Sisters from the Russian Orthodox convent of St. Elizabeth the Royal Martyr in Minsk, Belarus, said they have received a warm welcome in Ireland despite their country's support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Ireland's strong support for Ukrainians.
Sister Helen Volynets and
Priests and lay Catholics from Belarus said they still hope their church's situation will improve, despite the continued arrests of clergy and new religious restrictions that are imminent.
"Priests are being targeted on various pretexts, and many Catholics feel pressured and harassed," explained
A Catholic parish priest accused of "offending state authorities" in Belarus said he understood the hardships facing prisoners of conscience after just four days in jail.
"I wouldn't wish this on anyone -- not a single hour in such a place," said Father
Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Minsk, Belarus, who had been blocked from entering his homeland for four months until negotiations between the Vatican and the Belarusian authorities allowed him back in time for Christmas.
The Vatican announced the
After almost four months in exile, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Minsk returned to his people and his cathedral in time to celebrate Christmas.
Just after crossing the border from Poland into Belarus Dec. 24, he said he stopped the car, got out, knelt,
Banned from entering Belarus since late August, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Minsk, president of the country's bishops' conference, can return to the country to celebrate Christmas with his people, the country's nuncio said.
Archbishop Ante Jozic, the nuncio, announced Dec. 22 that the
The president of the Belarusian bishops' conference has been barred from reentering his country from abroad, after warning in a pastoral letter that the nation's worsening crisis could spill into civil war.
"Returning to Minsk, I was not allowed in at the Kuznica-Bialystok
Bishops in Belarus demanded an end to repression and confirmed Catholic clergy and laypeople were beaten and jailed during street protests following disputed Aug. 9 elections.
"The beating of peaceful demonstrators who want to know the truth, their cruel treatment and inhumane detention,