Catholics point to religious freedom in KBR

Some 70 Catholics came to the festive Christmas mass held at the Saint Joseph Church in Nalchik, the capital of the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic (KBR); about the same number of believers took part in the service in the Catholic Church in Blagoveschensk dwelling settlement. Catholics have never faced any pressure because of their religious beliefs, the parishioners have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that Russian Catholics celebrated their Christmas on December 25. All the Catholic churches of Russia, including those located in Southern Russia and in the countries of Southern Caucasus have held festive masses.

The KBR operates three Catholic parishes, which include from 7 to 30 families.

Elena Akhmatova, the managing director of the Nalchik parish, said that the parishioners of the Saint Joseph Church are also sisters of mercy from in the Mother Teresa Order. They pray in the church and spend the rest of the time at holding humanitarian actions: they teach English to children and help the homeless.

The KBR Catholic parishes have other social projects. For example, at the Blagoveschensk parish there was a centre where children with cerebral palsy were taught horseback riding. Besides, the "Vacation with God" project is implemented for children from low-income families, within which they organize campaigns, cooking classes and other events.