Vatican on Kosovo

The Vatican has not recognized Kosovo out of consideration for the Serbian Orthodox Church, Cardinal Walter Casper was quoted as saying.

“We, naturally, know that Kosovo is a heavy wound and pain for the SPC. We know that Kosovo is the cradle and center of Serb orthodoxy. We understand that and wish to be considerate toward that,” said the cardinal, who is a member of the Papal Council.

Casper also pointed out that the Vatican stands in favor of protecting Orthodox monuments, monasteries and churches in Kosovo, and that he was “very upset over a certain cultural brutality”.

“Important historical, cultural and religious monuments are being destroyed in Kosovo,” he said of the ethnic Albanian attacks on Serb heritage. “This must not be (happening). History cannot be erased in that way.”

The cardinal also spoke in favor of encouraging reconciliation between Serbs and Croats.