DESECRATION OF ORTHODOX CHURCH IN TUZLA STRONGLY CONDEMNED

SARAJEVO, MAY 20 /SRNA/ – The Interreligious Council in BiH has strongly condemned the desecration of the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr at the Serbian Orthodox cemetery in Tuzla, stressing that this not being the first attack on religious sites in the city is concerning.

"Precisely for this reason, in addition to sanctioning those responsible, more effort must be invested in preventing such events through stronger protection of religious facilities, mutual respect, and preservation of the cultural and historical heritage of all peoples in BiH, " the Interreligious Council cited in a statement. The statement added that such incidents cause distress among believers and citizens, especially given the significance this church holds for the Orthodox community in Tuzla. The Council noted that the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr represents an important spiritual, cultural, and historical monument protected by BiH. "The protection of religious buildings and cultural monuments must be a shared obligation of the entire society and institutions," the Interreligious Council stated. The Council welcomed the fact that officers of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Interior are already investigating the case and expressed hope that the perpetrators will soon be identified and appropriately sanctioned. At the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr in the Serbian Orthodox cemetery of Trnovac in Tuzla, the doors were broken down and items inside the church were scattered. This is one in a series of attacks on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Tuzla. Several months ago, the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos in Tuzla was desecrated, and threats were sent to worshippers. The Tuzla Canton Police Administration told SRNA yesterday that an investigation had been conducted at the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr at the Serbian Orthodox cemetery of Trnovac in Tuzla, which had been desecrated by one or more unknown persons, and that the competent prosecutor had been informed. A Tuzla resident identified by the initials M.Č. /63/ reported to police that a break-in at the church had occurred between May 7 and May 19.