Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
Oktober 21, 2004

SKOPLJE LEADERSHIP PROVOKES NEW SCANDAL
Failed attempt to deny Bishop Irinej entry at the border crossing at Tabanovce
COMMUNIQUE OF THE METROPOLITANATE OF MONTENEGRO AND THE LITTORAL

SKOPLJE LEADERSHIP PROVOKES NEW SCANDAL

Failed attempt to deny Bishop Irinej entry
at the border crossing at Tabanovce

Border officials of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia caused a new international and diplomatic scandal today by denying His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa entry at the border crossing at Tabanovce so he could continue his trip to Salonika where he is participating in the work of a conference entitled "Eighth Dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats" organized by the Group of the European People's Party and European Democrats in the European Parliament, as a member of the delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Roman Catholic Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar of Belgrade, who was traveling with Bishop Irinej to Greece, refused to continue the trip on his own, even though permitted to do so by the border official, as a sign of Christian solidarity.

During the more than two hours that he was detained, no one informed Bishop Irinej of the reason why he would be denied transit through the former Yugoslav republic. Only after intervention by Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, the Government of Greece, high officials from Brussels, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Embassy of Serbia and Montenegro, all of whom pointed out the untenability of this discriminatory practice to the Skoplje leadership, was Bishop Irinej permitted to continue on his way to Salonika with Archbishop Hocevar.

During the course of the day the Skoplje government attempted to justify this serious diplomatic incident by the often-cited law prohibiting entry into FYROM to persons clothed in the robes of a priest. Since Archbishop Hocevar and his companion were also clothed according to their offices, i.e. wearing priest’s robes, it is clear that this justification is a blatant lie and that discrimination is applied only to Orthodox bishops and priests, regardless of whether they belong to the Serbian, the Greek or any other Orthodox Church. In principle, such a law and such a practice does not exist in any civilized country.

After the arrest and persecution by the courts of Metropolitan Jovan, violence against monks and nuns, threats and creation of a climate of fear among the Orthodox faithful, and the destruction only days ago of the monastery of St. John Chrysostom, today’s incident is further proof that the regime in Skoplje is carrying out serious violence against the Orthodox Church.

The delegation of the Serbian Orthodox Church today held several discussions with political and religious leaders who are participating in the conference in Salonika, and pointed out the difficult position of the Orthodox Church in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the discrimination consistently carried out by the Government in Skoplje against all Orthodox bishops and priests.

COMMUNIQUE OF
THE METROPOLITANATE OF
MONTENEGRO AND THE LITTORAL

On the occasion of the adoption of the Charter regarding the proclamation of Montenegro as an ecological state Metropolitan Dr. Amfilohije of Montenegro was present at the Durmitor session of the Assembly on behalf of the Church. Upon his proposal the Assembly amended the Charter to include the need for”ecology of the spirit”, that is, moral health and purity as a prerequisite for ecology and the protection of nature and the environment.

Today the Montenegrin Assembly is faced with a moral test and verification to see whether it will uphold its Charter or trample on it. Agreeing to the building of the Buk Bijela hydroelectric facility without a serious and responsible study of all the consequences this activity would certainly lead not only to the endangerment and destruction of the God-given beauty of the Tara River canyon wherein lies the eternal health and salvation of humanity, but also the moral fall of the highest legislative body of Montenegro.

It would truly mean and completely show that the Charter on the ecological state was an act of deception, a common propaganda trick for the credulous, and that Montenegro was and remains a thing for sale and an object for the satisfaction of the fleeting, selfish interests of individuals and utilitarian groups.

Nonetheless, we remain hopeful that the Montenegrin Assembly will remain at the high level of its moral responsibility and consistency toward its accepted responsibilities toward God, nature and the people.

THE METROPOLITANATE OF
MONTENEGRO AND THE LITTORAL

[Serbian Translation Services]