DECLARATIONS ON BISHOP EXPELLED FROM RUSSIA, BETHLEHEM REFUGEES

VATICAN CITY, MAY 7, 2002 (VIS) - Holy See Press Office Director Joaquin Navarro-Valls made the following declaration in response to journalists' questions concerning the expulsion of Bishop Jerzy Mazur S.V.D., of St. Joseph in Irkutsk, Eastern Siberia, from the territory of the Russian Federation:
"The Holy See intervened immediately, asking the minister of foreign affairs of the Russian Federation for an explanation of the motives that induced the border authorities to refuse the prelate entrance. It must be noted with surprise that, after more than two weeks, the information requested has still not been forthcoming."

Asked about the Holy See's hypothetical interest that the Italian authorities receive into Italy some of the people who have taken refuge in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Navarro-Valls replied: "I can affirm that there have been no official contacts in this matter."

OP;RUSSIA; BETHLEHEM;...;NAVARRO-VALLS;VIS;20020507;Word: 160;