SPC bishop – Montenegro row continues

Metropolitan Bishop Amfilohije has condemned Montenegro's decision to deny Bishop Filaret entry into that country. Amfilohije, a Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) dignitary based in Montenegro, said that country's government "must make a quick decision" on whether to allow Filaret to enter its territory, describing its actions in the case as "yet another of Montenegro's insane moves at the start of the 21st century". SPC bishop – Montenegro row continues He said that “no one in Montenegro, not even the Turkish occupiers, has ever prohibited Orthodox bishops from traveling through their countries and performing their duties.” He went on to say that the government in Podgorica had to realize "the historical dimensions" of the controversy, and allow Bishop Filaret entry. “The Hague has earlier said that it would not insist on this, and that it would not hold it against Montenegro for enforcing such a ban, which is in itself questionable,” Amfilohije claimed. He said that condemning someone without charges or a conviction, without an indictment or the possibility of defending themselves, is firstly, against international laws. “Besides that, pressure is being put on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. Because of this, I hope that the Montenegrin government will look into its decision; the faster the better for the government and for Montenegro,” Amfilohije believes. Bishop Filaret began a hunger strike two days ago after being denied entry to Montenegro to for the second time. He is on a Hague list of people suspected of being war crimes fugitives' helpers. Both Amfilohije, a vocal opponent of Montenegrin independence, and Filaret, are considered to be among the hard-line faction within the Serbian Orthodox Church. Bishop Filaret has embarked on a hunger strike (FoNet)

SPC bishop – Montenegro row continues

He said that “no one in Montenegro, not even the Turkish occupiers, has ever prohibited Orthodox bishops from traveling through their countries and performing their duties.”

He went on to say that the government in Podgorica had to realize "the historical dimensions" of the controversy, and allow Bishop Filaret entry.

“The Hague has earlier said that it would not insist on this, and that it would not hold it against Montenegro for enforcing such a ban, which is in itself questionable,” Amfilohije claimed.

He said that condemning someone without charges or a conviction, without an indictment or the possibility of defending themselves, is firstly, against international laws.

“Besides that, pressure is being put on the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro. Because of this, I hope that the Montenegrin government will look into its decision; the faster the better for the government and for Montenegro,” Amfilohije believes.

Bishop Filaret began a hunger strike two days ago after being denied entry to Montenegro to for the second time.

He is on a Hague list of people suspected of being war crimes fugitives' helpers.

Both Amfilohije, a vocal opponent of Montenegrin independence, and Filaret, are considered to be among the hard-line faction within the Serbian Orthodox Church.