Lukashenka to Orthodox Church leaders: Priests should be Belarus citizens

When meeting with the Council of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, Belarus President Aliaksandr Lukashenka said he counted on a greater involvement of the church in social processes. "It is very important for the Orthodox Church to continue promoting inter-confessional accord in Belarus, demonstrating an example of civilized relations," the head of state is quoted by BELTA news agency as saying.

Lukashenka also said that Belarusian citizens not foreigners should serve as priests in Belarus. "Belarusians should serve here, although foreigners are infinitely devoted to our nation and state. I have been promoting this idea, especiallu in relations to Catholics, since the very first days of my presidency. And there has been huge progress: many Belarusians have become Catholic priests," noted Aliaksandr Lukashenka.