Montenegro’s Civil Initiative Responds to Serbian Church Criticism

Montenegro’s Civil Initiative “21. maj” has issued a strong response to recent comments made by Gojko Perović, a prominent cleric of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The initiative contends that the cleric’s remarks were driven by discomfort over the reactions of Montenegrin football fans to what they describe as “chauvinistic primitivism” from Croatian groups.

The initiative’s statement emphasizes that the core of the Serbian Church’s unease lies in the public acknowledgment of historical truths surrounding the collaboration of certain groups during World War II. According to the Civil Initiative, this recognition challenges the narratives propagated by those affiliated with the Church of Serbia. The group asserts that addressing the roles of collaborators during the war is crucial to understanding Montenegro’s history.

The statement continues, criticizing Perović’s attempts to equate the actions of the Partisan and Chetnik movements. The Civil Initiative argues that such comparisons are malicious and harmful, aimed at distorting public perception in Montenegro. They clarify that the ideological struggles faced during the communist era cannot be equated with the mass atrocities and ethnic cleansing perpetrated by Chetnik forces, particularly under the leadership of Pavle Đurišić in Montenegro.

The Civil Initiative states, “It is unnecessary to revisit these facts, as historical science has already contextualized and evaluated these events.” They assert that the historical record stands firm against any attempts to rewrite or manipulate it for contemporary purposes.

Moreover, the initiative addresses several claims made by Perović regarding the Church’s historical role in Montenegro. They argue that the Church did not facilitate the transition from slavery to feudalism and had little involvement in educational reforms. Instead, they assert that the state of Montenegro, particularly under the governance of the Petrovic dynasty, played a significant role in establishing schools and advancing education, with the Church only partially involved until proper educational authorities were established.

The statement by the Civil Initiative “21. maj” reflects ongoing tensions between different historical narratives in Montenegro and highlights the contentious relationship between the Serbian Orthodox Church and local sentiments. As these discussions continue, the implications for Montenegrin identity and historical memory remain significant.