The persecution of PBF professors continues the attacks on the autonomy of UB

The Network of Academic Solidarity and Engagement (MASA) strongly condemns the ban on teaching duties issued by prof. Dr. Rodoljub Kubat and announcing his dismissal, as well as other acts that call into question the freedom of action, opinion and speech of teachers and associates of this faculty. Also, we call for the work of this faculty to be brought into line with the legal framework as soon as possible, as well as the norms of civilization that, as a society, we hope, we all share.

On the occasion of the latest news that the dean of the Faculty of Orthodox Theology at the University of Belgrade, prof. Zoran Ranković, Ph.D., issued a decision banning full-time professor Rodoljub Kubat, Ph.D. from performing the duties of a teacher in academic studies, and announcing that he will soon be handed his resignation. of education, science and technological development to react as quickly as possible and prevent the persecution of Prof. Kubat, but also other teachers and associates of this faculty.
This is the last in a series of events that violates the law-guaranteed autonomy of the University of Belgrade, of which this Faculty is a member, at the Orthodox Theological Faculty (PBF) of the University of Belgrade. By previous acts of the faculty administration and the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church, teachers of this faculty are prohibited from any form of public speaking. For some, progress in the profession is conditioned by showing obedience to the church authorities, others are prohibited from participating in classes, while the previous dean, Bishop prof. Dr. Ignatije Midić was forced to resign because the Synod demanded his dismissal.
It is undeniable that PBF has a naturally close relationship with the Serbian Orthodox Church since members and members of the high hierarchy teach and study at this academic institution. It is disputed, however, that this relationship is not regulated in a manner that is legally valid and in accordance with higher legal acts - the Statute of the University of Belgrade and the Law on Higher Education. This fact was noted by the Committee for Statutory Issues of the University of Belgrade in December 2019, assessing that they are members of the PBF Statute, which foresee the possibility of influence of the Synod and church authorities in the work of the Faculty in violation of the Law and the University Statute.
Referring to disputed articles of the PBF Statute, however, still allows the members of the Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the PBF administration to make arbitrary, unfounded and unquestionable decisions about the fate of the teachers of this institution. This not only endangers the principle of university autonomy, but also the civilizational achievements of freedom of thought, speech and academic research. In the end, in this way the existence of the mentioned teachers is threatened, an atmosphere of fear and submission is encouraged, which is fundamentally alien to free societies, the academic community, and we believe the Orthodox Church itself.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.