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PM Marković: I guarantee Metropolitan Amfilohije that Law on Freedom of Religion has no hidden agenda related to Metropolitanate of Montenegro and Littoral

Published on: Dec 27, 2019 • 2:10 AM Author: PR Service
Podgorica, Montenegro (26 December 2019) -- On the occasion of today’s meeting, Prime Minister Duško Marković guaranteed Metropolitan Amfilohije that the Law on Freedom of Religion does not have a hidden agenda and a sinister mission, related to the Metropolinate of Montenegro and the Littoral.

"I have given guarantees and credentials that this Law does not have any hidden agenda, that it is a Law every civilised and democratic society needs and it does not endanger either the Montenegrin Metropolitanate or any religious facility owned or managed by the Montenegrin Metropolitanate and the Littoral, nor it question the position or status of any priest," Prime Minister Marković stated at the Assembly of Montenegro, in discussion about the Law on Freedom of Religion.

Respecting his position, Prime Minister Marković highlighted that in discussion with the Metropolitan, he argued relationship with the Montenegrin Metropolitane and the Littoral and not with the Serbian Orthodox Church. 

Accepting the opposition MPs' initiative to meet with Metropolitan, Prime Minister Marković reasoned as confirmation that the Government in this discussion, wants a dialogue on essential and key issues, not about politics and manipulation, as well as the confirmation of full readiness to take into account the parliamentarians in the Assembly, who have diametrically opposite opinion on this issue, pointing out: "It is a fact that spiritual and religious issues, refracted through this Law, should also be discussed with the first person or priest of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral. And that his words or his messages and his argument can be the basis for further consideration on this solution. Not by any other church dignitary, as we had the opportunity to hear." 

The Government was very tolerant, even in situations where Montenegrin law was drastically violated, even though the priests did not have the Metropolitan blessing for that, for the respect of his word, the Prime Minister pointed out.

Summarising today's lengthy discussion, the Prime Minister told MPs that the Metropolitan asked the Government to withdraw the Law and that it was in the interest of all.

"When I asked him, why this is such a proposal he is firmly behind, the argument was - distrust in us and fear for their position, for the position of the Metropolitanate and their property. I tried to reassure him that there was no such a fear, nor it could be and that we should still respect each other," the Prime Minister stressed.

Explaining that he, as the Prime Minister, has obligations from the programmatic and other commitments by which this Government has won the confidence of citizens, Prime Minister Marković stated that he asked the Metropolitan to leave time to see if the guarantees in the implementation of the Law were reliable or whether they had a manipulative content. 

"What we all and together underlined is the necessity of a dialogue. We have had a dialogue so far, but in their assessment, insufficient and not inclusive enough. At the same time, I expressed my readiness to continue to engage in this dialogue even after the vote on this Law, if it passes in the Parliament," the Prime Minister stated.

The Metropolitan and his associates noted that the law was good, except in part of Articles 62 to 64 and that it was a distrust, not a Law, the Prime Minister pointed out. Noting, that this was an irrational fear imposed on the overall social activity and unprecedented manipulation, the Prime Minister also referred to the writings of a single portal today, that he was physically assaulted for talking to the Metropolitan.

"So take everything into consideration. Do not pander to petty interests and speculation. We are the state here - you MPs, oppositional and positional MPs, and the Government. It is our responsibility, not the players outside this field. Especially, to those who are not benevolent. Therefore, I invite you MPs Mandić, to come out of this situation disagreeing, with full understanding, and trying to trust each other and to confirm that trust very quickly. And I am ready to trust that we have been building that trust, since 8 January 8," the Prime Minister stated.


PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF MONTENEGRO



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