Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
March 12, 2005

SERBIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN BISHOP’S RESIDENCE IN NOVI SAD
DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN SERBIA-MONTENEGRO VISITS BISHOP IRINEJ OF BACKA

SERBIAN PRESIDENT MEETS REPRESENTATIVES OF TRADITIONAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES IN BISHOP’S RESIDENCE IN NOVI SAD

Yesterday morning in the Bishop’s residence in Novi Sad His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, together with His Grace Bishop Vasilije of Srem, His Grace Vicar Bishop Profirije of Jegar, and heads and highest representatives of the traditional Christian Churches in Serbia, including the Roman Catholic Church: Archbishop of Belgrade Stanislav Hocevar, chairman of the International Bishops’ Conference Sts. Cyril and Metodius, Bishop of Subotica Dr. Janos Penzes, and Rt. Rev. Dr. Andrija Kopilovic, pro-rector of the Catechistic Theological Institute in Subotica; Bishop of the Reform Christian Church, Istvan Cete-Semesi; Bishop of the Slovak Evangelical Church, Samuel Vrbovski; and Bishop of the Christian Evangelical Church, Arpad Dolinski, received Dr. Boris Tadic, president of the Republic of Serbia. The reception was also attended by Mr. Bojan Pajtic, chairman of the Vojvodina Executive Council, and Dr. Vojislav Milovanovic, master builder of St. Sava Church, both of whom also took part in the discussion.

Yesterday’s meeting in Novi Sad was especially significant because it was the first meeting of a Serbian president with the highest representatives of Churches in Serbia.

Discussion of issues such as the restoration of nationalized church property, the social and status position of the Churches, clergy and faithful, enhancement of religious instruction in public schools, the introduction of a chaplain’s post in the army, and the role of the Church in the media were conducted in an atmosphere of complete accountability and mutual understanding. The Serbian President also discussed problems with which every Church separately is confronted on a daily basis with great attention and interest.

Upon the conclusion of the meeting, President Tadic stated for numerous reporters gathered in front of the Bishop’s residence that the meeting that just took place was exceptionally significant and that complete consensus and understanding was achieved regarding the further contribution of traditional Churches on the territory of Serbia towards the nurturing of peace, tolerance, dialogue and cooperation. “We also discussed the specific difficulties of each individual Church and found that most problems were common to all,” said Mr. Tadic. “Taking into account the political process of which we are a part, the Church is certainly a part of society and should be consulted with respect to many issues important to the life of each individual and this whole society. The views as well as the position of every one of the historic Churches, the way they are kept and human rights connected with religious rights are completely equal.” Also discussed at the meeting were the rights of citizens of Islamic faith, in the very spirit of tolerance and cooperation which were expressed today by all participants in today’s meeting, stated the Serbian president.

Bishop Irinej expressed satisfaction with today’s visit by the president of the Republic of Serbia to the Diocese of Backa, as well as with the fact that the Serbian Orthodox Church, i.e. the Diocese of Backa hosted a meeting of all traditional Churches active on the territory of Vojvodina and throughout Serbia. Bishop Irinej emphasized that occasionally one hears the opinion that the Church’s statement of its views on social and human issues may endanger the secular character of the State; however, he said, at today’s meeting just the opposite was shown to be true. “The freedom and accountability of the Church contribute to a more substantive coexistence between State and Church, taking in account the fact that the majority of the citizens of our country are also faithful members of their Churches.” Participants in the meeting also established that cooperation between State and Church can contribute to the further democratization and development of society in accordance with the lives of citizens in other parts of Europe. Only through dialogue, mutual confidence and cooperation among all traditional Churches and other religious communities together, and with all bearers of public responsibility in our society it is possible to achieve all standards that are necessary for the normal functioning of society as a whole, concluded Bishop Irinej.

In his statement for the press, Archbishop Stanislav Hocevar emphasized the importance of joint action by all Churches and religious communities towards the development of our society, which is also helped by regular meetings where discussion is held in the spirit of dialogue and joint action.

From the Office of the Bishop of Backa

DELEGATION OF EUROPEAN COMMISSION IN SERBIA-MONTENEGRO VISITS BISHOP IRINEJ OF BACKA

On Friday, March 11, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Backa, together with representatives of the traditional Churches in Serbia: bishops of the Reformation Churches Mr. Samuel Vrbovski (Slovak Evangelical Church), Mr. Istvan Cete-Semesi (Reform Christian Church), Mr. Arpad Dolinski (Evangelical Christian Church) and Sister Ines of the Archbishopric of Belgrade (Roman Catholic Church, as well as the woman president of the Novi Sad Jewish Community, Dr. Ana Frenkel, received in the Bishop’s residence in Novi Sad a delegation of the European Commission in Serbia-Montenegro headed by the European Union ambassador in Belgrade, Mr. Josep Loveras, who was accompanied by Mr. David Hudson, first secretary, and Mrs. Sanda Babic.

The Bishop of Backa, acting as host, directed words of welcome with respect and love to the high guests, and wished everyone a pleasant stay in Novi Sad.

On behalf of the delegation of the European Commission in Serbia-Montenegro, Ambassador Loveras greeted Bishop Irinej and the representatives of the Churches and religious communities in Serbia, expressing his satisfaction at the opportunity to once again, after the Conference on the contribution of the Churches to religious, cultural and national cooperation on the path to European integrations held last autumn in Becej, have the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Churches and religious communities, and to discuss issues relating to the attitude of the Churches and religious communities and contemporary Serbian society toward the values that define modern Europe and toward European integrations.

Bishop Irinej and the other representatives of the Churches unanimously expressed the view that since European civilization is largely based on values created in the cradle of Christianity, they are naturally the witnesses and bearers of such values, and that by carrying out their mission, they are representing principles such as love towards one’s neighbor, individual dignity, peace and social justice, which should characterize the European Union and all European countries.

The participants in the discussion agreed that the model of cooperation which the Churches and religious communities are nurturing among themselves and with respect to secular bearers of public responsibility, as well as their common life in peace, mutual respect and spiritual and cultural interweaving of peoples who live in Vojvodina and throughout Serbia represent a good way of preparing the whole of Serbian society for European integrations. In the eyes of the faithful, first and foremost, in the eyes of Christians, the process of shaping “a uniquely European home” may have a successful and lasting outcome if it is primarily based on a unity of spirit with acknowledgement and nurturing of everyone’s national and cultural identity, not just exclusively on economic interest and political convenience.

[Serbian Translation Services]