On July 14, 2025, a public statement was issued regarding the criminal complaint filed against Metropolitan Methodios of Budimlja-Nikšić.
In the statement, Methodios declares the allegations baseless and legally unfounded, emphasizing that the complaint originates from organizations with evidently intolerant motives. He denounces the complaint as part of a political persecution campaign against the Serbian Orthodox Church and an attempt to restrict the rights of its faithful and clergy. Metropolitan Methodios defends his right to freedom of expression and the constitutional legitimacy of his statements while firmly condemning the crimes committed by totalitarian regimes of the past. Metropolitan Methodios also emphasizes his pastoral duty to warn against the dangers of estrangement from the Church. He affirms that he can only be held accountable if defending fundamental rights is considered a criminal offense.
Read below the full statement:
“The allegations in the criminal complaint filed against me are entirely unfounded and legally absurd.
The complaint was submitted by a non-governmental organization whose founder has repeatedly expressed intolerance toward the Serbian Orthodox Church based on religion and nationality. We believe this is the primary motive behind the complaint. We view this complaint and others like it as part of an ongoing political persecution of the Church, as well as an attempt to suppress the freedom of expression of its clergy and followers in Montenegro.
It is unacceptable for police and judicial authorities to interpret pastoral sermons, as this fosters censorship and self-censorship practices prohibited by the Constitution and incompatible with a democratic society.
Contrary to accusations of constitutional violations, our speeches reinforce core constitutional values, such as the right to dignity and a fair trial and the freedoms of thought, conscience, and expression.
We unequivocally denounce the crimes of the totalitarian regimes of Ustashism and Titoism, which resulted in persecution, mass executions, and the destruction of cultural and religious heritage. Publicly condemning these regimes is not inciting hatred; rather, it is a reminder of historical facts and a warning against the potential resurgence of such practices.
Our reference to General Dragoljub Mihailović as the “first resistance fighter in Europe” is based on well-documented historical sources and cannot be considered a criminal offense.
We reject any interpretation of our speeches as glorifying crimes or criminals.
As a bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Church, I fulfill my pastoral duty to inform the faithful of the dangers of drifting away from the Church – a fundamental right and obligation of mine.
I am only responsible for the content of my speeches if defending national equality, personal freedom, truth, and justice within the framework of the law and the Constitution is deemed a criminal act.
Respectfully,
Metropolitan of Budimlja-Nikšić
Methodios
