The adoption of the Freedom of Religion Law in Montenegro has already stirred numerous negative reactions both in Montenegro and the region. The Church (Synod) has expressed a full understanding of the justified dismay of Orthodox believers and people in Montenegro and gave full support to their peaceful Christian resistance to the injustice thus inflicted on the Church and the people. It is an anti-democratic and discriminatory law that allows for the abduction and desecration of holy sites, as well as the snuffing of the wills of their clergymen and endowers who bequeathed them to the Church and God, and not to any state or government – these are the conclusions after the Serbian Patriarch Irinej met Montenegro Episcopal Council members urgently in Belgrade.
The reason behind the emergency arrival of the bishops of the Montenegrin dioceses and Zahumlje-Herzegovina to Belgrade was to express their dissatisfaction and fear over the President of Serbia’s plans to spend Christmas Day in the north of Montenegro due to the latest set of events in the country, which was reported as per unofficial sources close to the church. However, the Patriarchate confirmed in a press release that there was an entirely different reason for this session:
„The immediate cause for this extended Synod session was the adoption of an anti-constitutional and anti-civilization Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Legal Status of Religious Communities Law, which would be more properly called the Law against the Orthodox Church in Montenegro.“
The Synod assessed that the aforementioned law is deepening the already existing divisions and conflicts in Montenegrin society.
The Synod urged the state authorities of Montenegro to „be aware of their responsibility to the past and to the future and to reconsider their position on the religious rights and freedoms of their citizens and the majority Church in Montenegro.“
„So far, the gatherings of different peoples, on the occasion of the said injustice, had an explicitly ecclesiastical character and it is therefore necessary to avoid any political or party abuse of these unique national assemblies in the future,“ they wrote in a statement.
„The Serbian Orthodox Church and its dioceses in Montenegro will protect religious rights and freedoms by all available legal means, and at the same time call on all relevant actors to resume comprehensive dialogue on this crucial and sensitive issue.“
Prior to his meeting with Montenegrin bishops and Bishop Dimitrije of Zahumlje-Herzegovina, the Serbian patriarch met with Serbian President, Aleksandar Vucic early in the morning.
After the meeting that took place at 7:30 this morning, Vucic held a press conference at 10:00, at about the same time the Serbian Patriarch was meeting the Montenegrins.
Vucic confirmed the speculations that he had planned to spend Christmas Day in Pljevlja in the Diocese of Mileseva, as well as that everything was prepared for this visit, but that he decided not to go after a second meeting with Irinej in the last five days. He emphasized that he did not want to give „an alibi to the Montenegrin authorities to accuse Serbia that this (his visit) is an attack on Montenegro’s independence and constitutional order.“
Tensions are increasing in both countries. Protests are held daily in Montenegro, peacefully and in massive turn out, while in Belgrade, the flag at the Embassy of Montenegro was recently almost set on fire by the Red Star fans.
As of today, protests similar to those in Montenegro are taking place on the streets of some Serbian cities as well. One of the protest processions held on the streets of Novi Pazar tonight is led by Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren with the clergy, citizens and believers. The procession started from the ancient church of Peter, to the church of St. Nicholas in Novi Pazar.
Exactly one hundred members of the academic community from Serbia and the Western countries reacted this morning, appealing for the protection of the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro, and sending a different message from the one previously presented in the so-called 88 petition that blames Belgrade for the situation in Montenegro, while protecting the newly adopted so called law on religious freedom.
This is the second petition requesting protection of SPC property. On January 2, Vasil Jovovic of Cetinje Theology launched an online petition following Appeal 88, which has now exceeded more than 8,500 signatures, bearing the signature of the Metropolitan Amfilohio himself and other high priests with prominent public figures.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
