The creation of four Catholic dioceses in Russia is
"unacceptable," states Russia's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Yuri Fedotov at a gathering of Orthodox clergy.
"Our position is clear, and we have shown the Vatican that its conduct is
unacceptable," the Vice-Minister said, referring to the Holy See's plan
"to divide" the Federation's territory in four dioceses, Misna
missionary agency reported.
Fedotov even told the Vatican that some Catholic priests "are not
welcome" in Russia, a statement that supports the "hostile"
attitudes of the government towards members of the Catholic clergy.
In recent months, without apparent cause, five Catholic religious have been
expelled from Russia, including Bishop Jerzy Mazur of the St. Joseph diocese of
Irkutsk in Eastern Siberia.
The conflict has caused a serious break between the Catholic Church and the
Moscow authorities. John Paul II was obliged to ask Russian President Vladimir
Putin himself for an explanation, which came three months later.
The Catholic hierarchy of the Russian capital was not satisfied with Putin's
reply, making the complex relations between the Catholic Church and the Russian
Orthodox Church even more difficult.