MINSK, 12 November (BelTA) - On 12 November, the leaders of the major confessions of the Republic of Belarus adopted an address to the politicians of European states and believers in connection with the migrant crisis on the Belarusian-Polish border, BelTA has learned.
The document was signed by Metropolitan Veniamin of Minsk and Zaslavl, Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus, Archbishop Jozef Staniewski, Metropolitan of Minsk and Mogilev of the Roman Catholic Church, Mufti of the Muslim Religious Association Abu-Bekir Shabanovich, Chief rabbi of the Association of Progressive Judaism Communities in Belarus Grigory Abramovich.
"The tragic events related to the migrant crisis, currently unfolding on the peace-loving and long-suffering Belarusian land, human grief and the pain of thousands of people freezing on the border of our states, prompted us to turn to you," the document reads. “The major world religions preach love for thy neighbor and call for mercy, goodness and compassion. The Word of God tells us that we are strangers before Him and ‘sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding...'”
“We, the leaders of the major confessions of the Republic of Belarus, appeal to the politicians of the economically developed and prosperous European states. It is not the fault of these people that they have left their native lands fleeing the hostilities in search of a better fate for themselves and their children. These people are looking for the way to their better future in Europe through Belarus. People of all nationalities and religions want to live under a peaceful sky and see smiles on the faces of children," the document says.
The document notes: "Very soon the Christian world will celebrate the birth of Christ. Many houses will be decorated for the Nativity of Christ, symbolizing the desire to receive the born God in your hearts. Waiting for God's mercy and miracles in our lives, imitating the Creator, we can perform a miracle ourselves. During this period of the outgoing year, in all traditional religions, believers do more good works of charity, mercy and assistance to those in need, dedicating them to God. What will we give to God this year? After all, every refugee waiting for a decision on their fate on the European border has their own personal tragedy. Their tears, shed from pain in their native land, continue to be shed."
“Every person created in the image and likeness of God has the right to be heard and understood, to live in peace, to be confident in his future and the future of his children,” the leaders of Belarus' major confessions noted. “In anticipation of the Nativity of Christ and the New Year, we call on politicians, all believers and simply caring people of Europe to show wisdom, mercy and compassion, to save people who are homeless, in a state of despair. We all pray for the speediest resolution of the situation. We pray these people receive not only hope and advice, but the necessary help and the opportunity to realize their aspirations.
"Today we must think: what awaits us in the near future? What will happen tomorrow? After all, each of us must answer to the Lord for our actions, since on earth we are only strangers and sojourners. May peace and God's blessing be with all of us!" said the heads of the major confessions of the Republic of Belarus.
