Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 4 July (BelTA) - Belarus has been able to secure inter-faith peace and harmony, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said as he met with President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue Jean-Louis Tauran on 4 July, BelTA learned.

“I welcome you on our Belarusian land and I am happy to see you here. I really hope that your visit will be successful and that today we have no issues to be worried about or the issues that could grow into the problems tomorrow,” the head of state said.

The President said that in Belarus there are 25 religious denominations, and there is inter-religious peace and stability. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the biggest denomination is the Russian Orthodox Church. The Roman Catholic Church is the second largest. “I am happy to see the two major Churches find, finding the ways for cooperation,” said Alexander Lukashenko. The President described these relations as constructive and useful to the state.

The President noted that in recent years much has been done for churches, including the Roman Catholic Church. For example, a decision has been recently adopted to build the Catholic Education Center.

“We have no irresolvable issues. I would like to assure you and will ask you to convey this to the Pope that the Catholic Church, as before, will occupy a worthy place in Belarus,” the head of state said. The President emphasized that the citizens of Belarus have and will have absolute freedom of religious belief and worship.