Metropolitan Veniamin in a meeting with the German ambassador called for peaceful resolution of conflicts as “military build-up and economic sanctions exacerbate problems”

February 4, BPN. Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslaŭl’, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus and German Ambassador Manfred Huterer discussed current situation in the world, interfaith relations, and social work at a meeting with the Minsk Diocese Administration on February 3.

The press service of the Belarusian Exarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church (BOC) reports that the diplomat “shared his vision of the processes taking place in Europe and the modern world” and inquired about the BOC position on these issues.

Metropolitan Veniamin noted “special concerns” of the Belarusians regarding the existing relations “between the fraternal peoples of Ukraine and Russia.”

“Our countries share common historical and cultural roots, a family kinship and a common faith,” the Orthodox Metropolitan said. “We remember a painful period of division into Eastern and Western parts in the history of Germany in the 20^th century, a period which was so difficult for the German people. In these times, it is important to avoid erecting similar walls between the Slavic peoples, to ensure that the causes of division are eliminated and that our countries can continue through their history in mutual peace, harmony, and support for each other.”

The Metropolitan called for “a peaceful resolution of the conflicts that arise,” as “historical experience shows that control by force, military build-up, and economic sanctions are likely to lead to mutual estrangement and exacerbate problems without solving them.”

He stressed that the mission of the church in this situation was to “reconcile, unite, remind us of the value of the things we have in common, and call us to remember the spiritual laws of our being.”

Metropolitan Veniamin expressed the hope that the “efforts and activities” of the German diplomatic mission in Belarus would contribute to the “restoration of good neighbourly relations between states and people.”