SERBIA: PATRIARCH TELLS AMBASSADOR HE WANTS TO "REINTRODUCE"

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BELGRADE 000248 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL SR KV SUBJECT: SERBIA: PATRIARCH TELLS AMBASSADOR HE WANTS TO "REINTRODUCE" SERBIA TO EUROPE REF: BELGRADE 130; PRISTINA 73 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) During a courtesy call with Ambassador Warlick on February 12, Patriarch Irinej assessed the current state of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC),expressed a desire to "reintroduce" Serbia to Europe and the United States, and touched on the future of Church relations with the Vatican and the Orthodox communities in Macedonia and Montenegro. He stressed the importance of Kosovo and asked for U.S. understanding, while downplaying concerns that the removal of Bishop Artemije of Raska and Prizren could trigger unrest. The Patriarch delivered a measured and moderate message that confirmed initial impressions that he will be a willing and reasonable interlocutor as the Church fleshes out its role in Serbian society under his leadership. End Summary. State of the Church -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In response to the Ambassador's congratulations on his recent election (Ref A),Patriarch Irinej, joined by Metropolitan Amfilohije of Montenegro and the Coastlands, agreed that he had assumed a tremendous responsibility as head of the SOC. He pointed out, however, that the strength of the Church was its history, its constitution and doctrine, and its way of life. Because decisions of great importance were taken jointly by the Sabor, or Holy Assembly of Bishops, the burden of leadership was shared. This means that there was little room for "great oscillations" in the course of the Church, he said. ¶3. (SBU) The Patriarch also expressed satisfaction that the people were returning to the Church "spontaneously" as the effects of years under Communist rule waned. Emphasizing his vision of "unity of the people and the Church," Irinej explained that the SOC always had been close to the people. In practice, this meant that although the Church might have its own views on political and social issues, it also had a responsibility to listen to the people. Reintroducing Serbia to the World -------------- ¶4. (SBU) When asked by the Ambassador about his thoughts regarding Serbia's efforts to move toward the European Union, the Patriarch repeated his recent public statements that Serbia belonged to the "family of European values." Quoting SOC founder and its first Archbishop, Saint Sava, who said that Serbia was "the east of the �0A;West and the west of the East," Patriarch Irinej underlined that there was a rich history of "give and take" between Serbia and Europe. ¶5. (SBU) The Patriarch then expressed his personal opinion that there was a great need for a "different picture" of Serbia to be presented to the world, alluding to Serbia's recent history in the 1990s. Mentioning that he had travelled many times to the United States, the Patriarch told the Ambassador that he felt that there is a new opportunity to strengthen relations - between governments, people, and churches- with Europe and the United States. The Ambassador responded that we and the Serb Diaspora in the U.S. surely would welcome any further visits. Relations with the Vatican and Orthodox Communities -------------- -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Turning to relations with the Catholic Church and with Orthodox communities in neighboring states, Patriarch Irinej expressed a strong preference for dialogue in an effort to overcome existing divides and differences of opinion; he made it clear, however, that this openness did not extend to the Montenegrin Orthodox Church. He told the Ambassador that "we historically are closest to the Catholic Church" and that there needed to be a "sincere meeting" as a first step toward reconciliation. Although he agreed that the 1700th anniversary of the Edict of Milan, the letter signed by Emperors Constantine I (born in Nis) and Licinius that proclaimed religious tolerance in the Roman Empire, might be a propitious occasion for a visit by Pope Benedict XVI, Patriarch Irinej stressed that "I am not a Pope" and therefore it would be up to the Sabor to take such a decision. ¶7. (SBU) Patriarch Irinej also stated that "we will do everything we can" to fulfill our "desire" to overcome problems with the Macedonian Orthodox Church. However, he was categorical in his BELGRADE 00000248 002 OF 002 opposition to engagement with the Montenegrin Orthodox Church, which "has no doctrinal basis" for existing. Patriarch Irinej explained that the SOC "cherishes its unity" embodied by its representative in Montenegro, Metropolitan Amfilohije, who in turn called the Montenegrin Orthodox Church a "sect" that was based on politics and ideology instead of religion. Kosovo: "Our Washington" -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Perhaps tailoring his message to the audience, Metropolitan Amfilohija opted not to repeat his mantra that Kosovo was Serbia's Jerusalem, asserting instead that "Kosovo is our Washington" and eliciting chuckles from all present. The Patriarch added that Serbia without Kosovo was like a "body without a head." He told the Ambassador that Serbia expected the United States, as a free, democratic, and law-based country, to facilitate a just solution for Kosovo. He appealed to the Ambassador to be "the interpreter of our best wishes." In response, the Ambassador stressed our commitment to freedom of movement for religious figures in Kosovo and offered assistance in coordination with Pristina to ensure that the Patriarch's planned April 25 ceremonial enthronement in the Pec Patriarchate proceeded smoothly. ¶9. (SBU) The Ambassador also inquired about reports that the Holy Synod (Church government) of the SOC had directed an investigation into the finances of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren, headed by Bishop Artemije and temporarily located in Gracanica (Ref B). (The Holy Synod met on February 11 to discuss taking measures against Bishop Artemije and his assistant Simeon. Presidential adviser for Kosovo and the SOC Mladjan Djordjevic told us on February 11 that the Synod would appoint a caretaker to administer the diocese until the May 2010 Sabor. MFA Advisor Damjan Krnjevic Miskovic separately said on February 11 that the Synod would choose Bishop Joanikije of Budimlje and Niksic as the temporary administrator.) ¶10. (SBU) The Patriarch told the Ambassador that the investigation into Artemije was ongoing but that he was confident that a solution could be found "within the Church." When asked about concerns expressed by Djordjevic that enforcing the decision to suspend Artemije might result in problems, and even unrest, given his support by hard-line Serb elements in Kosovo, the Patriarch replied that "there was no reason yet" for unrest since a decision had not been taken. "We will obey the rules and this [decision] will not be catastrophic," reassured the Patriarch. Confronting Nationalism -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Questioned about the presence of copies of the right-wing nationalist magazine "Dveri Srpske" in a number of Belgrade churches (recent cover stories included denial of Srebrenica and characterization of the 1999 NATO air campaign as genocide),the Patriarch first responded that "this was the result of democracy," ostensibly referring to freedom of speech. However, when pressed by the Ambassador on the broader topic of confronting nationalism, Irinej dodged the question, stressing that the Orthodox religion was not only for Serbs and that other nationalities should also feel welcome. He also explained that the Church, which "has to be above nations," wanted its people to "love their nation but also not hate others." Comment -------------- ¶12. (SBU) In his first meeting with the Ambassador, Patriarch Irinej demonstrated many of the traits that made him the compromise candidate to succeed Patriarch Pavle. He was a careful but engaging interlocutor who emphasized dialogue and genuinely seemed to recognize the opportunity that his election provided for a Church that needed to recalibrate its mission. Although some of his early public statements suggest that he still is finding his way amidst the tremendous responsibility of leading the SOC, his willingness to take on controversial issues such as reconciliation with the Vatican and sanctioning Bishop Artemije bode well for the future. End Comment. WARLICK