Serbian theologian: Law changes operationalize 'Saint Sava University' idea

Theologian Vukašin Milićević has voiced strong criticism regarding the proposed amendments to Serbia's Law on Churches and Religious Communities, which are currently undergoing expedited parliamentary procedure. Milićević, a former university professor, contends that these changes are essentially a mechanism to operationalize the concept of establishing a "Saint Sava University."

A primary concern for Milićević is the integration of higher education regulation within a law governing churches and religious communities. While acknowledging the existing law permits religious entities to found educational institutions at all levels, he points out that the proposed amendments go further. "This is not about a church or religious community simply establishing a new educational institution, but rather the state pre-emptively committing to finance one particular religious community's school from the budget," he explained to Danas newspaper.

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According to the current law, the church has the possibility to establish educational institutions at all levels, that is not disputed. But this is not about a church or religious community simply establishing a new educational institution, but rather the state pre-emptively committing to finance one particular religious community's school from the budget.

Milićević anticipates that this will result in a private school operating with public funding status. He specifically noted that the draft legislation indicates the Orthodox Theological Faculty, currently part of the University of Belgrade, would be a constituent part of this new university. He believes this move aims to create an alternative to the University of Belgrade, framed within what he describes as a "so-called ideological project."

The initiative to establish the "Saint Sava University" was officially announced through a memorandum of cooperation signed between Serbian authorities and the Serbian Orthodox Church on May 8th.

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Obviously, their idea is to create some kind of alternative to the University of Belgrade, primarily, in the context of the so-called ideological project they represent.