Disquiet has been raised within the Catholic community in Belarus following the detention of two Catholic priests. Leadership within the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate has voiced frustration over the absence of clear information regarding the arrests.
According to Father Pawel Gomulak, the spokesman for the Oblates’ Polish province, they have been unable to secure details about the hearings or the conditions in which the priests are being held. The lack of representation and access at the priests’ court hearings add to the concerns.
Father Andrzej Juchniewicz, a prominent ecclesiastical figure, and his fellow priest, Father Pawel Lemekh, were subjected to 15-day and 10-day detention orders, raising questions and prompting calls for assistance. Attempting to navigate the complex situation, officials from the Catholic Church are finding it difficult to intervene, partly due to nationality issues and the Oblates’ legal standing in Belarus.
Natallia Vasilevich, an opposition spokesperson, illustrates the government’s tactic of withholding information as a means to sow uncertainty among the people. Detainees are informed of the charges under administrative code but are unable to pass this information along, thus contributing to the atmosphere of fear.
The circumstances of the priests’ arrests have been linked to their involvement in a clergy assembly and traveling plans, respectively. The accusations against them seemingly pertain to “alleged diversionary activities against the state” according to the Oblates’ communiqué.
With the Belarusian Catholic community accounting for a significant minority of the population, the recent events have put a spotlight on the broader context of political unrest and repression in the wake of the controversial 2022 presidential re-election of Alexander Lukashenko. Furthermore, a Catholic news source suggested that the arrests were related to the publication of online content deemed “extremist”.
The response from church officials outside of Belarus indicates concern for the wellbeing of the detained priests, while local church representatives stress the unfortunate timing of the events, which coincide with major religious observances. The pattern of such detentions and the normalization of repressive measures against clergy in Belarus are underlined by both church officials and human rights observers.
The absence of public acknowledgment by the Belarusian Catholic Church is notable, although limited confirmation and calls for prayers have been issued. As the local diocese makes arrangements to maintain religious services in the absence of the detained priests, the impact of these arrests on pastoral care and church life remains significant.
Written by Jonathan Luxmoore for OSV News from Oxford, England.
FAQ Section
Q: Who are the priests that have been arrested in Belarus?
A: Father Andrzej Juchniewicz, chairman of Major Superiors, Delegates and Representatives of Institutes and Societies of Apostolic Life in Belarus, and Father Pawel Lemekh, his younger colleague.
Q: What are the reasons for their arrest?
A: The official reasons have not been fully disclosed, but it is indicated that the priests are accused of “alleged diversionary activities against the Belarusian state.”
Q: What has been the response of the Catholic Church to these arrests?
A: The Catholic Church has faced challenges in responding due to the information blackout, lack of access to the priests, and the Oblates’ non-recognized legal status in Belarus. Calls for prayers have been made and the need for the international community’s awareness has been raised.
Q: How has the international Catholic community reacted to the situation?
A: The Oblates’ superior general has expressed deep concern, and efforts are underway to ensure the health and safety of the priests. Meanwhile, the pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need has reported on the number of Catholic detentions in Belarus.
Q: What is the significance of the timing of these arrests?
A: The arrests occurred on the eve of Ascension Day and shortly before the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, significant events in the Catholic liturgical calendar, which the priests were unable to honor with their parish due to their detentions.
Conclusion
The situation concerning the arrested clergy in Belarus highlights broader issues of political repression, religious freedom, and human rights in the country. These events underscore the challenging conditions under which the Catholic Church operates in Belarus and the ways in which authoritarian regimes can target religious institutions. It will be essential for both the international Catholic community and human rights observers to continue to monitor the situation, advocate for the priests’ wellbeing, and call for transparency and due process in these and similar cases.