long viewed Roman Catholics

Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has long viewed Roman Catholics, who form 9-14 percent of the Belarusian population, with hostility and suspicion, given their opposition to his candidacy in 2020 (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, September 5, 2020; see EDM, December 22, 2020). This perception persists despite relatively good official ties with the Vatican, one of the few foreign states willing to receive him (Fondsk.ru, January 9) Now, Lukashenka has launched a broad attack on Catholics and Catholicism in advance of his sham re-election scheduled for January 26, 2025. That crackdown has been widespread and harsh, with the number of Catholic parishes in Belarus declining and ever more priests sentenced to as much as 11 years in prison for “treason” สล็อตเว็บตรง