Drawing from historical insights to forge lasting relationships for the future
The diplomatic relationships of any nation with the Holy See draw significant public attention, and a country’s impact in Europe, as well as on the global stage over the last hundred years, depends heavily on those affiliations. Montenegro is notable for being the first largely Orthodox country to establish the Concordat with the Holy See in 1886, making it the first South Slavic and Balkan nation. This signified a pivotal moment in diplomatic relations with the Vatican, set in motion after the end of the Montenegrin-Ottoman War, commonly known as the Great War. This conflict saw our nation achieve victory, bolstering its stature and reputation internationally. The culmination of Montenegro’s military successes was marked by its acknowledgment of independence and significant territorial expansions at the Congress of Berlin, which took place from June 13 to July 13, 1878.
The signing of the Concordat represents a significant moment, transcending mere religious implications to encompass historical, diplomatic, and cultural dimensions. This signifies Montenegro’s integration into the wider framework of European and global society. At the same time, while the Holy See worked to establish and strengthen ties with the small Balkan nation, the protection of Catholic life for the sake of freedom, survival, and development in Montenegro was also being maintained. Montenegrin historians place significant emphasis on the contributions of Nikola I Petrović, who spearheaded efforts to restore and re-establish the archdiocese within Montenegro, effectively uniting all Catholics in Montenegro under its authority. Historical records reveal that the Archdiocese of Bar was merged with the Archdiocese of Shkodër in 1867, a decision made by the Holy See, placing the Catholic faithful from those regions under the protection of Austro-Hungary. Consequently, it became essential to detach the Archdiocese of Bar from Shkodër and restore its status as an independent archdiocese. In 1879, Prince Nikola I leveraged his amicable ties with Bishop Strossmayer (Josip Juraj) to commence discussions with the Holy See aimed at finalizing the Concordat. This Treaty marked a significant milestone, as it comprehensively delineated the position of the Catholic Church in our nation for the first time. The lengthy negotiations spanned eight years, ultimately reaching their conclusion in 1886 with the signing of the Concordat with the Holy See. It is crucial to highlight that, following the Congress of Berlin, there existed approximately 5 to 6 thousand Catholics living in Montenegro, predominantly of Albanian descent.
The signing of the Concordat by both parties held substantial political ramifications, alongside its religious dimensions. In a predominantly Orthodox Montenegro, the agreement with the Vatican conferred significant political prestige within Western Europe, secured peace along the borders with Austria and the Ottoman Empire, and instilled in Prince Nikola the aspiration to extend his influence into the regions of Metohija. The Catholic Church views the Treaty not only as a safeguard for Catholics in a predominantly Orthodox nation but also as a blueprint for potential future implementations in analogues situations. Markedly, J.J. Strossmayer posited that the Convention might significantly contribute to the advancement of Slavic unity in the Balkans. The envoy of Prince Nikola I, diplomat Jovan Sundečić, expressed great enthusiasm for the idea. In the aftermath of the Congress of Berlin and the acknowledgment of Montenegrin independence, it is noteworthy that Cetinje emerged as a small hub for European affairs. Eleven missions were established there, yet it is noteworthy that the Vatican lacked its own mission due to the absence of diplomatic status. The signing of the Concordat with the Vatican signified that a small Balkan state committed to upholding the rights of its minority religious community and demonstrated its readiness to engage in foreign policy on par with the most advanced nations in Europe at that time. In “Diplomatic Legations in the Kingdom and Principality of Montenegro,” authors Stanko Roganović and Marko Špadijer highlight that in 1901, a Catholic church along with a priest’s residence, which functioned as the unofficial summer residence of the archbishop of Bar, were built in Cetinje. Financial support for this project came from notable figures including Leo XIII, J.J. Strossmayer, the Italian Queen Elena of Montenegro, and Prince Nikola I Petrović. Following the signing of the Concordat between the Holy See and Montenegro, intense debates erupted between Austria-Hungary and the Vatican. In the concluding 14th article of the Treaty, Montenegro was granted authority to print the Missal in Cyrillic, a move that faced criticism from Austria-Hungary and numerous officials within the Holy See. Nonetheless, the Missal was never produced in Cyrillic. Pope Leo XIII, seeking to ease tensions, granted approval for the Missal to be printed in Glagolitic script, with the Prince’s consent. Of the 30 printed Missals, 12 made their way to Montenegro, with one being personally dispatched to Prince Nikola I Petrović-Njegoš. The event marked a significant historical transformation and a period of political vitality for Montenegro. The international recognition garnered at the Congress of Berlin, along with the establishment of diplomatic relations with the developed world, highlighted the significance of the connections formed with the Vatican. These relations not only underscored the religious freedoms attained in Montenegro but also illustrated its democratic standards in Europe during that period.
The unification of the Slavic peoples and the establishment of a community comprising Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, a vision championed by Strossmayer, signified for Montenegro a forfeiture of independence and, as a result, rendered the Concordat increasingly irrelevant. The establishment of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes marked the formation of a new, arguably ineffective organization encompassing all religious communities. The Montenegrin Church integrated into the revitalized Serbian Orthodox Church, while the Archdiocese of Bar, representing Montenegrin Catholics, joined the Bishops’ Conference, a distinctive body for the Roman Catholic Church within the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The Islamic Community of Montenegro faced a comparable outcome, as it was incorporated into the Islamic Community of Serbia and came under the jurisdiction of the Mufti in Belgrade.
Following the restoration of independence and sovereignty in the 2006 referendum, Montenegro resumed discussions with the Holy See, culminating in the signing of the Fundamental Agreement on June 24, 2011. The treaty came into effect on June 21, 2012, following its ratification, and was crafted in accordance with contemporary democratic standards. This document served as the cornerstone for the coexistence and organization of a modern civil Montenegro, characterized by its multi-ethnic, multinational, and multi-religious fabric. This document is fundamentally rooted in the principles established by the Convention of 1886, which underpins the diplomatic collaboration between Montenegro and the Vatican.