The 92nd session of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has concluded in Mostar. The bishops addressed many topics, and the president of the Bishops’ Conference of BiH, Mons. Tomo Vuksic, emphasized that, in the times we are living in, peace in BiH has no morally acceptable alternative. He called on those responsible to engage in dialogue.
Mons. Vuksic stated that we all have our roles and responsibilities.
“We, as bishops, are witnesses of the Gospel, preachers of the need for dialogue and agreement, and we will certainly not tire in this mission. As Catholics, we believe that the lowest acceptable threshold for any human society is peace. Anything below that threshold is absolutely unacceptable,” emphasized Mons. Vuksic.
He said that peace is a value that has no moral alternative.
“Conversation, dialogue, patience, and prudence are key to overcoming the crisis. Agreements and negotiations are necessary (…) We expect those responsible for resolving social and political issues to be patient and prudent and to address all open questions solely through dialogue,” said the Archbishop Metropolitan of Vrhbosna.
He added that interreligious dialogue can contribute to peace and stability.
“We are and will remain open, we seek cooperation. Dialogue always requires at least two parties,” stated Vuksic.
The archbishop touched on the topic of demography, praising measures that support life and young families.
“Although the Church does not interfere in secular affairs, it is the duty of church figures to cooperate with everyone in what is good and positive. When we say that people from social spheres have their responsibilities and church figures have theirs, that does not mean we are two different worlds. People’s needs are the meeting point, and new life is the meeting point. Whoever promotes life is, in advance, destined to be a collaborator of the Church,” said Vuksic, expressing support for all measures that positively affect the demographic outlook of society.
“I express joy and would like to commend such measures. People and young families who receive such support are very grateful. We would be pleased if this support for family life spread not only in BiH but throughout all of Europe, which suffers from the problem of ‘white plague,'” emphasized Mons. Vuksic.
Mons. Petar Palic, Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan, focused on two topics, or rather two events, which he considers of exceptional importance for the Catholic Church in BiH, both taking place in Tomislavgrad.
“The first is the annual gathering of all priests and bishops who serve in BiH or are originally from BiH. It will be held on June 4th. On one hand, it is their way of meeting and getting to know one another, and it takes place every three years. During this gathering, we will address topics important for the life and mission of priests in the world,” explained Mons. Palic.
The second significant anniversary is the celebration of 1.100 years since the church councils in Split and the coronation of the first Croatian king, Tomislav.
“This anniversary is important for the entire body of the Croatian people. It will be marked, in a joint organization of Bishops’ Conference of BiH and Bishops’ Conference of Croatia, with a Eucharistic celebration on July 5th. A series of events will precede it, and this event will be the pinnacle of the anniversary’s commemoration,” concluded Bishop Palic.
