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Bishop Longin of Saratov and Volsk says gambling games and totalitarian sects are main problems of modern society

13.01.2006 · Архив 2005-2009, Новости с мест  

On 11 January 2006, Bishop Longin of Saratov and Volsk participated in the first session of the Council for cooperation with religious associations. It was established in November 2005 as a consultative body for considering questions of cooperation between state bodies and religious associations.

Governor of Saratov Region P. Ipatov chaired the first session of the Council. Among the participants also were: imam of Muslim Spiritual Directorate of the Volga Region M. Bibarsov, Rabbi of Saratov Mihael Frumin, representatives of Catholic and Lutheran communities and professors of Saratov high education establishments.

In his speech Bishop Longin of Saratov and Volsk pointed to the problems that could become topics for the discussion in the frameworks of the Council. He said that it was necessary to restrict promotion of gambling games and totalitarian sects. Bishop Longin expressed his concerns with uncontrolled growth of alcohol sales. ‘If some processes in society are destructive, the state authorities should interfere and regulate the problem avoiding violation of rights and freedoms of citizens’, the ruling hierarch of Saratov Diocese believes. All leaders of religious organizations supported his idea.