Although it is being discussed in all public spheres after the parliamentary elections in August 2020, the strong participation of the Serbian Orthodox Church in politics begins in the middle of 2019, when the adoption of the Law on Freedom of Religion was announced, which would require religious communities to prove ownership of buildings that were built before 1918.
The former and current head of state and the Democratic Party of Socialists are at the party congress Milo Djukanovic announced that he would restore the autocephalous Montenegrin Church, the announced Law was adopted at the end of 2019, which was followed by mass protest rallies, and everything culminated in the significant participation of the SPC in the election campaign, which resulted in the first change of government in Montenegro in the elections.
Negotiations on the mandate of the new government were conducted in the Ostrog monastery, which later became the former prime minister Zdravko Krivokapic explained that the metropolitan at that time was Montenegrin and Littoral Amphilochius tried to unite the winners of the election. Two and a half years later, there are numerous discussions on the topic of the secularity of Montenegro, some claim that the country is sliding towards theocracy, others point out that religious freedoms were interpreted from a repressive key and that nothing unusual is happening. The fact is that issues related to the church are so prevalent in the public eye that they have directly or indirectly led to the overthrow of governments. Krivokapić's government fell after cracks emerged in the events surrounding the enthronement of the new metropolitan of Montenegrin and Littoral Joanikia, while the formal reason for the vote of no confidence in the Government Dritan Abazović either the signing of the fundamental contract with the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Both the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Islamic Community have no doubt that the secular system is good for both the state and religious communities, but they indicate that they are against being excluded from social events.
Priest of the Metropolis of Montenegro and the Littoral Gojko Perovic for "Vijesti" he says that the principle of separation of church and state in terms of the functioning of state and church institutions, their organizational separation and non-intertwining is a political pattern that has no valid alternative.
"History has shown that. If we add to that that the basic biblical principles advocate this separation, it is clear that the Church accepts and advocates secularity understood in this way. The social situation we have today in Montenegro is mainly a consequence of the previous political government's unsuccessful attempt to brutally destroy that separation, which led to the collapse of that same government, and the emergence of some new processes that are largely positive and democratic," Perović believes.
He points out that the Metropolis does not support "and what is rare to find in the countries of the Euro-Atlantic world, to which we declaratively aspire", forms of aggressive and exclusive secularism "as a very intolerant ideology".
"It advocates the exclusion of the Church from public life, the prohibition of its advertising and appearance, and the unnatural opposition of civil life and the Church. In our opinion, this is a single-minded totalitarian ideology that we call secularism, while the secular organization of society, which affirms the positive role of religion, churches and religious communities, although it does not give them a place in state institutions and branches of government, is something that is positive and desirable. for both the Church and the state", concludes Perović.
Reis of the Islamic community in Montenegro Rifat Fejzic says that the contemporary secular concept is interpreted and applied by power holders in different ways.
"The clear separation of state and spiritual responsibilities is conditioned by ideological prejudices, exclusivity and, not so rarely, tendencies to informally combine these responsibilities with the aim of expanding political power and influence. Perceiving faith exclusively as a private matter of the individual, that is, as an instrument of political power, are extremes that are not immanent in a democratic society in a modern state. Also, ideas about a state with a state religion, that is, theocracy as the most desirable political system, are anachronistic ideas and as such belong to history," Fejzić points out.
He states that the basis of the demarcation of religious and civil jurisdictions lies in the free and autonomous activity of religious communities within their legitimate jurisdiction and legal order.
"On the other hand, it implies non-interference of the state, i.e. its neutral attitude towards religious internal organization and religious affairs, creation of conditions for unhindered exercise of religious rights and freedoms, equality of religious communities, and provision of material support. At the same time, the mission of both civil and spiritual structures should be the common good and the progress of society as a whole. In this sense, the Islamic community is continuously recognized as a subject that contributes to the common good and progress", says Fejzić.
He pointed out that during the epidemic, IZ facilities were available to health institutions, and that the Islamic community from the diaspora and individuals donated significant funds.
"Our resources are also aimed at attracting investments, spreading a positive image of our country through internal and international communications. The humanitarian and social work of the Islamic community is indiscriminate, and in this sense we offer a model of cooperation with the state, but also with other religious communities. We stand for equal treatment of minority and majority cultural, religious and other groups, i.e. the principle that none of the different cultural groups can dominate the others", concludes Fejzić.
