Montenegrin Metropolis of SOC: We won’t support the return of godless power

The Cetinje Monastery of the Serbian Church. Photo: mitropolija.com

The Montenegin-Littoral Metropolis of the Serbian Orthodox Church stated that it does not participate in the political processes for the formation of a new government in Montenegro but will not support the return to power of representatives of the godless regime of President Milo Đukanović, who restricted the religious rights and freedoms of the canonical Church, reports the Metropolis on its official website.

With its statement, the Montenegrin-Littoral Metropolis denied the rumours spread in the country about the alleged support of Metropolitan Ioanniky for the formation of a minority government headed by Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović. At the same time, it is noted that the hierarch of the Serbian Church appreciates the victory in the 2020 elections over the godless regime.

“Therefore, let no one expect that the etropolitan will support the formation of any government that will directly or indirectly return the former regime to power. We remind you that the official representatives of the former regime, due to a threat to the religious rights and freedoms of the Serbian Orthodox Church, excommunicated themselves from the Church and, thus, remained outside its bosom until their sincere repentance, which, unfortunately, has not happened since that day,” the Metropolis noted.

During the elections in 2020, in the wake of nation-wide outrage over Djukanovic's policy towards the Church, the current majority in the Montenegrin parliament formed a government led by Prime Minister Zdravko Krivokapić.

According to media reports, in February 2022, the Montenegrin Parliament plans to vote of no confidence in the Krivokapić government, which will lead to his resignation. The current Deputy Prime Minister Dritan Abazović, who is considered a protégé of the United States, could become the new Prime Minister.

As reported, the United States is dissatisfied with "the influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the independent institutions of Montenegro".

Read also