Persecution of a Carmelite

I caught this news item on Catholic internet sites.  It is a reminder that some of our fellow Carmelites are victims of persecution.

'Priests in Belarus are routinely blackmailed during official interrogations and threatened with accusations of espionage or sexual misconduct. The latest victim, Father Grzegorz Gawel, a 27-year-old Carmelite from Krakow, was arrested in a parking lot near Vitebsk and accused of spying on a joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise. The Krakow Carmelites have confirmed his detention and called for prayers.  Polish Carmelite monk Grzegorz Gaweł, 27, was arrested in Lepel, Belarus, on September 4, 2025. Belarusian state media aired footage of Gaweł allegedly handing a “secret” document to unidentified officials, potentially linked to sensitive information about the upcoming Zapad military exercises, scheduled to begin next week with over 13,000 troops, including the possible deployment of Russian nuclear weapons and advanced missile systems.  In addition to Gaweł’s arrest, authorities detained a Belarusian citizen for allegedly trying to recruit him through social media, offering monetary incentives. Notably, Gaweł was found with religious items, reinforcing his ties to the Carmelite order. [Surprise, surprise!!!] The Polish government condemned the arrest as a provocation, with spokesperson Jacek Dobrzyński asserting that Polish special services do not enlist monks for espionage. Poland has urged its citizens to leave Belarus immediately, citing safety risks amid the country’s undemocratic governance.'

Intercessions:

Cancer: Brian Davis, Bernard (and wife Angela caring for him), Jacqui, Sue B, Theresa K, Fr Jon B

Siena, Elara – sick children

Matthew – six-year old boy dying of bladder cancer

Wojtek – massive heart attack leaving him incapacitated

David OCDS – housebound; Martin Gilham – unable to attend community meetings

Sophia – blind infant

Joy Smith OCDS – seriously ill

Grace – troubling ailments, job difficulties, family (deceased mother and health of father)

Lucia – Overwhelmed by weariness 

Defence of the unborn and the elderly