METROPOLITAN TEODOSIJE CONCERNED OVER DETERIORATING SECURITY FOR SERBS

GRAČANICA, AUGUST 10 /SRNA/ - Metropolitan Teodosije of Raška-Prizren of the Serbian Orthodox Church today expressed the Eparchy’s concern over the deteriorating security situation and the growing sense of insecurity among the Serb population in Kosovo and Metohija during a meeting in Gračanica with US Senator Joni Ernst, saying that this is perceived as persecution and open discrimination by the authorities in Pristina.

The bishop mentioned problems encountered during recent Serbian Orthodox Church religious gatherings at Gazimestan and the Monastery of the Holy Archangels, various forms of institutional and administrative pressure, such as the recent demolition of a number of Serb houses at Lake Gazivode, as well as the arrests of Serbs without clear evidence of criminal liability. The lack of response from institutions in cases affecting the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serb community was also mentioned, as evidenced by the latest violation of the Law on Special Protective Zones around the Dečani Monastery during new works on the disputed road, as well as previous violations of the protected-zone regime around the Hermitage of St. Peter and the Hvosno Monastery of the Holy Mother of God. It was stressed that all of this creates pressure and further deepens the already very low level of trust and sense of security in which the Serb people and the Serbian Orthodox Church live, the Raška-Prizren Eparchy said. The bishop stressed that maintaining clear and unequivocal international security guarantees is of particular importance, especially at the most sensitive locations. In this context, they also discussed the announced gradual integration of members of the so-called Kosovo police into KFOR’s security system around the Visoki Dečani Monastery. The metropolitan stressed that the Eparchy is following this process with particular concern, given the low level of institutional trust and the broader security situation. The bishop stressed the importance of clear assurances from KFOR that this process does not represent a transfer of primary responsibility for the monastery’s security, but merely coordinated work within the existing security system operated by the mission. For the Eparchy, he said, today’s unequivocal confirmation from KFOR that it remains committed to the security of the Visoki Dečani Monastery and the safety of all local communities, and that it remains primarily and ultimately responsible for the monastery’s security, is of particular importance. The bishop also drew particular attention to the situation in North Mitrovica, stressing that the bridge over the Ibar River, which has in the past been associated with serious security incidents and inter-ethnic tensions on several occasions, remains a highly sensitive location. The metropolitan stressed that KFOR’s visible presence in the area remains an indispensable factor in deterring incidents, preventing escalation and maintaining a sense of security among the population. Therefore, he noted, any change to the existing security arrangements at such a sensitive location could have serious consequences for stability. The bishop said that under the current circumstances, any transfer of primary security responsibility from KFOR at Visoki Dečani and at the bridge in Mitrovica would be premature, and pointed out that the selective application of the law by the institutions of self-proclaimed Kosovo is making life more difficult for the Church and undermining the self-sustainability of Serb monasteries. During the conversation, following a visit to Gračanica Monastery, the importance of continuing the dialogue and fully implementing previously reached agreements was stressed, particularly those concerning the position and rights of the Serb community and the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo and Metohija.