Bishop Joanikije of Budimlye-Niksic arrested

Tonight, on the feast-day of St. Basil of Ostrog, on May 12, 2020, after a long discussion, the Montenegrin police handed in a summons at the Parish Home in Niksic, around 10 pm, and tried to forcibly bring Bishop Joanikije of Budimlye-Niksic together with nine other priests to the Security Center in Niksic.

The intention of the police was to humiliate the eminent Hierarch of the Church of God in a way that they wanted to take him to the Security Center in a vehicle for criminals, popularly known as marica, which the Bishop dignifiedly refused and to the great displeasure of the gathered people (several thousands of supporters) went on foot to the Security Center, accompanied by some priests, whom the police also intended to detain.

By treating religious officials in this way, in this case the Hierarch of the Church of God and the clergy of the Niksic Cathedral, the police are demonstrating unprofessionalism, thus trying to provoke citizens and the faithful and jeopardize peace and stability in Montenegro.

Source: Diocese of Budimlye-Niksic