War criminals are not heroes, but cowards and traitors, says the Union of Associations of NOR Fighters and Anti-Fascists of Montenegro (SUBNORA).
They are asking the competent authorities, institutions and parties in power to urgently react, "if they are allowed to do so at all", to the statement of Metropolitan Joanikije of Montenegro and the Littoral of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), who said that Chetnik duke Pavle Đurišić was a "great hero of invincible character".
"Just a few days before the numerous ceremonies that will mark eight decades since the victory over fascism in Montenegro, Europe and the world, at a memorial service in another country, Metropolitan of the Serbian Orthodox Church Joanikije proclaims the war criminal, infamous Chetnik commander and duke Pavle Đurušić, bearer of Hitler's Iron Cross and his spiritual ancestor Joanikije Lipovac, a servant and traitor of the occupation, as a hero, a martyr. These shameful statements, along with false explanations, confirm the immoral political activities of the Serbian Church, which has long been at the forefront of religious fanaticism and primitive nationalism, along with the rewriting of history and borders, for which the best sons and daughters of Montenegro, of all nations and religions, died in the fight against the occupier and domestic traitors. The 'metropolitan' has forgotten the Chetnik crimes in Lazine, Breza, the massacre of thousands of innocent Muslims and the proclamation of the priests Mace and Šiljko and their numerous brothers as saints," the statement reads.
They said that Metropolitan Joanikije, "like his brothers almost four decades ago in preparing for the war in Bosnia, is spreading hatred and proclaiming traitors as winners."
"He forgets the honorable Partisan priests who, with a cross on their shoulders and a pentagram on their hats, defended the freedom of their people - Vlado Zečević, Ruvi Žižić, Blaž Marković, and then Jevastij Karamatijević, who lost his wife, two brothers, three daughters who were slaughtered by the Chetniks, and two grandchildren in the war. Hodža Sead Music was also in the ranks of the Third Sandžak Brigade, along with his entire family, with six sons and two daughters. That cannot be forgotten," they add.
The Federation of Associations of NOR Fighters and Anti-Fascists of Montenegro say that the main task of the Serbian Orthodox Church is "falsifying facts and revising history, not only of the NOB, but also of Montenegro."
"Instead of performing services in temples, it has turned into a powerful machinery for the destruction of everything Montenegrin and civilized. It brazenly usurps the jurisdiction of state structures and determines the directions of action in the curricula of the Montenegrin education system. Metropolitan Joanikije, with his statements, fights Chetnik and traitorous battles and sows hatred among peoples. The Alliance of NOR Fighters and Anti-Fascists of Montenegro condemns such indecent and shameful behavior in the strongest terms and asks the competent authorities, institutions and parties in power to react urgently, naturally, if they are allowed to do so at all," the statement reads.
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