The state and the Church are united in their aspiration for the spiritual revival and prosperity of Belarus – A. Kosinets

December 24, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The state and the Church are united in their aspiration for the spiritual revival and prosperity of Belarus. This was stated by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, today at a meeting with Bishop of Vitebsk Vladislav Blin at the Church of Jesus the Merciful, a BELTA correspondent reports. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee congratulated the believers of the Roman Catholic Church on the upcoming Christmas. Belarus is a multi-confessional state, and this contributes to stability in society. "For the state, as well as for the Church, it is important that society is spiritually healthy and merciful," he stressed. There are 76 churches operating in the Vitebsk region, and 6 more are under construction. Recently, the Church of Jesus the Merciful was built in a new residential area of Vitebsk. Alexander Kosinets informed the bishop that funds from the regional budget will be allocated for the interior decoration of this church. According to Vladislav Blin, this decision by the authorities will be a real gift to all parishioners, especially since in the summer of 2011, celebrations will be held on the occasion of the recognition of the Church of Jesus the Merciful as the main church of the Vitebsk Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church - the Pope has already signed the documents for this. -0-