In Paschovska Nova Ves, Roma are not allowed to go to church even though they are Catholic. They are not allowed to attend missions along with other residents of the village.
In an attempt to change one of the priests, he was attacked and his car damaged.
- We were never told that we could come to church. We have always kept our Mass here outside, and when it was over we went into a house. We also gathered around 70-80 Roma here - says Andrei Cervenjak, a village elder.
Here the Roma have built a chapel with the support of Germany. On Saturday, instead of Sunday, comes priest Miroslav Turcik. They come here out of shame that they think they are poor and will be offended, Miroslav says.
Otherwise near the village of Jarishke Jastrebje, the priest summoned the Roma for a weekly Mass, but did not finish. The villagers rebelled against the arrival of the Roma and even damaged the priest's car.
Locals say there are people who are "allergic" to Roma.
- They say that the Roma did not participate in the construction of those churches, and that they have no right to come to them.
But I am optimistic that in the future there will be no divisions and no differences will be made between the people "noted Andrei Cervenjak.
Link: http://www.portal-udar.net/u-slovackim-selima-romi-iskljuceni-iz-crkve/
