– Declaration By the clergy of the Korça Diocese On the shameful desecration of the St. Mary Church in Permet –
We were disturbed and disgusted to watch the shameful desecration of the St. Mary Church in Permet and the hideous violence carried out on Orthodox clerics. The scene brought to mind once again the persecution of clergy and faithful which happened not so long ago by the communist regime. During that persecution the Orthodox Community underwent a great deal of irreparable damage. But also for the past two decades, as the Church has been rebuilt from its ruins, the Orthodox Community has been attacked, slandered, abused and disparaged, stolen from while its invaluable cultural heritage has been destroyed by irresponsible groups that are clearly aligned with anti-orthodox agendas. Therefore, we the Orthodox Clergy of the Korca Diocese, in the name of the entire Orthodox Community of our diocese, express our deep indignation towards this aggression on the Orthodox Church which, with the case of the Permet church, escalated in a dangerous way by harming the Orthodox people of Albania and damaging our country’s image. One cannot accept such conduct towards the Orthodox Community which has given an incomparable contribution to the foundation and consolidation of the Albanian nation. If these actions are not stopped it could seriously affect the harmony and cohesion of our society. We demand that this event be represented justly and truthfully. It isn’t our Church that has taken over the cultural center, but the contrary as the center was built on the church and its property. We demand that the state be sensitive and just towards the Orthodox Community. Sacred places can not be changed simply with legal schemes which create laws contrary to international rights. We will not cease to protect and demand our rights until they are fulfilled. We express our unwavering support for the parish of the St Mary Church of Permet as well as for our brothers who serve there.
In the name of the Orthodox Community of Korca,
The Clergy of the Diocese
