Patriarch Porfirije of Serbia met on July 24 with Milan Antonijević, Serbia’s Commissioner for the Protection of Equality, at the Patriarchal Palace in Belgrade, where they discussed the promotion of dialogue, the protection of vulnerable groups, and the challenges facing Serbian society.
Welcoming the Commissioner, Patriarch Porfirije reaffirmed that the Serbian Orthodox Church remains committed to the Gospel values of peace, mutual understanding, and brotherly love among peoples.
The two sides agreed that, amid growing social challenges and divisions, dialogue and cooperation between institutions and society are essential.
“There must be no topic that cannot be discussed, and all of us must do everything we can,” Patriarch Porfirije said.
For his part, Antonijević noted that the mission of the independent state institution to combat discrimination and promote equality “intersects” in many respects with the mission and values of the Serbian Orthodox Church.
Particular attention was given to the issue of violence against women, which Patriarch Porfirije has repeatedly condemned. The participants discussed strengthening cooperation between the Church, the Commissioner’s Office, and state authorities, especially in light of research indicating that many victims of domestic violence remain reluctant to report their abusers.
A significant part of the meeting focused on the situation of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, with participants discussing the challenges and pressures they continue to face.
Patriarch Porfirije also presented the Serbian Orthodox Church’s initiative to support children with autism and their families. The Commissioner welcomed the initiative and expressed readiness to cooperate in developing mechanisms to strengthen support for persons at greater risk of discrimination, including persons with disabilities, children, and young people.
The Patriarch and the Commissioner agreed that Serbian society, together with its public institutions, should make further efforts to safeguard the dignity of every person as both a fundamental Gospel value and a constitutional principle, while promoting dialogue, tolerance, and equality for the benefit of all citizens.
The meeting was also attended by Dragan Čurović, Acting Chief of the Commissioner’s Office; Deacon Nikola Kostić, Secretary of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch; and Mladen Andrejić, an official of the Patriarch’s Office.
Source: Patriarchate of Serbia
