Polish catholic priests to remain in Belarus


Father Lech Bochanek (left) during pilgrimage to Budslau

This was announced by the Department for Religious and Ethnic Affairs of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus to the Curia of the Minsk-Mahiliou Archdiocese.

Priests Father Roman Schultz – the prior of St. Kazimir in Mahiliou, a Conventual Franciscan Lech Bochanek – the parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Ivyanets and.. Jerzy Kotowskiy – the prior of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St.Christoph in Kolodishchi (Minsk district) will continue their pastoral activity, catholic.by reports.

It is unknown how long the priests will have the permission for service in Belarus.

“We are open to dialogue with the government. The body (Department of the Commissioner for Religious and Ethnic Affairs) exists for this very purpose: to warn the Curia about any misunderstandings, to establish contacts, to have a dialogue. Today, this dialogue exists, and we are grateful for it,” said press secretary of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in a conversation with belapan.by.

No one knows why Belarusian authorities want to get rid of the priests. According to one version, the expulsion of priests from Belarus is one of the tools of the official Minsk which is used in the dialogue with Warsaw.

In 2013 the Belarusian secret services arrested Lazarus priest who was suspected of spying. The head of Belarus then called him a “traitor”. The priest was held in the KGB jail for 6 months. Later, the case was closed and the priest was released.

The last case of the Polish priest’s removal from Belarus took place in May. Priest Andrzej Stopyra had to stop his activities in our country. He had in Belarus for 25 years.

Photo: catholic.by

belsat.eu,  belapan.by, catholic.by

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