Sociologist and professor at the University of Montenegro Biljana Maslovaric believes that the problem of reviewing the organization of Montenegro does not formally exist because it is regulated by the Constitution, and Montenegro is defined as a secular and civil state.
She pointed out that politicians opened the door to a certain influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro with a series of wrong moves, from the selective resolution of church issues in relation to the state (contracts signed with other religious communities), to the abolition of civic education and civic education. She also reminded that DPS planned and announced the formation of the church.
"On the other hand, the SPC united the general dissatisfaction and took steps that were favorable for it - to realize the right to sign the basic contract", she reminds.
He believes that there were clear steps towards the abolition of secularism and that this is supported by the fact that a church person was nominated for the Board of Directors of the UCG, but luckily that intention was prevented.
"This strong wave of attempts to clericalize Montenegro was stopped precisely, I think, because of the signed basic contract. All in all, it is clear more than ever that the civil concept of society is defended, built and preserved in such a way that there is space for cooperation and permeation of all factors, but according to the law and according to the fields of action of the state and church authorities", Maslovarić concluded.
Croatia: Conservative groups hidden behind the Church are pushing for changes in the law
Even before Croatia signed the Vatican treaties, religious education was introduced in elementary schools as an optional subject, but without an alternative, which violated the constitutional and legal principle of secularism. It is an old complaint that can be heard again and again from different addresses, primarily from parents whose children are discriminated against because they do not enroll in religious education, and regularly from the secularist association "Protagoras". Last year, the Ministry of Science and Education created a curriculum for the alternative subject Critical Thinking, but whether anything will come of it is still unclear. According to the 2021 census, the number of Catholics in Croatia dropped from 86,28 percent of the population in 2011 to 78,97 percent. However, while this information is contested by some for methodological reasons (those who declared themselves a Christian on the first question about their religious affiliation were included in the "other Christians" section), it is not disputed that the number of atheists in Croatia has increased.
Prof. Dr. Lino Veljak observes a trend: in 2001, the number of atheists, agnostics and undecideds was 5,20 percent, in 2011, 6,74 percent, and in the census from the year before last, 10,15 percent. "It is in line with the trends in Western countries. However, despite everything, Croatia is still a predominantly Catholic country," says Veljak. Sociologist Nikolina Hazdovac Bajić, who conducted research on secularism in Croatia last year, points out that Croatian citizens show a distinct polarization regarding the meaning of religion and secularity: some of them believe that ideological-political clericalism prevails in society, which, due to the strong position of the Catholic Church, strongly influences all spheres of society, and part of it is that secularism is a fundamental value of modern democracies that also enables religious groups to fight for their views. It is noticeable, however, that recently the pressure on the legal system is increasing through appeals to religious authority and religious and pseudo-religious rituals, which includes groups that pray in the central square of Zagreb, in front of hospitals and elsewhere.
In Poland, which has already lost several cases at the European Court of Human Rights, such initiatives have resulted in an extreme law that prohibits abortion even in cases where the mother's health is at risk. Groups that are connected to the Church, even though their members are not directly from the Church, in a series of states put pressure on changing the legal system in this way - points out Assoc. Ph.D. Marijana Bijelić, assistant professor at the Department of South Slavic Literatures of the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb and a member of "Protagora", adding that the "Ordo Iuris" association, which operates internationally and is strongest in Poland, has a program goal of changing the legal system and returning to the pre-republican concept of government and the state .
In Croatia, a number of associations present themselves as initiatives that are not structurally related to the Catholic Church and it cannot be said that the bishop issued them an order or permission, but they use the church's infrastructure and advocate for legal solutions pushed by the Church. These are, for example, the associations "In the name of the family", "Vigilare" and "Walk for Life", which is not officially connected to the Church, but organizes buses that bring nuns and priests to their events.
"It's a double game," Bijelić points out, explaining that believers, of course, have the right to associate, but also that with these groups it is not clear what is a religious organization and what is an association.
"These are also ways to extract money, so the Church is financed twice or three times: by parishes, especially religious education, especially the University and faculties related to the Church, especially kindergartens and other institutions, and finally associations and quasi-associations that may not even be supported by the whole church hierarchy," she adds.
