BISHOP METODIJE: CONTINUATION OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION OF SOC

PODGORICA, July 15 /SRNA/ – Metropolitan Metodije of Budimlja and Nikšić gave a statement at the Security Cenre Nikšić, rejecting all allegations in the criminal complaint filed against him by the Civic Rights Centre, and stressed it was part of a broader campaign of political persecution of the Serbian Orthodox Church /SOC/ in Montenegro.

The NGO filed a criminal complaint against the Metropolitan for "inciting hatred, violating the Constitution, and glorifying a criminal movement" during a divine liturgy held at the Podmaine Monastery on June 7. Bishop Metodije says that once again, pastoral sermons from church altars are being questioned by the police and prosecutors, which, as he stated, introduces a climate of censorship and self-censorship that is deeply contrary to the Constitution and the principles of a democratic society. He emphasized that his sermon contained no words that would absolve any crime or criminal and noted that Josip Broz Tito is not a state symbol nor legally protected from criticism, and that historical reflection on individuals and events, including General Draža Mihailović, must remain a matter of free, constitutionally protected opinion. "In my sermon, I affirmed fundamental constitutional values: dignity, inviolability of the person, the right to a fair trial, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression, and prohibition of censorship, because these values were trampled by the Ustasha and Titoist regimes," Bishop Metodije said. He stressed that this and many similar complaints are part of ongoing efforts to pressure the Church through the judiciary. He believes this represents a continuation of political persecution and an attempt by anti-church circles to manipulate legal instruments in order to shape public opinion and a social environment in which only the faithful and clergy of the Serbian Orthodox Church are subjected to a "crime of opinion," and freedom of expression is restricted by ideological standards. The bishop concluded that the allegations in the criminal complaint are entirely unfounded and legally absurd.