Msgr. Kondrusiewicz’s farewell: 'Thank you for your solidarity'

A solemn Mass, with bishops, priests, faithful to bid farewell to the outgoing metropolitan of Minsk-Mogilevsk. To his successor, Msgr. Kazimierz Welikosielec, said: “Do not be afraid to forcefully announce the Word to those who hold power…. only the truth will set us free!”.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - A farewell celebration was held for the Metropolitan of Minsk-Mogilevsk Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, whose resignation was accepted by Pope Francis on January 3.

The metropolitan celebrated together with the administrator Msgr. Kazimierz Welikosielec, who temporarily took up his duties at the head of the archdiocese. The archbishop had returned from exile imposed by the authorities at Christmas.

In his opening speech, he wanted to thank the faithful for the solidarity shown during the difficult four months in which he stayed away from his homeland and from his flock, unable to hold back the tears of emotion.

Kondrusiewicz assured that he will remain in Belarus to carry out his ministry, together with the other bishops, and to celebrate Holy Mass with the people, even without official positions other than that of priest and bishop. His speech was interrupted continuously by thunderous applause, and many faithful shed tears together with the archbishop.

To his friend and "successor", Msgr. Welikosielec, the outgoing archbishop addressed these words: "Dear brother, do not be afraid to stand up to the challenges that await our Church, the challenges that await our homeland. Don't be afraid to look deeper into the problems we face, as a society and as individuals. Do not be afraid to announce the Word with force to those who hold power and those who do not, to those who have studied a lot and to those who are very simple, to those who are older and to the young, to the healthy and the sick, to those who are free and those who are not, because in prison. People want to hear this living word of God that brings the truth, because only the truth will set us free!”.

The rite gathered a large crowd of faithful in the Cathedral of the Most Holy Name of Mary in Minsk. Numerous bishops and priests participated in it. The celebration was broadcast live on the diocesan site catholic.by, followed by many people. At the end of the mass, as a farewell, Msgr. Kondrusiewicz posed  an evangelical question to the people: "Where are you going, Belarus?".