Belarusian officials insulting Protestants

The methods of pressure on the Protestant churches haven’t been changed - the believers are not allowed to register their communities, built the churches or conduct services. But recently the insults and threatens have been joined to these methods.

Pastor of the Christians of Evangelical Faith Church “God’s Church” Henadz Kernazhytski during his visit to Minsk City Executive Committee heard that the Belarusian capital Protestants “are breeding like cats”, that’s why they wouldn’t receive a permission on the land lease. Ala Rabitsava, head of the department on the affairs of the religions and nationalities at the Minsk City Executive Committee took the liberty to say these statements.

Henadz Kernazhytski says that the official didn’t stop herself on the insults and threatens. She demanded to give her the full list of the “God’s Church” believers. The problems of the Protestant have began after Pastor Kernazhytski and his church-goers began to support the Minsk church “New Life”.

“There were no answers to our applications to the Minsk City Executive Committee, but they began to pounce our documents. On my question why we are not allowed to lease a building or land, she answered: “What can I do if you are breeding like cats?” Naturally, I paid her attention that it was an insult, but there were no results. Than Rabitsava began to demand the list of our church-goers, and even more, the forms we have on everybody. I refused, saying that it was our Bishop Siarhei Khomich’s decision, and a secret. Than it was found out that Rabitsava phoned Bishop Khomich and shouted at him.

The reason there is in the common attitude to the Protestants and the personal attitude to us of Mrs. Rabitsava. I worked in Berazino earlier. We hadn’t any problems with the authorities. The city authorities saw we were doing good, organized charitable works.

As the believers we are praying and asking God to change the situation. I call on the believers to pray for the authorities, officials, for them to come to God. Because if one is far from God, he or she is far from morality, too”, - the Pastor said to Polskie Radio.

But Rabitsava said Kernazhytski that soon a warning would be brought to the church.