The Diocese of Prizren-Pristina has described as unconstitutional, illegal and unjustified the decision of the Kosovo Police to not allow the ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, August 18, for the blessing of the cornerstone of the new church in Zogaj, Vushtrri.
To avoid tensions, Bishop Dodë Gjergji, accompanied by several priests and believers, blessed the cornerstone on Monday, on the eve of the feast of Saints Flori and Laurus.
According to the announcement, the episcopal vicar Don Fran Cola had informed the security authorities, in accordance with the laws in force, about the holding of the ceremony on the land donated by the faithful for the construction of the religious building.
"The Kosovo Police has made a decision that the ceremony scheduled for tomorrow, August 18, 2026, will not be allowed to take place. Even after Don Fran Cola's official complaint, the Police has not canceled the decision. We consider this decision unconstitutional, illegal, unfair and unjustified, because it is about a church, religious and peaceful event, on Church property, for which the institutions were notified in time," the reaction states.
The baptism ceremony will be held on Tuesday, August 18, at 11:00 AM, at the "Saint Mother Teresa" Cathedral in Pristina.
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"Wanting to avoid any tension and so that an act of religion does not become a cause for conflict with anyone, today, August 17, on the eve of the feast of Saints Flori and Laurus, our bishop, Archbishop Dodë Gjergji, accompanied by several priests and believers, blessed the cornerstone in a calm and dignified manner. Meanwhile, the Baptism ceremony will be celebrated tomorrow, August 18, 2026, at 11:00, at the "Saint Mother Teresa" Cathedral in Pristina," the statement further states.
The diocese has emphasized that relocating the ceremony does not imply agreement with the decision or a waiver of its rights.
"The Church will continue, through institutional and legal channels, to demand respect for religious freedom, property rights, and the peaceful exercise of its mission," it further states.
The reaction expressed the belief that institutions should protect the free exercise of rights and not restrict it due to a danger that, according to the Diocese, does not stem from religious activity.
Believers and citizens who had planned to attend in Zogaj have been invited to join the ceremony in Pristina.
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"Our response to injustice will never be confrontation, but consistency; we will not respond to hatred with hatred, but with love," says the statement from the spokesperson for the Diocese of Prizren-Prishtina, Don Fatmir Koliqi.
Otherwise, today dozens of citizens participated in the laying of the cornerstone of the Catholic Church "Saint Flori and Lauri", in the village of Zogaj, Vushtrri./KSP
