“Fascist occupation of Kosovo continues”

6 January 2011 | 10:59 | Source: Tanjug

BELGRADE -- Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Littoral has stated that fascist occupation of the southern Serbian province continues to this day. Metropolitan Amfilohije (FoNet, file) He said that current situation in Kosovo "is actually the continuation of the Nazi-Fascist occupation from the WWII, and which is even more tragic, with longer-term consequences." “The church in Kosovo is facing many challenges, the first and foremost of which is Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence,” he told Belgrade-based daily Politika. According to him, the consequences of this violent act are torn down temples, stolen church and national property, hundreds of Orthodox Serbs exiled from their centuries-old homes, no conditions for their return, increasing poverty and existential threats to the remaining Serbs and all of other Kosovo inhabitants. Metropolitan Amfilohije reiterated that a new bishop had been appointed to the Raška-Prizren Eparchy, adding that the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) was obliged to relieve of duty previous Bishop Artemije in order to preserve the unity of the church. He pointed out that the election and the enthronement of new SPC Patriarch Irinej was also a contribution to the SPC unity in both internal and external affairs.