Russian archbishop criticizes Chechen rebels in school siege crisis

Published: 2004-09-08

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A Russian archbishop criticized Chechen rebels responsible for a school hostage crisis resulting in the death of more than 320 people and said Russia needs "peaceful coexistence." Nonviolent methods are needed to settle Chechnya's struggle to seek independence from Russia, said Archbishop Tadeusz Kondrusiewicz, head of the Moscow-based Archdiocese of the Mother of God. He offered "no comment" when asked whether the predominantly Muslim-populated Chechnya should be independent. He also refused to comment when asked about the possibilities of Russian and Chechen leaders reaching a solution. "We need stability in Russia," he said. Archbishop Kondrusiewicz spoke at a Sept. 7 press conference in Washington before giving a speech to Aid to the Church in Russia, a U.S. fund-raising organization. At the press conference, he also discussed Catholic-Orthodox relations and the general situation of the Catholic Church in Russia.

Copyright (c) 2004 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .