Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral could soon find himself under "investigation" by a commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), which, according to the official explanation, should analyze the functioning of the Metropolitanate and determine whether there are any administrative and financial failures.
However, according to the information of the Nova.rs portal, the real reason why Joanikije is under scrutiny is his public disagreement with the policies of official Belgrade, but also his refusal to withdraw his signature from the letter of support that he, together with five other bishops, sent to students and citizens who were protesting in Serbia.
The commission that is supposed to analyze the work of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral and the way it is managed by Metropolitan Joanikije, as Nova has learned, will be composed according to an almost identical model to the one sent to the Žič eparchy. The media outlet reminds that after that "control", Metropolitan Justin was suspended at this year's Assembly due to, as officially stated, questionable material and financial dealings.
Nova.rs sources, however, claimed that the real reason for the showdown with Justin was that he was the only bishop based in Serbia who openly supported the student-citizen protests, and that his dismissal was a purely political order from the very top of the government.
How the attack on Joaniki was planned
When it comes to the commission that is supposed to investigate finances in Cetinje, the only significant difference compared to the "Žiča case" is that, as Nova has learned, its composition should not include Metropolitan Metodije of Budimlje-Niksic.
The reason, according to information from Nova.rs, is the assessment of the Serbian Orthodox Church leadership that a direct, frontal attack on Joanikije would cause a huge public reaction, especially in Montenegro, given the influence and respect he enjoys among the believers there.
According to Nova.rs sources, the idea is to present the control of the finances of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral as a routine, systemic check. Therefore, before arriving in Cetinje, the commission should visit Berane, the seat of Metropolitan Metodije, and check the operations of the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic.
However, therein lies the key maneuver.
According to Nova.rs, the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic was informed in advance about the commission's arrival so that those involved in finance could prepare the documentation in time, which creates the illusion that the checks are being carried out for the sake of order, while a trap is being prepared in Cetinje.
Production of the crisis on the Belgrade-Podgorica route
What could, however, pose a serious obstacle for the envoys of the SPC leadership and the conduct of the alleged investigation is the reaction of the authorities in Podgorica. According to Nova.rs sources, there is a real fear within the SPC leadership that the Montenegrin authorities could directly ban the entry of the commission members into the territory of their country. The Nova.rs portal also received identical information from sources within the security structures of Montenegro.
Nova.rs writes that their interlocutor recalls a recent warning by Montenegrin Prime Minister Milojko Spajić that pressures and attacks on the country will become increasingly intense as it approaches membership in the European Union.
On that occasion, he stated that two official countries from the region would participate in the hybrid action against Podgorica.
"Sending such a commission is precisely one of the forms of obstruction, because in this way the crisis and political showdowns from Serbia are exported to the territory of Montenegro. The arrival of a commission with a task that is politically dictated from Belgrade is in essence no different from sending BIA agents with the aim of artificially creating a crisis atmosphere in the field," explains the interlocutor of Nova.rs.
Conflict with Vučić and resistance to pressure from the Patriarchate over students
Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral is considered one of the rare bishops within the Serbian Orthodox Church who have not accepted the unofficial authority of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić over the Church. Since the SNS came to power, there has been talk of a so-called "symphony of Church and state", behind which critics see the increasingly exposed subordination of the SPC leadership to Aleksandar Vučić and the SNS.
As one of the closest associates of the late Metropolitan Amfilohije, Joanikije remained in the circle of church dignitaries who spoke openly about problems within the Serbian Orthodox Church and society, regardless of whether the authorities in Belgrade or Podgorica liked it, Nova.rs writes.
Joanikije incurred particular wrath from the top of the Patriarchate and the progressive government when he refused to succumb to direct pressure and withdraw his signature from a letter of support for students protesting in Serbia, which condemned the insulting of the church and the media's persecution of young people on the streets.
Although the Patriarchate explicitly requested that the bishops not interfere and that the signature be removed from the appeal, the Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral remained steadfast in his stance, effectively putting a target on his own back.
In addition to supporting the students, the conflict was exposed in early August, when the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral responded directly to Aleksandar Vučić, accusing him of impermissible interference in church matters.
The reason was Vučić's statements about the litanies, but also his claims that within the Serbian Orthodox Church there were "wicked and dangerous" ideas about federalizing the Church and creating an "Orthodox Church in Montenegro". The Metropolitanate then said that Vučić's claims were "full of ambiguities", with a sharp and unambiguous message to the President of Serbia:
"We did not allow politicians to have the main say then, and we do not believe that politicians have the right to interpret church events today either. Their uninvited interference in church matters does not bring good to either the state or the Church," the Metropolitanate said at the time.
Methodius as a counterbalance and Vučić's protector
It is interesting that at one time, as a vicar bishop, that is, before being installed as the head of the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic, Metodije was among the bishops who did not participate in the "traditional lunches" that Aleksandar Vučić organized at the Presidency of Serbia during the Parliament. However, with his transfer to Berane, the situation changed drastically.
This is also supported by the reaction after the harsh statement of the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral, when the Diocese of Budimlje-Niksic openly sided with the President of Serbia.
While Joanikije told Vučić not to interfere in church affairs, Metodije expressed his "sincere gratitude" for his "continuous concern" for the position of the Serbian Orthodox Church, claiming that Vučić's messages "bring peace among the faithful people of St. Sava". The diocese explicitly stated that they do not see Vučić's statements as political pressure, but as "fraternal concern and a responsible strengthening of awareness as a state."
Precisely because of this demonstrated loyalty to the regime in Belgrade, it is expected that the maneuver of the SPC commission and its departure to Berane before Cetinje will be reason enough for no one to suspect that this is a politically commissioned "financial investigation" in order to silence yet another disobedient bishop.
The editorial team of the Nova.rs portal sent questions to the Serbian Orthodox Church Information Service regarding the allegations about the formation and arrival of the commission, and, as they announced, they will publish their answers if they receive them.
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