Kotor, June 17, 1999 (IKA) – Bishop Ilija Janjić of Kotor (Montenegro) issued a public statement today, June 17, in response to violent behavior by the Yugoslav Military Police toward Catholic priests of the Kotor Diocese, Don Branko Sbutega and Don Ivan Ćorić. In this statement, Bishop Janjić condemned the violence inflicted upon these two distinguished humanitarian workers from the Caritas organization of that diocese, as well as the fact that Don Ivan Ćorić is not permitted to move freely within his parish, although he is entitled to do so according to legally issued permits from the foreign allies and the republican authorities. The bishop pointed out that he was protesting against “every form of legal and physical violence that is only legitimized by force, and not by the constitutionally based law.” The bishop of Kotor urged those responsible, “those with the means of violence and death in their hands,” not to use them against people, their freedom, their personal and civil rights. The bishop pointed out that Boka Kotorska has a great civilized heritage, and therefore even today requires no military isolation, which merely creates incidents and prevents citizens from exercising their fundamental rights. “Even in situations of the gravest conflicts, there should be no barriers even on battlefields against humanitarian and religious workers, according to planetary conventions and good traditions,” noted Bishop Janjić at the end of his statement, urging the military authorities and those responsible to perform their constitutional duties for the good and protection of the local people and not permit any of the members of the military organizations to jeopardize the dignity and constitutional rights of anyone.
Don Branko Sbutega is a distinguished art historian who is very beloved in the diocese. He is known for his voluntary undertakings, even outside the borders of Montenegro. During the armed aggression against the republics of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Serbian authorities prohibited Don Branko from entering Montenegro.