NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      BELGRADE, Yugoslavia (CWNews.com) - The Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic following the end of the 3-month NATO air war against their country.

      The synod, the leadership of the Orthodox Church in the country, said the resignation of Milosevic and his government was "in the interest of the people and their salvation." The statement added, "Every sensible person has to realize that numerous internal problems and ... the isolation of our country on the international scene, cannot be solved or overcome with this kind of government and under the present circumstances."

      The synod also called for the protection of Orthodox shrines and monasteries in Kosovo following the withdrawal of Yugoslav troops from the region under the peace implementation plan. The church leaders fear that the return of ethnic Albanians and the exodus of Serbs will leave the church's holiest sites unprotected by those bent on revenge. The statement also urged Kosovo Serbs to stay in the region and "remain on their ancient homesteads and not abandon their shrines, convinced of the truth in Christ's words: 'Salvation shall come to the steadfast.'"

      The synod statement in its criticism of Milosevic, however, rejected the international war crimes tribunal's indictment of Milosevic. The synod said they are "convinced that the final justice is with our Lord and not in the hands of an instrumentalized court in The Hague."

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