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Metropolitan Joanikije claims Milo Đukanović offered church separation
Metropolitan Joanikije of the Montenegrin-Primorski Metropolitanate of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) has stated that former Montenegrin President Milo Đukanović once proposed that the church clergy separate from Belgrade in exchange for unspecified needs. Speaking in an interview on RTV Podgorica, Joanikije claimed to be a witness to this offer, which he says was rejected by the church.
Joanikije dismissed allegations that he or the late Metropolitan Amfilije were separatists attempting to sever ties with the SPC, asserting that the relationship with Belgrade remains strong. He also addressed the religious processions (litije) held following the 2019 Law on Freedom of Religion, describing them as an authentic spiritual and national movement rather than a political project organized by external entities like Belgrade, Brussels, or Moscow.
Additionally, the Metropolitan rejected claims made by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić regarding the role of Belgrade in the religious protests, labeling such assertions as manipulation. He noted that Vučić's comments regarding the protests reminded him of the political tactics used by Đukanović.
Entities
Aleksandar Vučić · Joanikije · Metropolitan Joanikije · Milo Đukanović · Montenegro · Serbian Orthodox Church
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Metropolitan Joanikije criticized Aleksandar Vučić for making manipulative statements regarding the religious movements. etv.me · rtnk.me · bizniscg.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Metropolitan Joanikije denies that the religious movements were produced by Belgrade, Brussels, or Moscow. etv.me · rtnk.me · bizniscg.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] The religious processions (litije) were spiritual and national movements rather than political ones. etv.me · rtnk.me · bizniscg.me
- [● 3 SOURCES] Metropolitan Joanikije claims Milo Đukanović proposed the clergy separate from Belgrade. etv.me · rtnk.me · bizniscg.me