Terror in Kosovo: They shot at the Serbian church

The Diocese pointed out that the desecration of that place sends an undisguised message of hostility, further confirming the feeling that the Serbian people, who have lived in Kosovo for centuries, are not welcome.

The Diocese appealed to the international representatives in Kosovo and Metohija to use all their influence so that this incident was resolved, and similar incidents and systematic pressure on Serbs were stopped, and the authorities of Kosovo and Metohija called on them to stop all forms of pressure on the Serbian people, who perceive them as open terror.

In the statement of the Diocese, it is emphasized that the destruction of icons and visible damage from bullets in that sacred space, which, as reported by the locals, were discovered on the feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, represent a deeply disturbing act that further deepens the pain and uncertainty felt by the Serbian people on Kosovo and Metohija, especially lately.

It is emphasized that this incident, together with other pressures and intimidation by extremists and the so-called Kosovo Police, threatens the safety and dignity of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija.

It is added that, twenty-five years after the war, it is unacceptable that violent acts and desecrations continue to occur with impunity, which indicates the inability of the local authorities to fully ensure the security and protection of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Serbian people.

"Such actions deepen divisions on ethnic and religious grounds"

The Diocese points out that such actions have a harmful effect not only on the believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church, but also on all communities in Kosovo and Metohija, because they deepen divisions on ethnic and religious grounds and show this area as unstable, which encourages the increasing emigration of people of all communities, economic instability and threatens the future of all citizens.

"We call on the international community to ensure that special measures are taken to protect our people and the religious and cultural heritage of the Serbian Orthodox Church," said the Eparchy of Raška-Prizren in a statement.

It is emphasized that it is necessary for local and international authorities together to send a clear message that intolerance and discrimination have no place in a society where all citizens must live in mutual respect and peace, and indicates that conflicts and violence cannot bring anyone good.

"Our Church remains deeply committed to fostering peace and reconciliation. However, peace can only exist where justice reigns, and where the sanctity of religious buildings is respected and preserved, and basic human rights are respected," the Eparchy of Raška-Prizren emphasized in a statement.