MOSCOW - Apr. 24, 2008 (Forum 18/CWNews.com) - Religious communities in Russia-- notably including the Catholic Church-- are being adversely affected by new visa requirements, the Forum 18 news service reports.
Visa rules introduced in October 2007 allow foreigners with a business or humanitarian visa-- a category which includes religious work-- to spend only 90 out of any 180 days in Russia. While not targeted at religious communities, the rules are having a harsh impact on many faiths that depend upon foreign clergy.
"Our priests are really, really suffering from this," one Russian Catholic told Forum 18. Over 90% of the Catholic priests serving in Russia are foreign citizens, and many are now forced to spend long periods abroad or even commute into Russia for Sunday Mass.
Visa rules introduced in October 2007 allow foreigners with a business or humanitarian visa-- a category which includes religious work-- to spend only 90 out of any 180 days in Russia. While not targeted at religious communities, the rules are having a harsh impact on many faiths that depend upon foreign clergy.
"Our priests are really, really suffering from this," one Russian Catholic told Forum 18. Over 90% of the Catholic priests serving in Russia are foreign citizens, and many are now forced to spend long periods abroad or even commute into Russia for Sunday Mass.