Catholic priest Uladzislau Lazar, who was recently arrested by the KGB, has never had problems with the authorities, Catholic community member Natallia Darashkevich says. They got acquainted when the priest worked at the Cathedral in Minsk, Belsat TV reports.
“He is a brilliant priest and a wonderful person. He has never been involved in politics. The accusation of spying is absurd. He has never had anti-governmental views, but he always said what he thought. I've never heard him speaking something against the government. He has always stood for the truth, but he's never called to any actions,” Natallia says.
She doesn't know whether Lazar has ever had problems with the KGB, but adds that the Belarusian security services try to monitor the activity of Catholic priests.
“The Catholic Church is not subjected to the Belarusian authorities. It influences public opinion, so the KGB often keeps a bead on priests,” Natallia says.
A Polish priest, who was recently kicked out of Belarus and forbidden to enter the country allegedly for violating laws, confirms the woman's words.
He asks not to reveal his name in order not to provoke repression against his colleagues working in Belarus:
“KGB wants to get rid of all priests who use other methods of work than security officers have. The priest whom I succeeded had been expelled for 'political activity', as they call it. The KGB chief told me I had been too active. I wouldn't have had problems if I had dealt only with elderly people and reduced my activities to my parish.”
Foreign Catholic priests can count on assistance of their country's diplomats in case of conflicts with the local authorities.
Priest Uladzislau Lazar, a citizen of Belarus, can hope only Vatican to help.