Condemnation of threats to Visoki Decani Monastery
The Serbian government's Office for Cooperation with Churches and Religious Communities Friday sharply condemned the protests staged by local Albanian population in the vicinity of the Visoki Decani Monastery and attempts of extremists to enter the monastery's courtyard.
(kosovocompromisestuff) Friday, February 08, 2013
"The decision of the Supreme Court in Pristina to give back part of the land previously seized from the monastery is just a pretext for the demonstrations that are threatening the existence of the monastery that was inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List of and that are sending a clear message to the exiled people that they should not be returning to their homes," Mileta Radojevic, director of the Office, said in a written statement to the media.
Radojevic said it is necessary to make sure religious rights are respected in practice in line with European standards in this region, adding that he believes that such actions do not contribute to the reconciliation between the Serbs and Albanians, something that Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej spoke about in Prizren recently.
The Office is calling on local authorities and representatives of international bodies and organizations to take decisive measures and ensure the protection of Serbian spiritual and cultural heritage and create conditions for a more peaceful life for all citizens, the statement said.
Radojevic said it is necessary to make sure religious rights are respected in practice in line with European standards in this region, adding that he believes that such actions do not contribute to the reconciliation between the Serbs and Albanians, something that Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch Irinej spoke about in Prizren recently.
The Office is calling on local authorities and representatives of international bodies and organizations to take decisive measures and ensure the protection of Serbian spiritual and cultural heritage and create conditions for a more peaceful life for all citizens, the statement said.
