Religious Liberty Prayer List – No. 218 – Wed 07 May 2003

——————————————- SERBIA: RELIGIOUS MINORITIES FACE HOSTILITY ——————————————-

The Balkans is a hotbed of ethnic and religious hatred, the culmination of centuries of conflict without genuine reconciliation. Several religious fault-lines run in various directions. Between 1945-80, the iron fist of President Tito’s Communism suppressed ethnic and religious hatred. However, along with the death of Tito and the end of Communism came freedom to express intolerance and hate once again. Lack of reconciliation keeps the Balkans shackled to its tragic past. Serbia and the entire Balkans region needs healing in its heart, in its spirit.

The politicians, media, and Serbian Orthodox Church have been capitalising on the escalation of Serbian nationalism in recent years. Prime Minister Djindjic (who was assassinated on 12 April) tried to walk a tightrope. He angered nationalists and criminals alike with his reformist pro-West agenda, sending Milosevic to the UN war crimes tribunal in The Hague, and cracking down on organised crime. Meanwhile however, he appealed to popular nationalism by promoting Serbian icons, particularly the Serbian Orthodox Church, which is allegedly linked to ultra-right-wing nationalist bodies that disseminate disinformation and hate-speech.

The Serbian nationalist rhetoric, spread through the media and school texts over several years, is anti-West, anti-NATO, and pro Serbian Orthodoxy. Most other Christian groups, including mainline Protestant evangelical denominations, are maligned as sects or cults, leading to a culture of ethnic and religious intolerance expressed in acts of abuse, vandalism and violence. In a very positive move, the Serbian government introduced a Public Information Act in April to rein in the media. However, much damage is already done, with the young especially being radicalised and indoctrinated in intolerance and hate.

Churches of several denominations have been vandalised. At Christmas, an Anglican service was disrupted and an organised mob stopped the British Ambassador attending. Anti-Semitism is on the rise. Serbian Adventists recently complained of a series of attacks, the most serious of which left their Pastor Josip Tikvicki hospitalised with extensive, crippling injuries. He was beaten unconscious at around midnight on 15 April when he went outside to see who was stoning his church. On 27 April, his condition worsened and he collapsed in pain. The Adventist News Network reported, “Attempting a faint smile, Tikvicki said in a soft voice that his ‘assailants didn’t know what they were doing. I have forgiven them because that’s a Christian attitude to have’.” The Serbian Minister of Religious Affairs, Dr Vojislav Milovanovic, has condemned the attack. The three assailants have been arrested and await trial.

PLEASE PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR:

* justice to be served in the Tikvicki case, sending a clear message that religious violence will not be treated with impunity and will be condemned at the highest levels.

* God to strengthen a united Christian witness in fractured Serbia, empowering the Church to shine and bring spiritual healing, with all its benefits, to the nation.

* Serbia’s political leaders – Serbia and Montenegro’s President Svetozvar Marovic, Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Zivkovic, Serbian Minister of Religious Affairs Dr Vojislav Milovanovic – that God will mould and direct their hearts and minds. (Prov 21:1)

* a spiritual awakening in the Serbian Orthodox Church, that the Holy Spirit will bring conviction of sin, humility, repentance, love and a renewed passion for Jesus.

“You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.” Psalm 77:14

(See below for updates on praying for Eritrea and Sth Philippines.)

SUMMARY TO USE IN BULLETINS UNABLE TO RUN THE WHOLE ARTICLE: ———————————————————— SERBIAN RELIGIOUS MINORITIES FACE HOSTILITY

Serbian nationalism has been rising for 20 years, with governments promoting the Serbian Orthodox Church as a popularist icon. In recent years, most other Christian groups (including mainline Protestant evangelical denominations) have however been maligned. As a result, the population has been gradually radicalised, giving rise to a culture of ethnic and religious intolerance expressed in acts of abuse, vandalism and violence. Anti-Semitism is rising, and churches of various Protestant denominations are vandalised and disrupted. On 15 April, Serbian Adventist pastor Josip Tikvicki was beaten unconscious, sustaining extensive, crippling injuries. The new government is addressing these issues but has to deal with years of disinformation and indoctrination. Please pray for Serbia and the Church’s witness – the nation desperately needs spiritual healing.

———————————-

PLEASE PERSIST IN YOUR PRAYERS FOR –

ERITREA: where severe persecution is escalating sharply, with 56 more arrests (‘disappearances’) after a military swoop on evangelical Protestant civilians on 29 April.

STH PHILIPPINES: where 28 people are dead and 24 wounded after a MILF terror raid on the predominantly Christian town of Siocon on Sunday 4 May. The MILF fired on homes, the town hall, public market and hospital before engaging the army. The Islamic militants also took 13 hostages (including the mayor and his family) and have already beheaded one. MILF said the attack was the start of their revenge for the loss of their headquarters.

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The WEA Religious Liberty Commission sponsors this RL Prayer List to help individuals and groups pray specifically and regularly for religious liberty issues, and in particular to uphold the Church where it is suffering persecution.

RL Prayer is moderated by Ron Clough, a commissioner of the WEA RLC and convenor of the Australian EA RLC.

Elizabeth Kendal researched and authored this message.

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