April, 17, 2006

KiM Info Newsletter 17-04-06

Bishop Teodosije: Concern due to attitude of institutions toward Serbian cemeteries in Kosovo

Unfortunately, the irresponsible attitude toward the environment is a general problem in many areas of Kosovo and Metohija but what we obviously have here is intentional depositing of garbage in front the entrance to a cemetery that is sacred. The municipality of Pec is directly responsible for allowing the desecration of this cemetery for more than six years. We are deeply concerned about what we can expect in the future from municipal institutions which tolerate this kind of vandalism, said Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan

Entrance to the Serbian Orthodox cemetery in Pec blocked by garbage
(photo: KIM Info Service)

KIM Info Service
April 17, 2006

Bishop Teodosije of Lipljan expressed deep concern because of numerous examples of lack of responsibility on the part of local Kosovo institutions in in their attitude toward the property of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Yesterday, April 16, a group of Serbs who went to visit the Serbian Orthodox cemetery in Pec was confronted with a sad sight which, unfortunately, is not rare in Kosovo and Metohija. The entrance to the cemetery on the eve of the Easter holidays was completely blocked by garbage that is obviously systematically dumped in front of the entrance to the cemetery and immediately next to the road leading to a nearby Serb returnee village, Belo Polje.

Bishop Teodosije - Concern due to irresponsible institutions

"Unfortunately, the irresponsible attitude toward the environment is a general problem in many areas of Kosovo but what we obviously have here is intentional depositing of garbage in front the entrance to an Orthodox Christian cemetery that is sacred. The municipality of Pec is directly responsible for allowing the desecration of this cemetery for more than six years. We are deeply concerned about what we can expect in the future from municipal institutions which tolerate this kind of vandalism. Unfortunately, there has been no appropriate reaction from the international community, either, and Serbian Orthodox cemeteries increasingly look like garbage and dead animal dumps. The attitude toward the deceased is a major indicator of culture and respect for others but also an indicator of the maturity of a society. For example, in a few days we are supposed to hold an inter-faith conference on tolerance in Pec and our international guests will be confronted with these hideous scenes which are an embarrassment to the municipality and the whole of society," said Bishop Teodosije in a statement for KIM Info Service.

"Yesterday the U.S. special representative for negotiations on the status of Kosovo Frank Wisner passed by the entrance to the Orthodox cemetery in Pec blocked with a mountain of garbage on his way to Belo Polje, where he met with Serb returnees. I can only imagine the impression this terrible sight must have left on him," said Bishop Teodosije.

Orthodox church in Gojbulja near Vucitrn desecrated, local sources say

TANJUG, April 16, 2006

Kosovska Mitrovica - Unknown vandals broke into the church of St. Paraskeva (Sv. Petka) in the village of Gojbulja near Vucitrn yesterday and damaged the interior, local teacher Bratislav Kostic confirmed for Tanjug. A memorial service had just been held in the church for an old lady and, according to custom, the whole village came to the service. Then some children came to the church to tidy the churchyard and plant roses.

"The children arrived at about 3:00 p.m. and noticed that the door had been forced open and that the chandelier, an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos and a picture of Bishop Artemije had been broken in the church," said Kostic.

FROM THE PRESS:

GLAS JAVNOSTI (Belgrade daily), April 17, 2006

Pressures on monks and nuns

Gracanica - The Serb National Council of Kosovo and Metohija (SNC) expressed its concern due to the increasingly frequent protests of extremist Albanians and their opposition to the protection of the clergy, monks and nuns of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Serbian holy shrines and the Serbian cultural heritage in Kosovo and Metohija in general. This pressure was also apparent in the protest and organized demonstrations two days ago by the adherents of Albin Kurti directed against the monks of Visoki Decani Monastery and the monastery itself, the SNC said in a written statement.

"The act of good will and hand of cooperation of the brotherhood of Visoki Decani is constantly being ignored by a part of the international community and Albanian institutions, who are silently permitting continuing pressure against the monastery itself and the monks, a cause of exceptional concern for the Serbs in Kosovo and Metohija," the statement added.

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