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The Orthodox Church considers it unacceptable the usage of the ecclesiastical premises for political purposes, stressing that this act constitutes an insult to the community and institutional religious feelings.
The reaction of the Orthodox Church:
In recent days, in two cases, in the pre-election campaign, there has been an unacceptable usage of the ecclesiastical premises for political purposes. In the Kurjan of Roskovec, in the Metropolis of Fier, a candidate presentation was made in the premises of the monumental church of St. Nicholas and in the village of Lekël, Tepelenë; in the Metropolis of Gjirokastra was also a political pre-election meeting in the premises of the Church of Prophet Ilia, in both cases, without the knowledge of the church authorities.
The use of Church premises for political activities in election campaigns constitutes an insult to the community and institutional religious feelings. Each Orthodox Church, as the cult object of the Orthodox community, is a holy place of worship and prayer and cannot be used in any case for political purposes.
These actions contradict the "Agreement between the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Albania and the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania" (Law No. 10 057, dated 22.01.2009). Therefore, we demand that these actions should not be repeated and that must be shown respect to the sacred places imposed by law and religious coexistence.