Belarus: Positive signs for the Christian community?

As reported by Agenzia Fides on 20 May 2023, a new Roman Catholic church has been officially opened in Belarus’ capital city, Minsk, after construction work began in 2014. The report states that Minsk has around two million inhabitants, 15% of whom are Catholics.

According to the Belarusian government website (accessed 1 June 2023):

• “The Belarusian religious landscape is dominated by the Belarusian Orthodox Church. It is represented by 1,709 communities, 15 eparchies, 6 religious schools, 35 monasteries and convents, 15 brotherhoods, 10 sisterhoods and one mission.”
• “The Roman Catholic Church in Belarus includes four dioceses, 498 communities, six educational institutions, 11 missions and nine monasteries and convents.”
• “Protestant religious organizations are represented by 1,038 communities, 21 associations, 22 missions and five educational institutions of 13 denominations.”

World Watch Research analyst Rolf Zeegers comments: “The government website paints a rosy picture of active Christian church life in this nation which is closely allied to the Russian Federation. Naturally, the Catholic community in Minsk is no doubt thankful that the building of a new church has been possible. However, it is to be noted that this took almost ten years to complete, which would seem to indicate that the authorities were not unduly supportive. Nevertheless, it is the first positive sign towards Christians in the country for a very long time. Other reports this year – for instance: CNE News on 28 January 2023 and 31 May 2023 – give a much more negative view of life for Christians under the iron-fist of President Lukashenko and explain why the country moved up to rank 76 in Open Doors’ World Watch List 2023.”