MOSCOW - A Roman Catholic bishop who has been banned from entering Russia is conducting services at his church via telephone, according to a report Monday.
The decision for Bishop Jerzy Mazur, a Polish citizen, to do services at his Irkutsk church in Siberia by phone was prompted by the wishes of his congregation to hear their priest, Interfax news agency reported, citing church officials. Mazur's voice is broadcast over speakers during the services.
The church said Mazur's absence has resulted in the suspension of a number of social projects, including assistance of cancer and tuberculosis patients and construction of a children's rehabilitation center, according to Interfax.
Mazur was denied entry into Russia in April, preventing him from returning to his diocese. The Foreign Ministry has said it received "serious complaints" about Mazur's activities but hasn't elaborated.
Mazur's case came after another foreign priest — Italian Rev. Stefano Caprio, who has parishes in western Russia — had his visa removed while leaving Russia and has been refused a new one to re-enter the country.
The actions are believed linked to tensions between Roman Catholics and Russia's dominant Orthodox Church, which was especially angered by the Vatican's decision this year to upgrade four apostolic administrations in Russia to full dioceses.