The Orthodox Church has become a docile establishment church, strengthening Serb-Russian ties. As the Russian spy ship sailed from Sevastopol for the Adriatic, an Orthodox priest gave it a much-publicized blessing. There is a Russian troop contingent in the Serb area of Bosnia under the command of an American! Russia has built a church for them. The Russian soldiers say openly that their sympathies are with the Serbs, and ask how NATO can bomb Christians. Serbia TV has broadcast a film of an Orthodox shrine damaged by NATO shells. The nun denounced this, but made no mention of Serb treatment of Muslims. This selective reporting applies also to the Serb churches in the West.

What about the Vatican? When Westerners had left Belgrade, the Vatican secretary of state arrived and was photographed exchanging cordial greetings with Milosevich. However, the the same time, nuns arrived in Albania to distribute food to the Kosovo Muslim refugees. The Pope is sincerely interested in peace and the ecumenical church. At the same time, his gesture may make life easier for Catholics in Orthodox countries.

Ronald Hilton - 04/02/99