Roman Catholic Church officials sharply criticized Russia and questioned its commitment to religious freedom Saturday after a bishop heading back to his Siberian diocese was refused entry–the second foreign priest barred this month.
Bishop Jerzy Mazur was turned back at a Moscow airport after he arrived from his native Poland, said Rev. Igor Kovalevsky, a spokesman for the Catholic Church in Russia.
Two weeks ago, Rev. Stefano Caprio’s visa was ripped out of his passport as he left Russia, preventing the Italian priest from returning to the country where he had worked for more than a decade. The priest said he was told he was on a list of banned foreigners compiled by security services.
The government has given no explanation for the refusals, which come amid discord with the Russian Orthodox Church over charges the Vatican is seeking believers in its territory.
