Events

MINSK, 4 October (BelTA) – Belarus would like to thank the Roman Catholic Church for its constructive and balanced approach to preserving interfaith accord. Belarusian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vladimir Makei made the statement during the event held on 4 October to mark the opening of new premises of the Apostolic Nunciature in Minsk and the 25^th anniversary since diplomatic relations between Belarus and the Holy See were established, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Makei described Catholicism as one of the key conventional religions in Belarus. “Various religions and faiths have coexisted in Belarus for centuries. They have formed a truly unique cultural image of our country. It is a matter of special pride and of the tangible contribution our country makes to peace and security in the world,” said Vladimir Makei.

“We are grateful to the Roman Catholic Church for the constructive and balanced approach towards preserving interfaith accord in Belarus, for the willingness to deal with all kinds of matters via a dialogue based on mutual respect and understanding,” said Vladimir Makei.

The Belarusian minister of foreign affairs believes that the fact that Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Deputy Secretary of State of the Vatican, was present during the event confirmed the high level of bilateral contacts and the Holy See’s unwavering attention to Belarus. Vladimir Makei said he hopes cooperation with the Holy See would continue growing stronger across the board.

Vladimir Makei wished fruitful work to the apostolic nuncio and his team in the new building where new ideas meant to advance Belarus’ cooperation with the Vatican are bound to be born.

Belarus’ Commissioner for Religions and Nationalities Leonid Gulyako, Deputy Secretary of State of the Vatican Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Apostolic Nuncio to Belarus, Archbishop Gabor Pinter, Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, Metropolitan of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus Pavel, representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Belarus took part in the ceremony to open the new premises of the apostolic nunciature.