The Prime Minister of Montenegro apologized to Metropolitan Ioannikios
Prime Minister of Montenegro Zdravko Krivokapic apologized to Metropolitan Ioannikios of Montenegro and Littoral.
Krivokapić promised to sign a Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church.
As a PolitNavigator correspondent reports, the head of the Montenegrin government apologized late the night before at the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, where a solemn service took place dedicated to the enthronement of the new Metropolitan of the Montenegrin and Primorsky SOC Ioannikios. Addressing the newly elected head of the metropolis, Zdravko Krivokapic stated that he would not do anything to the detriment of the Serbian Orthodox Church, and promised to sign a Basic Agreement with this largest and traditional religious community in the country.
“I apologize if I did something wrong,” Zdravko Krivokapic said, addressing Ioannikiy.
After this, the Metropolitan and the Prime Minister walked together towards the cathedral to the applause of thousands of believers.
As a reminder, Zdravko Krivokapić, having arrived in Belgrade hours late to sign the Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church, as agreed upon with the hierarchy, abruptly proposed postponing the signing until October. This caused confusion and outrage among the Patriarchate. The Montenegrin weekly P objeda, close to nationalist President Milo Đukanović, offered its own explanation for the Montenegrin prime minister's behavior:
“The Prime Minister was warned by two representatives of the embassies of influential Western countries... that signing the agreement would be a big political mistake. And if he signs the Basic Agreement with the Serbian Orthodox Church, this act, in addition to the potential fall of the government, will also mean destabilization of the situation in the country.”
In turn, other sources suggested that by putting pressure on the Patriarchate of Belgrade, Krivokapić sought to create an autonomous Montenegrin Orthodox Church within the SOC on the model of the UOC-MP. However, the Holy Synod of the SOC did not take such a step. Another version is that with such a gesture, the Montenegrin prime minister wanted to achieve the election of Ioannikis, Metropolitan of Montenegro and Primorye, whose spiritual child he considers himself. Such “zeal” caused indignation among Ioannikis himself, who eventually became the new Metropolitan of Montenegro.
“I asked the Prime Minister of Montenegro to fulfill his promise and sign the Basic Agreement with the SOC, and not to interfere in the election of the metropolitan - this is a matter of the exclusive competence of the Holy Council of Bishops. The absurd behavior of Mr. Krivokapic is a kind of political maneuver that cannot be interpreted as a well-intentioned gesture leading to a reduction in political confrontation, which was the priority goal of his government,” the bishop commented on the actions of the head of the Montenegrin cabinet.
Let us also recall that after the refusal to sign the Basic Agreement, the political alliance "For the Future of Montenegro," which had nominated Krivokapić for prime minister, proposed to its allies in the ruling coalition that they recall the prime minister for failing to fulfill his election commitments and compromising with pro-Western nationalists and the West itself.
English version :: Read in English The Prime Minister of Montenegro apologized to Metropolitan Joanikije