Contrary to the Serbian Orthodox Church Metropolitan of Montenegro and the Littoral Amfilohije, whom we all remember as stressing the unacceptability of state interference in church affairs, disgowned "Archbishop" Michael (secular Miras Dedeic) is once again trying to put religion in the service of politicians. Thus, he follows the Roman Catholic pattern of merging church and state. However this praxis not only secularizes the Body of Christ, but also contradicts the deeply engrained Orthodox mentality of the people.
As my local Serbian pen pal told me, the head of the Montenegrin dissenters has recently came out with loud accusations against the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches. And anyone who is even slightly acquainted with the political situation in the country cannot but notice how these accusations echoed the rhetoric of Prime Minister Djukanovic. Moreover, Miras Dedeic happened to make his statements just a week after the victory of the Djukanovic's ruling party had been announced.
Having been already condemned by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Dedeic couldn't have been unaware that the only way to gain independence from the Serbian Orthodox Church is repentance. Thus, there were no reasons for defrocked priest to step up against the canonical church with nationalist rhetoric and slander. Except for one: to do political put-up job.
Acting as an studious pupil of the U.S. special services, pro-Western Montenegrin leader seems to be willing deprive rebellious Montenegrins of spiritual support and Grace by replacing the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church with the ungodly NGO "Montenegrin Orthodox Church". State-funded and loyal schismatics are known to be the best tool for destabilizing society and breaking people's will to protect the Christian tradition, national interests and independence. Why else would the politicians support those who have already been condemned by the Church and defrocked?
As my local Serbian pen pal told me, the head of the Montenegrin dissenters has recently came out with loud accusations against the Serbian and Russian Orthodox Churches. And anyone who is even slightly acquainted with the political situation in the country cannot but notice how these accusations echoed the rhetoric of Prime Minister Djukanovic. Moreover, Miras Dedeic happened to make his statements just a week after the victory of the Djukanovic's ruling party had been announced.
Having been already condemned by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Dedeic couldn't have been unaware that the only way to gain independence from the Serbian Orthodox Church is repentance. Thus, there were no reasons for defrocked priest to step up against the canonical church with nationalist rhetoric and slander. Except for one: to do political put-up job.
Acting as an studious pupil of the U.S. special services, pro-Western Montenegrin leader seems to be willing deprive rebellious Montenegrins of spiritual support and Grace by replacing the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church with the ungodly NGO "Montenegrin Orthodox Church". State-funded and loyal schismatics are known to be the best tool for destabilizing society and breaking people's will to protect the Christian tradition, national interests and independence. Why else would the politicians support those who have already been condemned by the Church and defrocked?
