Church outraged in Vilnius

Church has been angered by Vilnius authorities' decision to propagate oriental fitness practice in public places in the city(LNK reports). According to priests it is not compatible with Christian world-view.

For a half a year every morning and evening in 10 places around Vilnius (bigger parks of the city) citizens will be able to come and join 1-hour-long free Thai Chi sessions, lead by Lithuanian instructors. Vilnius municipality has budgeted 50 000 Litas for this activity. According to the municipality representatives, the idea appeared since this practice is so popular abroad and in Lithuania's sport centers it is too expensive for most of the citizens to attend. Municipality's Deputy Head of Administration Vytas Karsokas told LNK, that Thai Chi classes that are to be held publicly in Vilnius have nothing to do with any other religion and no religion is propagated during the practice.

Meanwhile Catholic Church is worried about this sort of "entertainment" contrived by the Mayor of Vilnius - according to them, besides the exercising there will also be lectures. Vilnius's archdiocese believes that Thai Chi, as fitness and spiritual practice, is inconsistent with Christian beliefs. Priests don't like the fact that some of the sessions will be organized close to church or priest seminary. They claim that this way city's governance demonstrates disrespect for Christians.