CNA Staff, Aug 27, 2020 / 04:30 am
A Catholic archbishop in Belarus protested Thursday after riot police blocked the entrance to a church in the capital, Minsk.
In a statement published Aug. 27, Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz of Minsk-Mohilev demanded an investigation into reports that police blocked the doors of the Catholic Church of Saints Simon and Helena Aug. 26.
"In accordance with the constitution of the Republic of Belarus, people have the right to pray by freely entering and leaving the church without hindrance. Blocking the exits of the shrine and creating obstacles to the free entry and exit of people is a gross violation of the rights of believers and freedom of religion," he said.
The building, also known as the Red Church, faces Independence Square, a focus of demonstrations following a disputed presidential election Aug. 9.