State Dept demands Belarus authorities let Catholic head into the country
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Photo: media.voltron.voanews.com
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanded that the Belarusian authorities allow the re-entry of the head of Belarusian Catholics, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Minsk-Mogilev, who was not allowed to cross the border of the Republic the day before.
“Belarusian authorities should allow the re-entry of Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, so he can tend to his flock during the ongoing protests,” Pompeo wrote on his Twitter.
The head of the State Department stressed that the leader of the Belarusian Catholics and all Belarusian people "must be allowed to exercise their fundamental freedoms, including freedom to worship."
As the UOJ reported, on August 31, 2020, Belarusian border guards did not allow the head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, who was returning from Poland, into the country. The next day, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Abp. Kondrusiewicz "received certain tasks" in Poland, and therefore he was blocked from entering the republic.
Read also
In Ukraine, Trump’s 'spiritual advisor' reassured of religious freedom
Pastor Mark Burns stated that Ukraine, despite the war, is a "beacon of religious freedom."
Lavra brethren congratulate Metropolitan Pavel on 31 years as abbot
The monks of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra have expressed hope that they will soon be able to pray again with their abbot.
Amsterdam: Intrusion into Lavra Caves – a return to Soviet-era persecution
International lawyer Robert Amsterdam has condemned the actions of Ukraine’s Ministry of Culture regarding the inspection of holy relics in the Caves of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, calling it a violation of religious freedom.
Over 20 EU states condemn Hungary for ban on LGBT propaganda among children
“This restricts the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression,” diplomats state in a joint declaration.
His Beatitude officiates consecration of Bishop of Rakhiv
At the Church of St. Agapitus in the Lavra, the Primate of the UOC ordained a vicar for the Khust Eparchy.
Met Victor: It is painful to see Lavra's relics turned into test subjects
According to the bishop, there is particular concern over how members of the scientific commission will handle the holy relics.