Alexander Khloponin, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasus Federal District, has met Orthodox clerical leaders at his residence, Yuga.ru reports.
Khloponin underlined the role of clerics in educating the youth and preserving peace in the North Caucasus, as a counter-measure against religious radicalism. He also noted that the church must pay special attention to areas where Orthodox Christians are a minority. A church is being built at the Naursky District by Muslims and funded by the Ahmat Kadyrov Fund. Cossacks are hardly taking part in the construction process, which is wrong, Khloponin says.
Archbishop of the Vladikavkaz and Makhachkala Eparchy, Zosima, says that Caucasus Muslims and Orthodox Christians need to learn to understand each other and their religions.
Orthodox bishops of the North Caucasus spoke out against school subjects teaching religion because it often turns into preaching, Bishop of Pyatigorsk and Cherkessk, Feofilakt, said. The society must be secular, as stated in the Constitution, Zosima says.
Authorities of the Russian Orthodox Church believe that there is need for more active cooperation with Muslims. Bishop of Stavropol and Nevinnomyssk, Kirill, said that this summer they held the fourth Orthodox-Muslims youth camp in the Stavropol Territory.
The sides approved regular meeting with Khloponin, making them joint with Islamic clerical leaders of the North Caucasus when necessary.
