Patriarch Porfirije with Cardinal Parolin discusses the endangerment of Christian heritage in Kosovo

The Serbian Orthodox Church Patriarch, Porfirije, met today with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to whom he expressed gratitude for the Holy See's stance on Kosovo.

According to a statement by the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC), Patriarch Porfirije informed Cardinal Parolin about the difficult and very concerning situation of Serbs and the endangered Christian heritage in this Serbian historical region.

"They also discussed the possibilities of providing real support for peace and preserving the presence and evangelical mission of the SPC and its head in Kosovo and Metohija for the benefit of both Orthodox Serbs, Albanians, and all others," the statement said.

The conversation partners concluded that the centenary of the Archdiocese of Belgrade is a sign of good relations between the SPC and the Roman Catholic Church in Serbia. They also emphasized the need for further improvement of cooperation between the two churches, both at the local and universal levels.

Additionally, they discussed the absurd law passed by the Ukrainian parliament, which bans the mission of the only canonical Orthodox Church in the country.

The meeting was attended by Metropolitan Irinej of Backa, Bishop Teodosije of Raska-Prizren, Bishop Gerasim of Raska-Gornji Karlovac, as well as the Apostolic Nuncio in Serbia, Santo Gangemi, Diplomatic Advisor to the Secretariat of State of the Holy See, Janusz Włachoviak, and the Chargé d'Affaires of the Apostolic Nunciature in Serbia, Simon Bolivar Sanchez Carrion.