Belarusian Authorities Order Three Polish Catholic Priests Out Of Country

The officials have not bothered to explain the reasons why they expel the people involved in construction and restoration of the Belarusian sanctuaries.

The Belarusian authorities have failed to renew the permits for the pastoral service of three Polish priests of the Minsk and Mahiliou Archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church of Belarus.

The official portal of of the Roman Catholic Church has published the message of Methropolitan of Minsk and Mahiliou Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, according to which the pastoral service permit of prior of the St.Kaziemerz Parish in Mahiliou Father Roman Szulc, prior of the Michael the Archangel Parish in Ivianets (Minsk region) Father Lech Bochanek and prior of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and St. Christopher Parish in Kalodzishchy (Minsk district) father Jerzy Kotowski have not been renewed, BelaPAN news agency reports.

Methropolitan Kondrusiewicz also informs that, on July 11 he, together with Diocesan Vicar of Mahiliou region Aliaksandr Yasheuski met with Commissioner for the Affairs of Religions and Nationalities of the Republic of Belarus Leanid Huliaka to find out the reason for denial these priests in pastoral service and to ask to reconsider this decision.

"However, with my deepest regret I have to inform that we were told no concrete reasons for such decision and heard a drastic denial in an opportunity for their further service in Belarus,” — the Catholic hierarch has noted.

He has underlined that the above-mentioned priests “conducted a long-term and fruitful service to the faithful of Belarus – they built and restored Catholic churches, catechised, wereengaged in charity and the Christian rising of children and youth”.

"Just look at the Michael the Archangel Parish in Ivianets, which resurrected out of the oblivion as a masterpiece of sacral architecture due to the efforts of father Lech Bochanek, — notes the Methropolitan of Minsk and Mahiliou. — Just see how many children come to the playground near the Church, that he has made for them, every day! Just note how many opportinities he has created for youngsters, girls and adults to go in for sports and live healthy lives! The “Musical Workshops” and “Parish Olympics”, organized by him, are widely known not only in Belarus, but far abroad.”

Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz called on the faithful “to thank these priests from all their hearts for their devoted and sacrificial work for the revival of the Catholic Church in Belarus”, to pray for the blessing for their “further service for the glory of God and the salvation of the people”.