Sunday, May 03, 2026

Three Polish priests expelled from Belarus

Three Polish Catholic priests, who served for many years in the Vitebsk Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church, are forced to leave Belarus in May 2026. 

The Commissioner for Religions and Nationalities refused to extend their permits for religious activity. 

This was reported by "Christian Vision".

Among those being expelled are: Salvatorian priest Stanisław Mżyglud, who was the long-time rector of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in Braslaw; Salettine priest Zenon Szczanhor, who served in Belarus for over 35 years and most recently was a vicar of the parish in Vidzy, Braslaw district; Franciscan father Waldemar Kujawa, vicar of the parish in the village of Udzelo, Hlybokaye district.

At the same time, some other Polish priests of the Vitebsk Diocese had their permits extended – for six months.

This is not the first such case: earlier, two Polish priests of the Pinsk Diocese also did not receive permits for further service and left the country.