Amfilohije: No Talks Until Law Is Revoked, Djukanovic Making His Own Autocephalous Church

Metropolitan Amfilohije (Photo: Dragan Gojic)

The Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Coast of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Amfilohije, stated on Jan. 19 that the church would not start the dialogue about the Law on the freedom of religious confession until the authorities revoke the recently adopted law, which caused protests of the Serbian Orthodox Church clergy and believers throughout Montenegro.

"How can we talk about a lie and an injustice, which is the shame of Montenegro? The most shameful thing that has happened to Montenegro is that law. We cannot discuss that," Amfilohije told reporters in Podgorica, after the church ceremony of swimming for the cross in the Moraca River.

Montenegrin President Milo Djukanovic stated on Jan. 19 that the Law on the freedom of religious confession would not be revoked and that the only dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church could be about the implementation of the law.