14.03.2014.

Blessing of military chapel for worshippers of the Roman Catholic Church

Monsignor Stanislav Hocevar, Belgrade Archbishop and Metropolitan, have blessed today place of worship for Roman Catholic believers in the Banjica barracks.

The event was attended by Nebojsa Rodic, Minister of Defence in the caretaker government, Zoran Djordjevic, State Secretary, General Ljubisa Dikovic, Chief of the Serbian Armed Forces General Staff, members of the Collegium of the General Staff, Bratislav Petkovic, Director of the Office for Cooperation with churches and religious communities and representatives of the Serbian Armed Forces.

- It has always been great event when we wish to anchor our transient life in the continuity of something like God. That is why this day is so great. We waited for it for a long time, because today there flourishes the future based on mutual understanding and messages of peace. That is why I thank all who contributed for us to be his witnesses – Archbishop Hocevar said blessing the military chapel before serving Mass in which the members of the Training Command Battalion Sergeant First Class Mihaly Erdelyi and private Erika Budji took part with First and Second Reading.

Major General Slađan Djordjevic, Head of Human Resources Department of SAF GS, said that the opening of a Roman Catholic prayer room in the Serbian Armed Forces after more than seven decades, provides for the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion of its members of the Roman Catholic faith.

- We wish that this act, as well as all other activities in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Belgrade, citizens of the Republic of Serbia of Roman Catholic faith perceive the Serbian Armed Forces sincerely as their own. Religious service, chaplains and officers contribute to bringing together believers of all religions, especially in the area of mutual understanding, tolerance, respect and cooperation. This is a mission and bridge between all people of good will – General Djordjevic said, noting that today's activity is one of the steps in the implementation of the Agreement on performing religious service between the Ministry of Defence and the Roman Catholic Church in Serbia.

By opening of another place of worship in Backa Topola the agreement will be fully implemented.

Goran Avramov, Chief Military Chaplain in the Serbian Armed Forces, recalled the history of religious services in the Serbian Armed Forces and the importance of re-introduction of religious services in its ranks.

On that occasion, Archbishop Hocevar handed the gifts and letters of appreciation to Minister Rodic, General Dikovic, Major General Sladjan Djordjevic, Bratislav Petkovic, Director of the Office for Cooperation with churches and religious communities and everyone who contributed to the opening of the place of worship. The Chief of General Staff also presented the Belgrade Archbishop Plaque of the Serbian Armed Forces.