Bishop: Azerbaijan - rare example of good interaction between religious communities

Azerbaijan is a rare example of good interaction between religious communities.

The remarks were made by Apostolic Prefect of the Catholic Church in Azerbaijan, Bishop Vladimir Fekete, in a conversation with Trend.

As a country that is a rare example of good interaction between traditional religious communities and harmonious relations between religion and secular power based on the principle of mutual respect and cooperation, Azerbaijan deserves special attention, he said.

"Azerbaijan is a modern, secular state where national traditions, as well as spiritual and cultural diversity of society are respected and encouraged and I do not understand on what basis and based on what data such a negative perception of religious freedom in Azerbaijan is formed," he said, commenting on US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement on the inclusion of several countries, including Azerbaijan, on a certain "special watch list" in connection with religious freedom.

Bishop Vladimir Fekete emphasized that the Catholics of Azerbaijan always feel the support of the state expressed in concrete actions.

"We often, together with the heads and representatives of religious confessions of the country, participate in various international events dedicated to the issues of interreligious, intercultural dialogue. I always advise all those interested in this issue to visit Azerbaijan and visibly see that despite all the pessimistic forecasts regarding inter-civilizational, interreligious dialogue, in the presence of goodwill of the society and competent policy of the state, such a dialogue is not only possible but serves the welfare of society and strengthening of the state.

“We, Catholics of Azerbaijan, are grateful to God that in this country we can freely profess our faith, solemnly celebrate our religious holidays, communicate in an atmosphere of mutual trust and brotherhood with representatives of other religions and serve, to the best of our ability, the good of Azerbaijani society.”

“We always feel the support of the Azerbaijani state, expressed in concrete steps, such as, for example, financial aid, which President Ilham Aliyev annually allocates to religious communities of the country. And in all our needs we always meet understanding from the authorities and willingness to help," he added.