Happened in Skopje / He blessed police vehicles on the premises of the ministry, investigations begin into the priest

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of North Macedonia announced that authorities have launched an investigation into a priest who conducted a religious ceremony involving official police vehicles, blessing the cars within the premises of the Ministry.

“Regarding the photographs that have been published and about which you are inquiring, the Ministry of Internal Affairs informs you that the Department for Internal Control, Criminal Investigations and Professional Standards is undertaking appropriate measures and activities to fully determine the circumstances, after which the public will be duly informed,” the Ministry’s statement said.

According to local media, the photographs, which have circulated on social networks in recent days, have sparked numerous reactions among the public. They show a priest performing a religious ceremony and sanctifying official police vehicles in the courtyard of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, in the presence of police officers.

Some citizens have justified the act, emphasizing that in the Orthodox tradition there is a prayer for the blessing of vehicles and that it is a symbolic act aimed at protection and safety. However, another segment of the public has reacted strongly, arguing that such a practice contradicts the constitutional principle of secularism and that state institutions should remain religiously neutral.

The debate has reopened the issue of the boundary between religious customs and the functioning of secular state institutions, as well as the need for clear rules and accountability in the public sphere. Similar reactions occurred a year ago, when a religious ceremony was held on the premises of Parliament.

“KORÇA BOOM”