Serbian Church hierarch reports political persecution in Montenegro
Metropolitan Methodius. Photo: ru.vijesti.me
Metropolitan Methodius of Budimlja and Nikšić of the Serbian Orthodox Church described as political persecution his police interrogation over criticism of Communists.
In his statement, the hierarch noted that the lawsuit filed against him by the head of an NGO in Montenegro over his sermon criticizing communism is part of a systematic campaign by anti-church forces in the country, who use the law to create a negative public image of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
According to the metropolitan, the goal of these attacks is to limit freedom of speech and religion for clergy and faithful.
“Yet again, pastoral sermons delivered in church during services have to be explained to police and prosecutors. This encourages censorship in society, which contradicts the Constitution and is incompatible with a democratic system,” the metropolitan said.
He stressed that “such actions are aimed at restricting not only religious but also fundamental rights and freedoms of clergy and laity.”
The lawsuit against the hierarch was filed by Svetlana Pajović Mušović, the founder of a well-known NGO in Montenegro, accusing him of “inciting religious and national intolerance.”
In response, the metropolitan stated that he has never engaged in such behavior and, on the contrary, considers it his pastoral duty to warn his flock about sin and to call for peace.
The hierarch characterized the accusation as part of an ongoing political campaign against the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that a Serbian Church hierarch in Montenegro had been questioned over criticism of Communists.
Read also
Zelensky prays with Jews, Muslims, Catholics, OCU, and UGCC at Kyiv Sofia
At the event in St. Sofia of Kyiv, Sheikh Ahmed Tamim asked Allah for “victory over the enemy for the sake of Muhammad, Jesus, and Moses.”
UOC community in Germany moves to Constantinople Patriarchate
UOC clergy in Erfurt argued their decision to transfer to the Church of Constantinople by claiming that Germany is supposedly the canonical territory of the Phanar.
Volyn deputy on Forgiveness Sunday: I ask forgiveness from everyone except UOC
Huz’s aide said that UOC believers “have no love.”
UOC delivers charging stations to frontline communities in Donetsk region
The UOC Social Department sent five high-capacity power units to Druzhkivka, Lyman, and Sloviansk; the equipment will help residents cope with electricity outages.
Participants of U.S. Christian forum call for "moral imperative" to shape AI
At the conference in the United States, theologians and IT experts discussed how artificial intelligence affects relationships, faith, and society, emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks.
Radical groups reported among those who seized UOC church in Shchaslyve
During the seizure of the church in Shchaslyve, radical groupings acted, including the “Combat Brotherhood of Ukraine” and “Right Youth,” who present themselves as “believers.”