Belarus: Catholic priest called to military assembly

A priest has been assigned to a military unit in Osipovichi. According to information relayed by parishioners, he likely joined an artillery brigade. The calling of a Catholic cleric to a military assembly is an exceptional situation in Belarus. Recently, residents of the Gomel region were mass summoned for exercises to assess the mobilization readiness of military units.

The assembly is planned for 60 days. However, he returned to Gomel after only a few days. Parishioners reported that he was unexpectedly released and returned on September 17. There are speculations that the bishop of Pinsk may have intervened in his case, but there is no official information confirming the reason for his release from the assembly.

He is the only priest serving in the large Gomel parish, and parishioners note a particularly acute shortage of priests in Belarus, which could significantly limit the pastoral activity of the community during a prolonged absence.