Irinej Bulović

IRINEJ ( Serbian Cyrillic Иринеј, civil Mirko Bulović, Мирко Буловић; born February 11, 1947 in Stanisic ) is a bishop of the Serbian Orthodox Eparchy of Bačka in Novi Sad, as well as a professor at the Theological Faculty of the University of Belgrade. Since 2011 he has also been used as the founding director of the newly established Diocese of Austria - Switzerland.

The editor of the theological journal " Beseda " (address ) is the leading intellectuals of the Serbian Orthodox Church. He is among other things a member of the Serbian Writers' Association, the Central Committee of the Conference of European Churches, and the Pan-Orthodox Commission for Dialogue with the Roman Catholic and the Protestant church.

Life

Study

Mirko Bulović graduating in 1969 at the Theological Faculty of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. His spiritual father Justin Popović gave him the spiritual name IRINEJ. Ordained a deacon, he lived for two years in the Montenegrin monastery Ostrog. 1970 was followed by doctoral studies at the Theological Faculty of the University of Athens, which he in 1980 with a doctoral thesis on " faith in Fascism " graduated. During his studies he attended the Institut de Théologie Orthodox Saint- Serge in Paris.

Bishop of Bačka

1989 appointed him Patriarch German to his vicar and a little later bishop of the Eparchy of Bačka. His office, he joined on 24 December 1990.

Dispute about ecumenical efforts

Bishop Irenej Bulović is considered strong advocate of ecumenism, already in the 1990s in which these in the conservative camp had particular an extremely difficult position. As Irenej 1996 organized for Christoph Schönborn, Cardinal of Vienna, a reception, he came under massive pressure. About 300 priests and monks wrote an urgent letter to the Holy Synod, this may take action against the ecumenical and bustle of the Bishop Irenej Bulović. In an accusing tone they expressed their concern to "lose their soul by being guided by such bishops. " Non-Orthodox, with whom Bishop Irenej and Bishop Lavrentije of Sabac - Valjevo had taken in the context of ecumenism, were pseudo- Christians, pagans and sectarians equated, and criticized the construction of the new theology Institute in Belgrade as a school of heresy.

Controversial role in the Kosovo peace process

Successor of Patriarch Pavle

After the death of Patriarch Pavle was Bishop Irenej Bulović as a promising candidate for the succession to the highest office of the Serbian Orthodox Church. However, be carried out after the apostolic election process election on 22 January 2010 won the bishop of the same IRINEJ of Niš itself and tags it as the new Patriarch was enthroned.

Structure of the Diocese of Austria - Switzerland

2011 IRINEJ Bulović was appointed founding director of the newly established Diocese of Austria - Switzerland. He takes there also performs the duties of a provisional bishop.