"Not known" if Church will take part in Brussels talks

"Not known" if Church will take part in Brussels talks

"That remains to be seen. When it comes to essential issues of Kosovo and Metohija only mindless people could exclude the Church."

Asked whether the SPC would have its representatives in Brussels, Amfilohije, according to Tanjug, "compared their non-participation with Education Minister Srdjan Verbic's idea to excommunicate religious education from schools."

Asked whether "it was time for the Church to have a say on the country's political issues this year," the SPC dignitary replied, "The ancient truth holds true for the Church - nothing of that which is human is alien."

Also today, a Belgrade daily reported that a SPC delegation on Saturday met with Pope Francis, when his visit to Serbia and plans to canonize Alojzije Stepinac were reportedly discussed.

Amfilohije confirmed that the delegation had traveled to Rome and that Stepinac was discussed, but denied that the pope's visit was also on the agenda.