When asked whether extremist changes in the law could happen in Croatia, as in Poland, he assessed that this would not happen unless there was instability and a worsening of the situation.
"The HDZ is on the trail of the German CDU, in which they show their identity as Catholics, they will go to the front rows at Masses and the like, but they are definitely not in favor of banning abortion and the like," claims Assistant Professor Bijelić, stating that it is bad in Croatia that the identity very often used to replace a political position.
"If you conduct a survey, you will see that the majority of declared Catholics do not agree with many of the political solutions advocated by the church hierarchy, but their large number of declarations is used to impose such solutions," says Marijana Bijelić, who, despite the criticism she has directed at the Catholic Church, notes that the actions of the top of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Russian Orthodox Church in the countries of the region are more dangerous because they are on the side of state and parastate, warlike policies that can lead to an escalation of conflicts.
BiH: Public space is a terrain for the conflict of political religions
While we claim to strive for true pluralism and democracy, we witness that the power, influence and function of religious institutions is growing stronger. The political sphere is permeated with ethno-nationalist narratives. The non-religious worldview in Bosnia and Herzegovina hangs on the edge of the precipice. The self-sufficiency of human reason is seen almost as a depravity.
There is no doubt: ethnic affiliation, which, not necessarily, but in Bosnia and Herzegovina most often comes with religious affiliation, is deeply rooted in the consciousness of our society. Political parties, especially nationalist ones, mostly appeal to members of one ethnic group, emphasizing religious affiliation. The views of certain political structures are often passed through religious institutions.
"It is the moral right of the Serbian people to say "no to NATO", said the Metropolitan of Dabrobosna Chrysostom in an interview for the Russian "Gazeta" in 2019.
He added that "in the Balkans, there is great pressure, real violence against the Serbian people in the Balkans to side with NATO and America".
Director Dino Mustafić believes that "BiH is still far from true plurality and democracy, so these topics are also exclusively viewed from very strict, rigidly atheistic or religiously exclusive points of view".
"Our key problem is that our public space is becoming a scene, a conflict of one political religion against another political religion. Religious communities have their party preferences and openly play the political game. Laicism is under threat in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so even the distinction between atheism and theism they have no social significance or meaning in public discourse", says Mustafić.
Leader of the SDA Bakir Izetbegović in addresses and statements, he most often speaks directly only to Bosniaks. The citizens of BiH, as a whole, are always somewhere in the shadows.
"The connective tissue of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Bosniaks, if there were no Bosniaks, I don't know how long Bosnia would last, and the connective tissue within the Bosniaks is faith," said Izetbegović, appearing on a local media.
And the leader of HDZ BiH Dragan Covic in 2018, during a visit to returnees, exclusively Croats, in Republika Srpska, he said that "there is no return where there is no Catholic Church".
Prof. Ph.D Asim Mujkic, sociologist and philosopher, emphasizes that "the degree of secularity can be measured based on the status that dominant religious communities have in society, but also according to the presence of religious phrases and concepts in public discourse."
"Let's ask ourselves what would be the political fate of a candidate who would publicly declare that he is an atheist or agnostic (as the former president of the Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipović)? Likewise, we should not forget to what extent the institutions of religious communities in BiH participated in the legitimization of domestic ethnopolitics. To what extent do they still do that today? After all, many intellectuals from the religious milieu wrote against this kind of instrumentalized religiosity", emphasizes prof. Dr. Mujkic.
He notes that, on the other hand, the very concept of the secular state is undergoing transformation.
"We must move away from the radical model of the complete exclusion of religion from public discussions. We should try to include them in dialogue, however, to what extent are religious institutions that enjoy a privileged status in society able to accept that they are only one of the interlocutors in the public discussion? While ethno-political subjectivization dominates in Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to which the political subject is the people and not the individual citizen, religion, as the most important differentia specifica among our peoples, will play a significant role in the overall ideological narrative of ethno-nationalism", concludes Prof. Dr. Mujkic.
