Criticism of Rising Clericalization of Serbia

Kuda.org

19 February 2007

The Antifascist Action Novi Sad published an analysis of social-political and aesthetic discourse of new clerical and orthodox strategies �Criticism of Clericalization of Serbia�.

The publication presents a series of research essays and studies dedicated to the expansion of church building in Novi Sad and its surroundings over the past ten years, as well as the specific social and political ambience that provided for such urban planning approach based on principle of domination of a single code, language and ideology.

Over the past decade, scores of new orthodox churches, in variety of architectural styles, were build (or are being built) in Novi Sad and its immediate surroundings. Such church-building boom can be related to the current social-political events, with noticeable movement towards unofficial and indirect ties and intertwining between Serbian Orthodox Church and the state.

Surveys show that the Law on Churches and Religious Communities, the system of restitution of church property, financing SOC from the public funds are just several examples of such negative convergence between church and state in contemporary Serbian society.

The publication offers five research essays that analyze the expansion of church building in Vojvodina, from the viewpoints of sociology, philosophy, art history and architecture. In addition, it offers a map of newly constructed orthodox churches in Novi Sad and surrounding settlements.

The publication was prepared under the wider project to establish Youth Social Centre in Novi Sad which will promote fight against regressive phenomena such as nationalism, fascism, racism and xenophobia. The project is supported by German foundation �Schueler Helfen Leben� and Provincial Secretariat of Youth and Sports.

Criticism of Clericalization of Serbia is available for downloads from website of Kuda.org. The authors say that copying and use of essays is more than welcome, with exception of commercial use and within racist, sexist, fascist and anti-Semitic contexts.