Tadevush Kandrusevich: I Am With My People, and the People Are With Me!

The Belarusian Hierarch spoke about his life near Białystok and his visit to the Vatican.

Archbishop Tadevush Kandrusevich spent several days in the Vatican. The hours-long meeting at the State Secretariat was constructive, the Belarusian Hierarch admitted in an interview with Vatican News.

"We talked for a long time about the complexity of the situation in Belarus and in the local Church. The meeting was also devoted to finding ways to solve the difficult situation that I personally find myself in today. I want to say that the Holy See is really making a lot of efforts to solve the problem faster. I hope that the next steps that will be taken by the Holy See will help to resolve the problem as soon as possible," the Archbishop said.

The Hierarch came to the Vatican at the invitation of The State Secretariat. The visit's main purpose was to meet with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of state of His Holiness, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for relations of the Holy See with states.

Recall that in mid-September 2020, a Vatican delegation visited Belarus, which held talks with both state authorities and the Catholic episcopate. There was not much information, but Archbishop Kandrusevich is sure that everything possible is being done.

"We don't know the whole "kitchen" of negotiations, and sometimes less information is better for business. I am very grateful that the Holy Father sent Archbishop Gallagher to Belarus, that he held talks, met with the bishops, and learned about the situation first - hand," the Hierarch said.

Since the moment when the Metropolitan of Minsk-Mahileu was not allowed to enter Belarus, he lives in one of the parishes of the Polish Sokółka, just a few kilometers from the border with Belarus. And the management of the Church is carried out at a distance, using new means of communication.

"I am even happy that I am now in the parish of St. Antony because it has a connection with my native Adelsk. I have a place to sleep, a place to live, and I thank you for your concern, although I would not wish anyone to be in such a situation," the Archbishop admitted.

He participates in many events that take place in Belarus, thanks to video broadcasts. "It is important for me to see people, and it is important for believers to unite with their Bishop. There is also other work: invitations and letters come, the curia sends them to me, and I respond to them. As the Chairman of the bishops' conference, I take part in meetings remotely," the Hierarch described his activities.

It so happened that the time of the visit to the Vatican coincided with the 31st anniversary of the Episcopal consecration, which Archbishop Kandrusevich personally dedicated on October 20, 1989. John Paul II. The Belarusian Hierarch noted that he had never intended to go to Rome before, but the situation seemed to have brought him here.

"I went to the Basilica of St. Peter to pray and thank for 31 years of service and, of course, to ask God through the intercession of my patron Saint. Jude Thaddeus parish on the decision of this difficult situation. I prayed not only in my intention; I am a secondary figure. I prayed for Belarus. As you know, the crisis has existed for a long time, and we do not know how to get out of it, so in this symbolic place, I prayed for a peaceful and speedy solution to it: it is necessary for all residents of our country, it is necessary for the whole world," the Archbishop said.

Soon, 2 months will pass since the Chairman of the episcopate of Belarus was not allowed to return home, but the Hierarch does not feel abandoned and is very grateful to everyone for their help – physical and prayerful.

"It seems that everything possible is being done; I try to encourage myself, trusting everything to God, and be together with people, if not physically, then spiritually. Their prayers and concern, a lot of congratulations - all this is a sign of solidarity. I am not abandoned. I am with my people, and the people are with me!" said Archbishop Kandrusevich.