Letter #23, Monday, September 14, 2020: No passport

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Letter #23, Monday, September 14, 2020: No passport

[2020-09-15]

[Engleză]

Correction: In my Letter #21 of August 10, entitled "Again, the Council," I identified the well-known American Franciscan Capuchin theologian Father Thomas Weinandy, OFM Cap., in the opening caption as a "Dominican." Dozens of readers quickly sent in a correction: Weinandy is not a Dominican, but a Franciscan Capuchin. I apologize to Father Weinandy and all readers for this mistake. —RM

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 No Passport

 Belarus: Political Tensions Lead to Problems for the Catholic Archbishop. Archbishop Kondrusiewicz Deprived of Belarusian Passport

 The following is a report earlier today from Minsk, the quite beautiful capital of Belarus, where I was able to visit Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz — who had formerly been the brave and tireless archbishop of the Catholic Church in Moscow — for a week-long conference in 2014 (link):

 Minsk, September 14, Interfax -- Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, who was traveling from Poland, has been denied entry to Belarus due to an invalid passport, the official website of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus said, citing the response received from the Belarusian State Border Committee.

 "The letter signed by Belarusian State Border Committee Chairman Anatoly Lappo indicates the following reason why border guards have not allowed the metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev to enter Belarus: 'Please be advised that you have been prohibited from crossing the state border due to the Interior Ministry's decision to invalidate your passport, that of a citizen of the Republic of Belarus, (passport number),'" a statement on the website said.

 Kondrusiewicz was denied entry into Belarus from Poland on August 31 without explanation.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Kondrusiewicz was denied entry as "he had received an assignment in Poland."

 The Conference of Catholic Bishops said later that the ban on the return of Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, a citizen of Belarus, contravenes the current legislation.

 =======

 And here is a second report from the same site (link):

 Catholics organize procession in Minsk to stop "persecution of the Church," to bring back Kondrusiewicz

 Minsk, September 14, Interfax -- A procession of believers from every Catholic diocese of Minsk took place on the premises of the Holy Trinity Church on Friday to pray for the end of "persecution of the Church" and the return of Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz to Belarus.

 According to the statement published on the official website of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, the procession was organized by believers from the oldest Catholic diocese of Minsk and their senior priest Yury Sanko, while the joint prayer was led by Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Minsk and Mogilev, Bishop Yury Kosobutsky.

 "Bishop Kosobutsky said that the illegal ban on the return of Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz dealt a blow to the entire Catholic community of the country, which was left without its leader," the statement said.

 Kosobutsky highlighted the need for self-improvement and the impermissibility of judging others. "The hierarch said that the song by Viktor Tsoi about the desire of change had lately become very popular and noted that everyone should start the change from oneself, in one's heart. A prayer, solidarity, and a kind attitude to all people without exception, including those who offend you, help do that," the statement said.

 Head of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz was denied crossing into Belarus from Poland on August 31 without explanation.

 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said that Kondrusiewicz had been denied entry to Belarus as "he had received an assignment in Poland."

 The Conference of Catholic Bishops said later that the ban on the return of Archbishop Kondrusiewicz, a citizen of Belarus, contravened the current legislation.

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 A talk with the exiled archbishop: "We must pray"

 I called Archbishop Kondrusiewicz and reached him in Poland.

 He said that he is fine, but that he would like to return to pastor his flock in Minsk.

 He said he was surprised when he was not permitted to return to Minsk after traveling to Poland in August "to attend the First Communion of the daughter of my niece."

 He said he is praying for a peaceful resolution of the political tensions in Belarus.

 "We must pray," he said. "We must all pray. That is the most important thing."

 The photos above, at the top, are of Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Minsk, capital of Belarus (left), and of the long-time President of Belarus — often referred to in the press as "Europe's last dictator" — Alexander Lukashenko (right).

 Circumstances have now led to a direct confrontation between the two.

 Lukashenko's recent re-election as president, with a reported 80% of the vote on August 9, has been denounced for five weeks now by tens of thousands of demonstrators, who contend the vote was certainly "rigged."

 The demonstrators have called on Lukashenko to admit the vote was unfair and to agree to hold a new election.

 Lukashenko has denied any election rigging, claiming instead that the demonstrators are agitators supported by "foreign powers" interested in "de-stabilizing" Belarus.

 Archbishop Kondrusiewicz was the first major Church leader in Belarus to speak out concerning the protests, calling on all sides to engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve the tensions.

 And now he has lost his passport to re-enter the country, and it is not clear when he will be able to return.

