Bishop of the Diocese of Vitebsk, Władysław Blin, has resigned from his powers

He submitted his resignation request to Pope Benedict XVI on February 25 due to illness. This action, as commented on the website of the Roman Catholic Church in Belarus, is a concern for the fruitful and full functioning of the Vitebsk Diocese. Vladislav Blin is currently undergoing treatment.

He was the first bishop in our region, served as Deputy Chairman of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Belarus, and Chairman of the Commission for General Pastoral Care and the Council for the Apostolate of the Laity. The Catholic world hopes that although the pastor has resigned from his powers, he will nevertheless remain a bishop emeritus and will continue to participate in important matters for the benefit of people.

According to the decision of Benedict XVI, the Vitebsk Diocese is now represented by Apostolic Administrator Monsignor Prelate Franciszek Kisiel. He was born in 1959, graduated from the Vitebsk Communications College, and then served in the army. He studied at the Higher Theological Seminary in Riga, where he received priestly ordination in 1987. He worked as a vicar in the Marian sanctuary in Aglona (Latvia), then served as parish priest in the parish of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Braslav, and St. Andrew Bobola in Polotsk. Since 1999, he has been the Vicar General of the Vitebsk Diocese.

Olga MASLOVSKAYA, "Vitebsky Rabochy"