ADMINISTRATURA APOSTOLIKE E PRIZRENIT

ADMINISTRATIO APOSTOLICA PRISRIANENSIS

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Mons. Mark SOPI

Bishop of Kosova – Catholic Church

Wednesday, May 18, 2005, at 10:30

Hearing: “Kosovo: Current and Future Status”

Congress of the United States –

Committee on International Relations

Washington, DC

Honorable Members of Congress,

I feel honored to be here before you, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak.

Much has been spoken and written about Kosova, and I feel that the time has come to finally solve the problem of final status with the happiest solution for the good of all of Kosova’s citizens. I believe that you have made the right decision to give my colleagues and me the opportunity to present our views, because as members of the Catholic clergy we are an integral factor, not an irrelevant one, in the Kosovar reality.

As you know, Kosova is situated in the Balkans, in the southeastern part of Europe, covering a surface of about eleven thousand square kilometers and with a population of about two million. The overwhelming majority of the population is Albanian (93 percent) and the remaining 7 percent are Serbs, Montenegrins, and other small minorities. Regarding religious affiliation, 90 percent of Kosova’s population are Albanian Muslims, 4 percent are Albanian Catholics, and 6 percent are Serbian Orthodox Christians.

Kosova’s Albanian Catholics have been practicing Christianity since the time of Saint Paul and his disciples. Kosova’s Muslims were also once Catholics, but during the Ottoman-Turkish rule that lasted for five centuries, they gradually converted to Islam. The overwhelming majority converted to Islam during the 17^th and 18^th centuries. Many Albanian Muslims feel nostalgic for their ancestors’ Christian faith, and it is not unlikely that they will return to it. Today we are witnessing conversions, and this phenomenon is on the rise. Conversion is possible because of the religious tolerance that is a hallmark of life in Kosova and among Albanians—something that has been noted by foreigners for centuries. I can rightly say that today we represent an example for the region and beyond of how to live in peace with various faiths.

Although many wars have taken place in the history of Southeast Europe, the civilian population was never involved and good, neighborly relations were always maintained. In numerous cases one side protected the other and vice versa. During the last war, 1998-1999, the peaceful coexistence among ethnic groups was severely disrupted. Interethnic enmities occurred because the Serbian regime used the local Serb-Montenegrin population to exercise violent acts against the Albanian population, including very serious crimes.

The Catholic Church has openly condemned the damage and destruction of religious sites or any other form of violence. In March 2004, the grave occurrences of arson happened as a result of the involvement of religion in politics. We believe that the assertion that Orthodox religious sites were and are being targeted and destroyed just because they happen to be Christian churches is false. If this were the case, then the same fate would have befallen the Catholic churches of Kosova. In addition, many Orthodox churches have remained not only untouched for centuries, but it was the Albanians who safeguarded them. It is important to stress that religion has no place in daily politics, and neither does the involvement of clergy in the exercise of state policies with political leaders. Identification with politics has always brought great damage to the church, as happened in Kosova’s case. I am sure that if the Orthodox Church would distance itself from the authorities in Belgrade, at least when considering Kosova, it would not be viewed as a potential enemy of Albanians, and its aspirations and religious sites would never again be attacked.

As stated above, a very high percentage of the Albanian population is Muslim. Nevertheless, one may not speak of Islamic fundamentalism in Kosova. Certain individuals may have this tendency, but generally speaking one may not attach this label to Kosova.

We, as a Catholic Church, with all the necessary structures of a diocese were and continue to remain forever open to coexistence and cooperation. We wish to live together with everyone and with mutual respect for the good of all Kosovars, regardless of religion or ethnicity. This is the principle stance of the Gospel, which is exemplified by Mother Teresa of Calcutta, daughter of Kosova, and the inexhaustible deeds of the great Pope John Paul II.

Now when we are on the threshold of settling the status of Kosova, we strongly believe that there can be no other solution but independence! Kosova’s independence endangers no person or country, but instead it serves the good of all Kosovars and furthers the stability and prosperity of the region.