Bishop Daniil of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan sent a request to the President Sadyr Japarov to pay attention to the increasing cases of vandalism at Christian cemeteries in Kyrgyzstan. Press service of the Russian Embassy in Bishkek reports.
Several cemeteries have been recently vandalized by unknown persons.
Vandals destroyed a cemetery in Dmitrievka village, Chui region on Tuesday. On February 10, a Christian cemetery has been vandalized in Kemin.
The appeal of the Bishop of Bishkek and Kyrgyzstan notes that since the beginning of 2021, with varying frequency, «society has been repeatedly shocked by news of vandalism or looting of one or another Christian cemetery in different regions of Kyrgyzstan.»
«As a rule, after the perpetrators are detained, they are tried for petty hooliganism, which does not have large consequences for these people and allows them to continue to do so. Perhaps, they were driven to this act by an acute need, a way out of which they found only in this way, but this cannot justify spiritual and moral pathology,» the press service of the diplomatic mission quotes the bishop’s appeal.
Bishop Daniil also believes that law enforcement agencies often «take the path of least resistance» and try to explain the facts of vandalism by grazing of cattle, although the upturned monuments and crosses testify to the opposite.
According to the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Kyrgyz Republic, people belonging to different Christian denominations are buried in Christian cemeteries — Orthodox, Protestants, Catholics and others whose relatives live not only in the Russian Federation, but also in other countries of the world.
«They are aware of the current situation, as well as the inaction of responsible persons, which creates a certain resonance that forms international public opinion,» the bishop emphasized.
«Preserving the memory of ancestors and their burial places is a sacred duty of living people. Therefore, the Orthodox citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic express their hope for your help, dear Sadyr Nurgozhoevich, and believe that after turning to our president, representatives of state authorities and local administrations will make every effort to ensure the safety and preservation of these holy places,» Bishop Daniil said.
Earlier, the Deputy Head of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Edil Baisalov said that the increasing cases of vandalism were a matter of concern.
