Radio Free Europe reports a “powerful cleric,” Vasilije Kacavenda, from the Serbian Orthodox church has resigned after the publication of a “graphic video” appearing to show him engaged in “sexual activity” with “young men.” It’s alleged he engaged in frequent orgies and raped underage boys and girls.
But the April 22 decision by the Holy Synod to accept his resignation appears to be the first acknowledgment of the church’s growing unease with the crush of lurid accusations that seem better suited to Caligula’s court than an Orthodox diocese.
Seems he had a bit of assistance as well.
“They tried on many occasions to put me in a compromising situation myself or to pull me into their circle,” Jovanovic says. “[The bishop] also suggested that I should use the school where I was teaching science to bring him children up to the age of 10, but of course I refused. I was also a witness when abbots from other monasteries would bring theology students who would spend the night with the bishop.
“One morning, one of them called me and asked me to unlock the bishop’s room so he could get his things. I said, ‘What are your things doing in the bishop’s room?’ He said, ‘Come on, it’s not like you don’t know. Don’t pretend to be stupid.'”
The church seems to be taking this situation seriously.
Tomic, reacting to the April 22 ruling, says the decision should send a warning to Kacavenda and other members of the church and government elite that no one is beyond reproach.
Yeah. Right.
“My suggestion to believers is not to judge anyone until the truth has come out,” Grigorije says. “When we learn what the truth is, then according to our faith – and this is the paradox of our religion – we shouldn’t hate a man but love him and pray for him. But the court will do its job.”
