“Will Our Consciences Ever Forgive Us?” Catholic Priest Jailed for Three Years in Belarus After Opposing Ukraine War
A Catholic priest in Belarus has been sentenced to three years in prison after speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and helping refugees. Father Anatoly Parakhnevich, 66, was convicted of “insulting the authorities” and “extremism” following a closed-door trial last month. The Viasna Human Rights Centre, which has designated him a political prisoner, says he openly opposed Russia’s war and condemned Belarus’ role in the invasion. The priest, who serves a parish in Alkovichy in north-western Belarus, also helped organize aid for Ukrainians and called for peace and repentance. In one sermon about the conflict, he asked his congregation: “Will our own consciences ever forgive us?” Father Parakhnevich has been in custody since his arrest in March and reportedly suffered a heart attack while in prison. He denies the charges and plans to appeal against the conviction.
A lawyer for Viasna, Pavel Sapelka, said the authorities were targeting people who influence public opinion. “The authorities are aggressively persecuting, threatening and intimidating those who shape public opinion within the country, and Parakhnevich is a very popular priest whose sermons were heard by thousands of Belarusians,” he said. The case comes amid wider pressure on religious communities in Belarus, where dozens of Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant clergy have been jailed, silenced, or forced into exile after opposing the authorities. Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, who lives in exile, described the priest’s sentence as “heartbreaking” and “politically motivated.” Open Doors, which monitors the persecution of Christians worldwide, has also documented growing restrictions on religious freedom in Belarus. In its 2025 report on the country, the organization reported increased government monitoring of religious organizations and restrictions on Christians expressing their views publicly. According to the Viasna Centre, there are currently 884 political prisoners in Belarus. For Father Parakhnevich, the sentence is a heavy price to pay for speaking truth to power—but his courage in the face of persecution stands as a powerful testament to the enduring power of faith and conscience.
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