The important role of the Church in assisting victims of domestic violence
His Holiness Serbian Patriarch kyr Porfirije met on 17 March 2026, at the headquarters of the Patriarchate in Belgrade with Ms. Tatjana Macura, Minister without Portfolio in charge of coordinating activities in the fields of equality, prevention of violence against women, and the economic and political empowerment of women.
The meeting took place in a constructive and open atmosphere, with mutual readiness for joint work on issues of great social importance, such as the prevention and suppression of violence, especially violence against women. The interlocutors emphasized that religious communities, and in particular the Serbian Orthodox Church, represent important partners in this process.
Research shows that as many as 37 percent of victims of violence turn to the Church for help, of whom 82 percent are satisfied with the support provided. In addition to the Church, victims most often turn to the Police and to social welfare centers.
The interlocutors agreed that a common task is to provide additional training for clergy to whom victims turn, so that they may be able to offer adequate assistance independently or to refer victims in a timely manner to specialized institutions.
Patriarch Porfirije pointed to the importance of fostering a culture of respect, care, and solidarity, emphasizing that every form of violence is contrary to fundamental Christian values and to human dignity.
Patriarch Porfirije and Ms. Macura also discussed improving cooperation in providing support to particularly vulnerable groups, such as single mothers and families with many children who are in a difficult economic situation, through Religious Charitable Guardianship, which has the capacity and experience to provide effective assistance to these categories.
The meeting was attended by: His Grace Bishop of Toplica kyr Petar, Coordinator of Religious Charitable Guardianship; Deacon Nikola Kostić, Secretary of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch; Mr. Nemanja Radojević, Special Advisor to the Minister; Mr. Miodrag Pantović, Chief of Staff to the Minister; Ms. Aleksandra Jovanović and Mr. Petar Stevanović, Advisors to the Minister.
The meeting took place in a constructive and open atmosphere, with mutual readiness for joint work on issues of great social importance, such as the prevention and suppression of violence, especially violence against women. The interlocutors emphasized that religious communities, and in particular the Serbian Orthodox Church, represent important partners in this process.
Research shows that as many as 37 percent of victims of violence turn to the Church for help, of whom 82 percent are satisfied with the support provided. In addition to the Church, victims most often turn to the Police and to social welfare centers.
The interlocutors agreed that a common task is to provide additional training for clergy to whom victims turn, so that they may be able to offer adequate assistance independently or to refer victims in a timely manner to specialized institutions.
Patriarch Porfirije pointed to the importance of fostering a culture of respect, care, and solidarity, emphasizing that every form of violence is contrary to fundamental Christian values and to human dignity.
Patriarch Porfirije and Ms. Macura also discussed improving cooperation in providing support to particularly vulnerable groups, such as single mothers and families with many children who are in a difficult economic situation, through Religious Charitable Guardianship, which has the capacity and experience to provide effective assistance to these categories.
The meeting was attended by: His Grace Bishop of Toplica kyr Petar, Coordinator of Religious Charitable Guardianship; Deacon Nikola Kostić, Secretary of the Office of the Serbian Patriarch; Mr. Nemanja Radojević, Special Advisor to the Minister; Mr. Miodrag Pantović, Chief of Staff to the Minister; Ms. Aleksandra Jovanović and Mr. Petar Stevanović, Advisors to the Minister.
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20.03.2026 13:24
