{"id":108383,"date":"2024-10-08T15:36:36","date_gmt":"2024-10-08T12:36:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/108383\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T20:40:57","slug":"roman-catholic-priest-arrested-in-viciebsk-region","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/108383\/","title":{"rendered":"Roman Catholic priest arrested in Viciebsk region"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\n Priest Juryj Bara\u016dnio\u016d\n <\/div>\n \n
\n File photo (Leanid Juryk | catholicnews.by)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

October 8, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Juryj Bara\u016dnio\u016d, a priest of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Krule\u016d\u0161\u010dyna, Viciebsk region, was arrested yesterday, the Chryscijanskaja Vizija group reported.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities accused Bara\u016dnio\u016d of sharing extremist content in breach of Article 19.11 of the Code of Administrative Offenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At least 31 Catholic priests have been arrested under the Code of Administrative Offenses since 2020, including 13 in the Viciebsk diocese, Chryscijanskaja Vizija said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Catholicism is the second largest Christian denomination in Belarus. There are about 1.5 million Catholics, including more than 10,000 Greek Catholics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After the 2020 presidential election, relations between the state and the Catholic Church deteriorated as many clerics and believers openly condemned violence and reprisals against peaceful protesters. Priests were arrested, tried and jailed on apparently politically-motivated charges. Some have fled Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Roman Catholic Church in Belarus is led by moderate Archbishop Juzaf Stanie\u016dski. Alaksandar \u0141uka\u0161enka’s government often engages him in pro-government events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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