Protesters block roads to stop the enthronement of Montenegro’s first cleric

PODGORICA, Sept. 4 (Reuters) – Thousands of protesters used tires, rocks and vehicles to block roads leading to the city of Cetinje in southwestern Montenegro to try to hold a ceremony for the Serbian Orthodox Church. of enthronement for his new superior clergy.

The protests reflect tensions in the Balkan country, which remains deeply divided by its ties with Serbia, some defending close ties with Belgrade and others opposing any pro-Serbian alliance.

Montenegro abandoned its union with Serbia in 2006, but its church gained no autonomy and remained under the Serbian Orthodox Church, making it a symbol of Serbian influence.

Opponents of the enthronement of Joanikije II in the highest clerical position, known as the metropolitan of Montenegro and archbishop of Cetinje, on Saturday pushed police barricades, taking control of the roads leading to the city.

At one point, police used tear gas, but this did not allow them to disperse protesters who said they would keep the barricades overnight.

Protesters also tore down a fence that police had put up around the Cetinje monastery, where the enthronement is supposed to take place on Sunday morning.

“Today we are at the barricades because we are fed up with Belgrade denying our nation and telling us what our religious rights are,” Andjela Ivanovic told Reuters. “All religious objects (churches) built in Montenegro belong to the people here and to the state of Montenegro.”

In contrast, in the capital Podgorica, thousands of people gathered to greet the Serbian patriarch who arrived on Saturday afternoon. None of the church officials spoke of the possibility of moving the date or place of the enthronement ceremony.

Reports by Ivana Sekularac and Stevo Vasiljevic; Edited by David Holmes

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