Cardinal Ladislav Nemet stated that “respect for Serbia as a state and its decision not to recognize Kosovo plays a significant role in the Vatican’s policy,” adding that the unilateral declaration of independence is not good.
“You know, the very way Kosovo was formed is not classic. It goes beyond the framework of international political relations. I think that the unilateral declaration of independence was not a good sign at all. We know ourselves, many states have issues that have been dragging on for a long time. That’s why it’s very important to achieve this through dialogue. I think that’s the main thing for the Holy See,” Nemet said in an interview for Nedeljnik.
He emphasized that “it is equally important how this political entity, as Kosovo is now called, functions, how human rights, religious freedoms, minorities are protected…”
“These are all questions that go to the core of a state’s life. These are huge problems and the Catholic Church cannot just say: ‘okay, everything is great’. The issues of holy sites are very important, how to preserve them. These are not only holy sites for the Orthodox Church, but for world culture. We know that much of it is under UNESCO protection. And additionally – the relationship of the Catholic Church to the Orthodox world,” Nemet explained.
Asked whether Pope Leo will continue on the path of Pope Francis (who did not recognize Kosovo as independent), Nemet said that “there are no signs that he will change.”
“But on the other hand, what I also know to say, he’s only been Pope for a month,” Nemet added.
“We all know that in our region, people still mentally mostly live in World War II,” Cardinal Nemet said when asked about the canonization of Alojzije Stepinac.
“For example, today in Serbia, the greatest insult to students is to call them Ustashas. Someone who speaks like that is still stuck in the 1940s of the 20th century. And let’s look at how the world has changed. The two biggest enemies, Germany and France, have been the foundation of a new Europe for 70 years,” Nemet said.
As he further stated, “if something is not going well, then an Ustasha is pulled out, a Chetnik is pulled out, Draža Mihailović, these are all things that are pulled out unnecessarily, instead of looking to the future.”
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Source: Nedeljnik, Photo: F.S. / ATAImages