 Today Kondrusiewicz was in nearby Poland. He has been there for two weeks, since he was prevented by Belarus authorities from returning to Minsk.  

 Lukashenko was also not in Belarus today.

 He was in Russia, to meet with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, in the Black Sea coastal resort city of Sochi. (photo below).

 (Here below are additional reports which aim to put the Belarus situation into greater context.)

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 Pope sends Gallagher to Minsk

 Pope Francis is following the situation with close attention. He sent his top diplomat, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, to visit Belarus over this past weekend. Here is a brief Vatican News report on that visit:

 Pope's closeness to Belarus: Archbishop Gallagher in Minsk

 Archbishop Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, is visiting Belarus's capital, Minsk, to demonstrate Pope Francis's closeness.

 By Vatican News (Friday, September 11)

 Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office released on Friday evening [September 11, 2020], has arrived in Minsk “to show the attention and closeness of the Holy Father to the Catholic Church and the whole country”.

 Belarus has seen weeks of tension as opposition parties contest and question President Lukashenko’s victory in recent elections.

 Archbishop Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, is due to meet with civil authorities and those responsible for the Catholic Church.

 The Pope's wishes for Belarus

 Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Belarus when addressing the faithful gathered for his Sunday Angelus on 16 August. The Pope dwelt, in particular, on the political and social realities the country is currently facing, entrusting its people to the Virgin Mary.

 Pope Francis prays for Lebanon, Belarus at Sunday Angelus

 “My thoughts also go to the dear [country of] Belarus,” the Pope said. “I am following attentively the post-electoral situation in that country.”

 Pope Francis called for “dialogue, the rejection of violence, respect for justice and rights” in Belarus as mass protests continued to take place.

 The following 18 August, as the situation in the country became increasingly complicated, the Executive Committee of Justice and Peace Europe invited all Christians to unite in the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer for the Belarusian people, so that truth, justice and peace may prevail.

 Demonstrations continue

 Meanwhile, demonstrations continue and on Sunday thousands of people are expected to take to the streets of Minsk again. This march, the opposition leaders say, will be dedicated to Maria Kolesnikova, the protest leader who was recently arrested.

 On Monday, President Lukashenko is planning to travel to Sochi, Russia, to meet with Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

 Archbishop Kondrusiewicz banned from returning to Belarus

 It is unlikely that Archbishop Gallagher will be able to meet the Archbishop of Minsk, Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz. The Archbishop of Minsk travelled to Poland for celebrations in honour of Our Lady of Częstochowa at the end of August. He has been unable to return to Belarus because of a prohibition issued by the Belarusian authorities against the prelate.

 In a statement, Archbishop Kondrusiewicz wrote that under the conditions of the current socio-political crisis in our homeland, "I continue to call for dialogue and reconciliation.” He added that his desire is that “the unjustified and illegal decision of the border service” not “aggravate the tension in our homeland."

 Regretting the impossibility of fulfilling his pastoral duties due to the ban, Archbishop Kondrusiewicz then addressed the faithful of his archdiocese, asking them to pray for his rapid return to Belarus and for the peaceful resolution of the serious socio-political crisis in the country.

 [End, Vatican News report]

 Special note: I would like to invite all readers to consider joining on a special Zoom "Writer's Chat" on Friday, September 25, at 1 p.m. EST, with Prof. Anthony Esolen (photo below), a well-known Dante scholar and a brilliant and courageous Catholic essayist. He will speak on the crisis facing both the Church and the country today, and take questions. Click here to register for this Zoom chat.

 By the way, click here if you would like to support Inside the Vatican magazine and this Letter.—RM

 Below, Prof. Antony Esolen

Lakashenko meets with Putin

 During his meeting today (September 14, 2020) with Lukashenko (photo above), Putin granted a $1.5bn (Ł1.2bn) loan to Belarus. The meeting in Sochi was their first since anti-Lukashenko protests escalated in Belarus last month.

 As the BBC reported, Mr Putin said "we want Belarusians themselves... to sort out this situation calmly and through dialogue." (link)

 Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya said she regretted Mr Putin's "dialogue with a dictator," BBC reported.

 Russia and Belarus "are traditionally very close," BBC said, "though Mr Lukashenko has resisted Russian pressure to deepen their union."

 For Russia, from a geo-strategic perspective, Belarus is important. Most citizens in the country of 10 million speak Russian and have relatives in Russia, and the country is viewed as a critical "buffer zone" between Russia and NATO member Poland.

 The BBC noted that the meeting between Putin and Lukashenko came as a joint military exercise was starting near the western Belarusian city of Brest.

