On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in the amphitheater of the Rectorate of the University of Novi Sad, a discussion panel was held on the topic "Church and religious freedom in contemporary society". The tribune was held with the blessing of His Eminence the Bishop of Bačka Dr. Irinej, organized by the Parish Administration at the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Georgi in Novi Sad.

The forum was attended by Mr. Milan Đurić, mayor of Novi Sad, Mrs. Dr. Vesna Turkulov, infectious disease specialist at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina and full professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Novi Sad, Mr. Muhamed Ziljkić, mufti of Vojvodina, Mr. Branislav Kulik, priest of the Slovak Evangelical Church a. c. in Novi Sad, priests and deacons of the Diocese of Bačka, students and professors of the University of Novi Sad and numerous citizens of Novi Sad.

At the beginning of the forum, Archpriest Brane Milovac, parish priest of the Cathedral, addressed the audience, who, in the capacity of moderator, introduced the respected speakers and pointed out the importance of the topic of the forum.

Archpriest-Stavrophor Dr. Miloš Vesin, professor at the Faculty of Theology of St. Sava in Libertyville, first spoke about the historical development of the concept of freedom in different world languages, and then he presented to those present several concrete examples of the relationship between the Church and the state on the soil of Western Europe, as well as in America and Australia continent. Concluding his presentation, Proto Miloš emphasized that today it is unfortunately forgotten that the future temple of the Holy Martyrs of Bačka on Liman will be a memorial temple not only for those who died in the January Pogrom of 1942, but also for all the victims of Novi Sad, who died immediately before , but also after that crime.

Dr. Milan Milutin, assistant professor of the Faculty of Law of the University of Novi Sad, presented the existing legal models of the relationship between the Church and the state throughout history and in contemporary society, as well as different understandings and interpretations of the concept of secularism in the light of that relationship. He concluded that according to the current legal provisions, every believer has the right to publicly express his religion and his views.

Dr. Milan Gromović, research associate, pointed out, in the light of Serbian poetics and literature, the reflections and cultural response to the sufferings of the Serbian people through examples of the works of famous Serbian writers. In conclusion, he pointed out that we must never forget that the Church is the pivot of freedom and that the construction of the future temple on Liman is the responsibility of all of us.

Nemanja Vujić, student vice-dean, spoke about the importance of the identity of the holy martyrs of Bačka, because they suffered martyrdom because of their identity. He pointed out the importance of the future temple of the Holy Martyrs of Bač as a kind of university temple, which has its deep foundation in the tradition of all famous world universities, and underlined that the construction of the temple cannot endanger anyone, as well as that the temple is a real need of the students at the University of Novi Sad.

At the end, Archpriest Brane Milovac addressed the attendees, who expressed special gratitude to Mr. Milan Đurić and Dr. Vesna Turkulov, as well as representatives of churches and religious communities, for their wholehearted support regarding the construction of the temple of the Holy Martyrs of Bač in the Novi Sad settlement of Limanu.

The next dialogue forum will be held on Tuesday, May 28, in the amphitheater of the Rectorate of the University of Novi Sad, starting at 7 pm.

Source: Diocese of Bačka