Feb 21, 2008 / 16:40 pm
The Apostolic Administrator of Kosovo, Archbishop Dodë Gjergji said the Catholic Church there supports the creation of a new state, and he underscored the need to unite the people, saying “forgiveness and reconciliation are the only way to follow.”
During a speech at the European Parliament in Strasburg, Archbishop Gjergji said the role of the Catholic Church in Kosovo is to build “a bridge between two entities, the Muslims of Albania and Christians, who are mostly Serbian Orthodox.” He also emphasized that guaranteeing the rights of the Catholic minority in Serbia must be a priority.
“In general Albanians are supportive of Europe and of Christians, because they cannot and don’t want to deny our common values developed throughout history,” the archbishop explained. He also pointed to the great efforts being made to establish “an ecumenical dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church, as we are both Christian churches.”
Archbishop Gjergji called on the people of Kosovo to “live together in peace,” and he said the formation of the new state, which is supported by most of the countries of the European Union, should guarantee stability, peace and the rights of minorities, “especially those of the Serbs.”