 "Alexander Lukashenko wants this meeting to demonstrate to protesters back home that Russia has his back: a fresh reminder that Vladimir Putin's watching what's happening in Belarus, and could send in his security forces," BBC wrote. "In return, he's been busy signalling to Moscow that he is the man to keep Belarus in its orbit, painting the protesters as anti-Russian and backed by the West. Some have speculated that Mr Putin will push for deeper economic and political ties with Minsk as the price of his support. Only that risks increasing tensions, not stabilising things like Moscow wants -- and there's no guarantee that a weakened Mr Lukashenko could even deliver on any promises. So there is a growing sense here that Moscow will back him in public -- for now -- while beginning talks behind the scenes on a transition plan."

 One odd fact seems worth noting in passing: earlier this year, Lukashenko declined a nearly $1 billion loan offered to Belarus by the World Bank. Why? Evidently, because the World Bank asked as a condition of the loan that Belarus impose a strict "lock down" throughout the country to limit the spread of the Coronavirus. (link)

 On June 19, Lukashenko reportedly said: "The World Bank is ready to fund us ten times more than it offered initially as a token of commendation for our efficient fight against this virus. The World Bank has even asked the Healthcare Ministry to share the experience. Meanwhile, the IMF continues to demand from us quarantine measures, isolation, a curfew. This is nonsense. We will not dance to anyone’s tune."

 According to reports, Belarus faced the pandemic during these past few months with some of the world's least restrictive rules on movement and social distancing, without experiencing much higher than normal death tolls.

 ================

 For more background, here is an Associated Press background report on the present crisis in Belarus. (link)

 Protests in Belarus

 By Yuras Karmanau (Associated Press, August 23, 2020)

 MINSK, Belarus (AP) — A former Soviet republic on the fault line between Russia and Europe is boiling with revolt this summer. Sounds familiar — but Belarus 2020 isn’t Ukraine 2014, and that’s why it’s hard to predict what will happen next.

 Here is a look at what’s different this time, and why it matters:

 LEADERLESS RESISTANCE

 The uprising in Belarus erupted last week in a democratic vacuum, in a country where challengers to President Alexander Lukashenko are jailed or exiled and where there is no experienced parliamentary opposition.

 So those at the forefront of Minsk protest marches have been ordinary Belarusians, instead of established political leaders like those who helped galvanize crowds and funding for Ukraine’s 2014 protest movement, centered around the Maidan independence square in Kyiv.

 In Belarus, “the absence of bright leaders undoubtedly weakens the protests ... Leaders bring awareness,” independent political analyst Valery Karbalevich said.

 So Belarusian protesters formed a new Advisory Council this week to try to “offer the street a clear plan and agenda,” he said.

 However, opposition figure Maria Kolesnikova argues that the mass protests this month in Minsk, which came together in decentralized clusters via messaging app Telegram, show that Belarusians no longer need a vertical hierarchy telling them what to do.

 And a leaderless protest has one key advantage, she said: “It cannot be beheaded.”

 ORDERLY, AND OK WITH RUSSIA

 When unprecedented crowds of 200,000 people marched through the tidy, broad avenues of Minsk on Sunday, they came to a halt at red traffic lights, waiting obediently until they turned green.

 In Ukraine, by contrast, “protesters burned tires and threw Molotov cocktails,” said Syarzhuk Chyslau, leader of the Belarusian White Legion organization.

 That’s in part because the Minsk marches lack the kind of far-right and neo-Nazi militant groups that joined Ukraine’s uprising and fanned the violence.

 It's also because Belarusians aren’t driven by the deep-seated anger at Russian influence that fueled Ukraine’s uprisings in 2004 and 2014, or Georgia’s ground-breaking Rose Revolution in 2003.

 While Ukraine has been geopolitically split between pro-West and pro-Russian camps since the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Belarusians are broadly Moscow-friendly.

 Not a single European Union flag has appeared at the Minsk rallies, and the protesters aren’t pursuing NATO membership at the Kremlin’s expense; they just want to freely choose their own leader after an election they believe was stolen from them.

 Pavel Latushko, a former Lukashenko loyalist now on the protesters’ Advisory Council, hopes this could allow Belarusians to count on help from both Brussels and Moscow to settle the current tensions.

 “If the EU and Russia together acted as a mediator in resolving the Belarusian crisis, this would be an ideal option,” Latushko told The Associated Press.

 SHOESTRING BUDGET

 While Ukraine’s protest movement built a huge tent camp in the center of Kyiv, complete with food delivery and security forces, the only perks for protesters in Belarus so far are bottles of water.

Sursa: www.InSideTheVatican.com

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