European Catholic bishops lobby to get Minsk’ archbishop home

Catholic bishops in Europe have called on the Belarus president to allow Minsk’s Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz back into the country.

The Council of the Bishops’ Conferences of Europe (CCEE) in a statement on Thursday called for Kondrusiewicz’s “immediate return home”.  

"The CCEE Presidency expresses the closeness of the entire European Episcopate to Monsignor Kondrusiewicz and to the Church in Belarus in this delicate matter... and a resumption of his episcopal ministry."

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also called for allowing Kondrusiewicz to return home “so he can tend to his flock during the ongoing protests”. 

Border guards on Monday blocked Archbishop Kondrusiewicz from entering Belarus from neighboring Poland where he participated in celebrations in honour of Our Lady of Częstochowa. 

Kondrusiewicz, 74, a Belarus citizen, was born to an ethnic Polish family. He is the most senior Catholic prelate in Belarus. 

The archbishop of Minsk-Mohilev has spoken out in defense of the ongoing protest following a disputed presidential election Aug. 9. 

Alexander Lukashenko, who has been president for the past 26 years and who claimed to have won the election, said the archbishop had been barred because he had “dragged Catholic believers” into politics.

Belarus, a country of 9.5 million people, has seen widespread protests since Lukashenko was declared the winner of the presidential election with 80  percent of the vote. Protests have continued across the country despite a severe crackdown. 

Last week, Archbishop Kondrusiewicz issued a statement criticizing riot police for blocking people from seeking refuge in a church in Minsk and on Aug. 19, he prayed outside a pre-trial detention center where anti-government protesters were being held. 

On this past Thursday, Kondrusiewicz’s message was read out during a service in Minsk cathedral where he said he was praying “for the solution of the socio-political crisis in our country ... and my speedy return to my homeland”.

Catholics, comprising roughly 15 percent of the population, make up the second-largest religious community in Belarus after Orthodox Christians.

Pope Francis in his Angelus address August 16 has also appealed for justice and dialogue in Belarus.

“I carefully follow the post-electoral situation in this country and appeal for dialogue, the rejection of violence and respect for justice and law. I entrust all Belarusians to the protection of Our Lady, Queen of Peace,” he said.