The US Embassy in Podgorica expressed concern that Doctor of Theology, Archpriest of the Serbian Orthodox Church, head of the publishing house of the Budimla-Niksic diocese, publicist, historian and professor Nikola Marojevic became a member of the Steering Committee of the University of Montenegro, Balkanist writes.

The American diplomatic mission stated that “in the name of the progress of civil society in Montenegro, independent institutions that serve the interests of the public should not be under the unacceptable influence of any religious community.” It is worth noting that Nikola Marojevic joined the Steering Committee of the University at the suggestion of the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of Montenegro, Vesna Bratić.

The mayor of Niksic, Marko Kovacevic, also supported his appointment, calling the priest “one of the outstanding intellectuals of Montenegro.”

Analytical journalist from Podgorica Igor Damyanovich reminded the US Embassy how the inauguration of the President takes place in the United States itself.

“In the presence of a Catholic priest, Joe Biden took an oath on a 127-year-old family Bible. [US Vice President] Kamala Harris swore on two Bibles. The appointment of Professor Maroevich caused the expected irritation among the guardians of the Aryan purity of the Montenegrin institutions. They continue the trend of normalizing the rhetoric of hatred, stigmatization and deprivation of Montenegrin citizens of Serbian nationality of the rights,” said Damjanovic.