The canonically unrecognized Montenegrin Orthodox Church (CPC) called on political parties, non-governmental organizations, public, cultural and scientific workers and Montenegrin associations in the diaspora to stand in defence of the “dignity and independence” of their homeland, arguing that there is an ongoing effort to annexe Montenegro to Serbia.

The state is under attack by forces that intend to take away its independence through amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion which would provide a legal basis for 50 square kilometres of church land, 60 monasteries and 650 churches to be registered as the property of Serbia, the CPC said in a statement, as reported by Montenegro’s public broadcaster, RTCG.

The Montenegrin Church stressed that the final goal of this is to prepare the conditions for the re-annexation of Montenegro to Serbia and that Montenegrin associations in the diaspora should do everything in their power to make the international public aware of these efforts.

It urged the ruling parties in Montenegro to consider the extent of the consequences such legal changes would produce before voting for them.It also called on citizens to gather in front of the Parliament on the day when the adoption of the amendments to the Law on Freedom of Religion will be discussed to protest against „shameful occupation and treasonous proposal“.