Lukashenko: Belarus has always counted on active support of Catholic church

MINSK, 10 April (BelTA) – Belarus has always counted on active support and aid of the Catholic church, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with Claudio Gugerotti, Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus, on 10 April. The press service of the Belarusian leader quoted Alexander Lukashenko as saying: “Since you are going to the Holy See, I would like you to deliver the warmest and kindest words, congratulations [on the Holy Easter holiday] to Pope Benedict XVI. I have warm recollections of our meeting. It is very topical, what I am talking about, particularly now because I am keeping an eye on mass media in and outside Belarus. Some people are intent on forcing a wedge into our relations with the Pope of Rome. I must tell you it won’t work. We follow the policy of cooperation with the Catholic church. We have done a lot together with you in mutual relations between the state and the Catholic church”. “We have virtually implemented all the plans we outlined while talking to the Pope. Just one step is left to make. An agreement is being prepared. And we are resolute to implement it,” said the President. Alexander Lukashenko said: “I would like to underline once again we have always counted on active support and aid of the Catholic church. I see how some mass media, particularly in Poland and other countries, have responded to my yesterday’s request for the Catholic church to more actively protect interests of hundreds of thousands of Catholic believers that live here. Some treat it as a reproach expressed by the President to the Pope. Trust me I didn’t want to reproach anyone. I didn’t want to demand or ask either. I know that the Pope is well versed in politics and knows what is going on in Belarus. He understands perfectly well that the thousands of Catholic believers, who live here, need his daily support and protection. I would like you and the Pope to know that the President of Belarus and the entire government will follow the policy we have agreed upon”. “In Belarus anyone can go to the church. We have now allowed Orthodox, Catholic believers and other confessions to build as many temples as the people, who live in Belarus, need. We will resolve all problems like this. It is the essence of our policy. No demands attached. But if the Catholic church guards interests of justice, we will always get on well with the Catholic believers and the church. It is our key postulate. Everything should be fair,” stressed the President. “I think the day when the Pope can meet with his adherents in Belarus is not far. We will be glad to see him. We should work in this direction with our patriarch. We are working on it. I think we will be able to build good schemes here and will take good measures that will enhance not only the Catholic church but the entire flock, Orthodox flock, Catholic flock, and other ones in Belarus,” said the head of state. In turn, Claudio Gugerotti assured the President “the Pope has great love and commitment regarding Belarus”. “I am very glad you know about the work we do every day to promote peace, justice and contacts,” he said.

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