of Bulgarian Catholics, which opposes to the widely spread but incorrect idea that they are a united monolithic community. The author’s discussion of the history of the Catholic church outlines the different historical and cultural situations of the formation of the Catholic communities, the different circumstances of their association with Pome, the condition of their extend and development, as well as their relations. The analysis brings into sharp relief the different trajectories of the Catholic groups (communities) and the resulting differences between them. It leads to an understanding of the foundations of the group identities.