Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia, along with Metropolitans Jefrem of Banja Luka and Fotije of Zvornik-Tuzla, as well as Bishops Sergije of Bihać-Petrovac and Sava of Marča, paid a visit to the President of the Republic of Srpska, Milorad Dodik, in Banja Luka.
Also in attendance were the President’s close associates, including the Serbian member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mrs. Željka Cvijanović, the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska, Mr. Nenad Stevandić, the Prime Minister, Mr. Radovan Višković, and the Minister of Scientific and Technological Development, Mr. Željko Budimir.
President Dodik provided an update to the Patriarch and the Hierarchs on how the institutions of the Republic of Srpska plan to address the legal pressures faced since signing the Dayton Agreement in 1995, which integrated the entity into the state community of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He highlighted the politically motivated judicial process before the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a significant concern.
President Dodik stressed the unity and determination of the leadership of the Republic of Srpska in upholding the Dayton constitutional framework through political and legal channels, as it is crucial for peaceful coexistence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He expressed gratitude to Patriarch Porfirije and the Hierarchs for their support, recognizing the vital role of the Church in preserving the Serbian identity in the region.
Patriarch Porfirije, alongside all Hierarchs of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, presented a unified stance, condemning the ruling of the Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina as an attempt to undermine the will of the Serbian people and delegitimize the Republic of Srpska and the Serbian population in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“I urge those in positions of power to prioritize peace. Additionally, I call on international military forces (EUFOR) to fulfill their mandate in reducing tensions and promoting harmony, rather than posing a threat to any community,” concluded the Head of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
