Pope Asks Montenegro to Recognize Catholic Community

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 22, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged dialogue with the Orthodox and Muslim communities in Montenegro when receiving in audience that country's first ambassador to the Holy See.

The Pope also called for full recognition of the Catholic community in Montenegro when Antun Sbutega's presented his letters of credence today.

In his address, the Holy Father encouraged relations with the majority Orthodox community and described Montenegro, bridge between Eastern and Western Europe, "as a privileged place of that ecumenical encounter desired by all."

The Vatican seeks "a fraternal dialogue with Orthodoxy, so present and alive in the country," the Bishop of Rome stated.

"The encounter between Christians and Muslims has also found convincing progress in Montenegro," he added.

Benefiting the country

Bendict XVI said: "With complete cordialness, as in past centuries, it is possible to establish those accords that benefit the country and the Catholic community, without impairing the legitimate rights of other religious communities.

"This is the path undertaken by today's Europe that your country wishes to follow with so much hope."

The Pope added that "every Catholic is aware of the prerogatives of the state, but also aware of duties in relation to the evangelical imperatives."

Sbutega is a former university professor of economics. From 1994 to 2005, he worked in the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

In May, Montenegro invoked its right under the Constitutional Charter of Serbia and Montenegro to hold a referendum on independence from the state union. The vote for severing ties with Serbia exceeded 55% -- the threshold set by the EU -- allowing Montenegro to formally declare its independence on June 3.

Montenegro, a country of more than 630,000 inhabitants, established diplomatic relations with the Vatican on Dec. 16.