Georgian officials canceled plans to sign an agreement with the Vatican on Friday after thousands of Orthodox Christian faithful blocked traffic to protest what they feared could result in a Catholic takeover of their country.
Officials assured protesters that the agreement would not harm the interests of the dominant Georgian Orthodox Church and would merely protect the religious freedom of the country’s estimated 50,000 Catholics. Nevertheless, they yielded to protesters’ demands, saying dialogue was needed.
The government revealed very little about the agreement until Friday, when officials read some of the clauses to the protesters. It would obligate Georgia to guarantee freedom to perform Catholic rites, allow the opening of Catholic schools and permit all Catholics to study the history of their religion.
