Lukashenko urges priests “to do their own job”, not politics
Alexander Lukashenko. Photo: newsone.ua
On August 22, 2020, during a rally in Grodno, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko called on representatives of religious confessions not to interfere in politics, reports BElTA.
“I am surprised at the position of our confessions. My dear clergymen, settle down and do your own job. People should come to temples to pray! Churches are not for politics. People should follow their soul there, as it has always been,” Lukashenko said.
He called on representatives of various churches “not to follow the lead of frindge elements”: “you will be ashamed and shameful for the position you, some of you, take now. And the state will not look at it with indifference”.
Lukashenko said that there are no problems with the national issue in Belarus and this state of affairs should be preserved. “In no case should interethnic strife be allowed. This will be the last thing we will do before we put an end to our multinational country,” the President of Belarus noted.
As reported earlier, according to Lukashenka, "the restoration of the Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church" will plunge the country into an interfaith war".
Read also
ROCOR Priest Reflects on Trip to Capitol Hill
Archpriest Victor Boldewskul participated in the Society of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco's Day of Action to raise awareness about the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Hundreds of Chinese Christians Arrested in Pre-Christmas Crackdown
Hundreds of Chinese Christians face spending Christmas in detention after authorities launched a sweeping pre-holiday crackdown on churches under Beijing’s campaign to control religious life.
Ukraine Adviser: UOC Not Banned, but Offered a 'Choice' of Jurisdictions
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said the UOC is not banned but pressured to choose between joining the OCU, submitting to Constantinople, or remaining unregistered, while dismissing international concerns as propaganda.
Indiana Reports 98% Drop in Abortions Under Stricter Law
Indiana’s latest health report shows a 98% drop in reported abortions under stricter laws, though dozens still occurred under legal exceptions and concerns persist about unreported pill abortions.
Armenian Apostolic Church Pushes Back on Political Encroachment
The Armenian Apostolic Church plans to appeal to international bodies to resist government interference and defend its clergy and sacred relics.
Attempted Takeover at Armenian Etchmiadzin Cathedral Thwarted by Faithful
Supporters of Armenian PM Pashinyan attempted to storm Etchmiadzin Cathedral amid calls for the Catholicos’s resignation but were blocked by parishioners and security.