Lukashenko on church role: to set moral Christian guidelines
The state highly values the generally recognised authority of the Orthodox hierarchs, respected by millions of our compatriots – as stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during today’s meeting with the Synod of the Belarusian Orthodox Church
The President underlined that today’s event is of great significance in modern geopolitical conditions and on the eve of important political events inside the country, “We remember how in 2020 some priests, including Orthodox priests, unfortunately, got involved in politics. I will put it straightforwardly: the state has special institutions and trained people for this. The task of the church is to set moral Christian guidelines. Let’s try together to answer the question whether we are doing everything to prevent strangers with bad thoughts from coming into our churches, changing our foundations, and dictating how we should live.”
According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, the Belarusian Orthodox Church has a special role in our multi-confessional state. In this regard, he would like to hear what the church is lacking and what else the state needs to do, “We need a wise approach to the issues that need to be settled. What practical part of the work of treating the ills of our society are you willing to take on? Is the church itself ready to change without changing its spiritual ideals and values?”
The President urged the clergy to have a thorough and frank conversation.
