Minsk, Jun. 20, 2008 (CWNews.com) - Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone (bio - news) told public officials in Belarus that he was visiting the country in part "to express my gratitude for the way freedom of religion is being upheld in Belarus."
The Vatican Secretary of State, who began his 5-day visit to Belarus in the capital city of Minsk, acknowledged that his trip had an important political component as well. Cardinal Bertone-- who is scheduled to meet with President Aleksander Lukashenko-- said that he would "discuss bilateral cooperation and Belarus's role and place in the international community."
A former Soviet state that retains close ties to Russia, Belarus has been politically isolated from its European neighbors. While the government strongly favors the local Orthodox Church, which is affiliated with the Moscow patriarchate, the Catholics who make up the largest religious minority have generally been able to practice their faith without serious restrictions.
Cardinal Bertone met with Orthodox leaders during his first day n Minks, and said that the talks were important to strengthen "an atmosphere of cooperation between two faiths."
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