Serbia: Church more equal than all
That he is the Minister of Education of Serbia Branko Ruzic had the courage and on January 27 went to the "Aleksa Šantić" Elementary School in the Banat town of Sečanj and broke the celebration cake with the local priest, he would have received, as uncle Jova Zmaj says, one positive count. Not because the Day of Enlightenment is celebrated that way, but because he cut down the "Aleksa Šantić" elementary school and the principal who opposed the religious ceremony with the words "how else is glory celebrated than by breaking a cake", and proved it with a personal example. Although Minister Ružić, a socialist by political orientation, and a guardian by order and coalition agreement, knows very well that Serbia is a secular country, that neither the church nor the party are welcome in school, and that National Education Day is marked by the best results of children and their teachers, not candles, chants and incense.
The introduction is a bit longer, but important, although in the so-called in modern Serbia, there are many more serious offenses when the intimate relationship between the church and the state is on the agenda. Whereby the church refers to the Serbian Orthodox Church, and the state refers to the government. It is an open secret that another godless person in the ranks of the government, the president of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, he goes to consult with the patriarch more often Porphyry, earlier Irenaeus, but with the parliament. And the bishops don't really love him much, but, my God, as they say, they love his curds because they will keep all the privileges they have, and if necessary, add some more, just so they don't insult him publicly. As for Vučić, it's the same, he doesn't go to worship because the SPC is closer to his heart than the party, the parliament or the government, no, the patriarch and the SPC are his key asset in solving difficult political disputes, especially Kosovo.
And Vučić is not the first to do it so rudely, and he won't be the last either; the right a little more to the right of him would not even enter the parliament without incense and candles, and the left, if by any chance it came to power, would look towards the Patriarchate every morning, just in case, to stop criticism like Boris Tadić did when he was president . Because it's been more than three decades, according to the calculation Slobodan Milosevic SPC, instead of an opponent of the regime, became a collaborator, things repeat. It would be a farce, if it were not a tragedy. The communist-socialist Milošević brought the SPC back into the political arena and public life, because in pre-war, especially wartime, blessings and forgiveness were necessary for him. In return, he received the blessings of the bishop for all the official and unofficial "warriors" who were rampaging through BiH, Croatia, Kosovo, and Serbia itself. Especially at the time when the SPC was led by Patriarch Pavle, who is celebrated today as a saint, but who for a long time could not resist the "charm" of the newly found Serbian trinity - crown, sword and cross.
One could write more about the pre-history of the not renewed but newly acquired love between the government and the church in Serbia and show how Serbia is contrary to the constitutional definition of a secular republic.
"Secularism is an arrangement based on the separation of religious and public institutions, that is, the neutrality of state institutions based on religion or belief. With that in mind, it is clear that Article 11 of the Constitution of Serbia is a dead letter. Almost all state institutions in Serbia have certain religious characteristics. Cities, municipalities, and even public companies have baptismal celebrations, the school day is celebrated according to St. Sava, and uniformed members of the Serbian Armed Forces carry the icons on liturgies and the coffin of the deceased patriarch," a religious analyst told "Danas". Drasko Djenovic.
And he is not wrong, because today in Serbia it has become unthinkable to mark something without a priest - primarily Orthodox, but the others are not far behind either. This is how the "incense" of the waterworks in Novi Sad was recorded, the blessing of traffic lights, slaughterhouses, kindergartens... because all other traditional churches and religious communities are also welcome; if not as allies, at least as reconciled and bribed opponents.
And according to the Law on Churches and Religious Communities, which in Article 6, in accordance with the Constitution, guarantees the autonomy of churches and religious communities that they are "independent of the state and equal before the law", Serbia has five traditional churches: the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, the Slovak Evangelical Church av church, the Reformed Christian church and the Evangelical Christian church av There are also the Islamic religious community and the Jewish religious community", and another 30 religious communities registered in the Register, while the register is not expanding! All these churches and communities and their priests and priestesses, their businesses and schools, have a special status. They don't pay taxes, they are the first according to the law on the restitution of property confiscated after the Second World War, when the church was aggressively pushed to the margins of society, property returned, religious teachers have guaranteed salaries and pensions, the circulation of "services" and property is not controlled... Their bishops and priests do not come before the earthly court - not even in drastic proven cases of pedophilia and theft, because the otherworldly court is "competent" for them. But even among equals, as with Orwell, there are more equals, so SPC is the alpha and omega of Serbian society. A bit from the shadow of political leadership, but stronger even than when it formed the holy trinity because then it was clear who was in charge of the state and all lives and treasures.
Bonus video:
