Cardinal Vinko Puljić, archbishop of Vrhbosna in peace, on the occasion of the Easter holiday in an interview for Bosnia and Herzegovina. edition of the Večernji List called believers to conversion and prayer, emphasizing the need for responsibility, human dignity and cooperation.
“Christ’s resurrection is the foundation of our faith. In order to experience something, it is necessary to prepare for it. That is why Lent is a time of conversion, penance and forgiveness for us so that Christ may rise in our hearts and live the mystery of the living Christ among us and in us. Christ’s resurrection gives hope to our life, establishes confidence in all trials. Christ defeated evil and death and we hope to experience the final victory in him and through him,” said the cardinal Puljic.
Speaking about the secularization of society, he asserted that “the problem is not the young but the elderly who do not witness authentic Christianity”:
Young people have experienced this division of spirit in the elders, that they speak one thing and live another. When they experience a credible testimony from which comes a true word of conviction, young people are ready to fight this secularization. This is especially visible when they meet a particular religious teacher and preacher worthy of their trust. Then you don’t need to persuade them and they gather with enthusiasm. Young people are “hungry” for witnesses of faith and hope. This is where parents and we in our spiritual vocations have to reconsider.
Criticizing current trends in society, such as the increase in violence and consumerism, Puljić accused politicians and mass media of collapsing family values.
“Earnings and consumption cannot be more important than man and his dignity. Where one does not live out of love and is not raised in love, hatred, aggression and violence are often born. In such a state of society, a person often feels lost. It is not uncommon for a believer, coming to church on these holy days and thinking about the mysteries of Jesus’ death and resurrection, to ask: where am I, where am I rushing? Jesus’ words are: “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
They also referred to the current situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, stressing that it is important to stand as firmly as possible against incitement and expansion.
”If there is humanity, then the agreement is the one that “builds the house”. There is an old proverb that an ox is tied by its horns, and a man is tied to a given word. Unfortunately, people are often not credible in their speech and governance. There is less and less responsibility in work and speech at all levels. Morality and ethics have largely been “driven out” from public and private life. There is no recipe for a solution, but it is necessary to put the human being at the center, his dignity and rights, not benefit and domination over others.
When asked how the distancing of the USA from our region will affect the internal situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the cardinal answered that, in his opinion, it does not have to be a big problem.
“I do not consider it very negative that America is withdrawing in its actions because it was biased in terms of support and investment. Europe is divided, as is BiH, so it can hardly help without clear attitudes and principles regarding the arrangement of “its backyard”. countries with which Western European, rich countries fill their needs. And we expect too much from others instead of turning to cooperation with each other for the common good and that every person and nation feels at home in this beautiful country of ours that the good God has gifted us in his divine providence”, said Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Archbishop of Vrhbosnia in peace.
