The 91st Regular Session of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Hercegovina has Begun

The Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Hercegovina commenced its 91^st regular session on the morning of November 4^th, 2024, at the premises of the Archbishop’s Residence in Sarajevo, chaired by Archbishop Tomo Vukšić, the metropolitan archbishop of Vrhbosna and apostolic administrator of the Military Ordinariate in Bosnia and Hercegovina.

The session began with a greeting from Archbishop Vukšić to the members of the Bishops’ Conference, including Vice President Bishop Petar Palić of Mostar-Duvno, who is also the apostolic administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan and Bishop Željko Majić of Banja Luka, to whom he expressed condolences over the sudden death of Father Vlado Lukenda from the Diocese of Banja Luka. He noted that in the second part of the session, they would be joined by Apostolic Visitor for the parish of Međugorje, Monsignor Aldo Cavalli and Vinko Puljić, retired archbishop of Vrhbosna, to whom he also extended greetings to. He welcomed Apostolic Nuncio in Bosnia and Hercegovina, Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, retired Bishop Klaus Küng from St. Pölten, and delegates from the Croatian and Austrian Bishops’ Conferences, as well as Monsignor Rrok Gjonlleshaj, Archbishop of Bar and delegate of the International Bishops’ Conference of Saint Cyril and Methodius, thanking them for their attendance and participation.

Reflecting on the agenda, Archbishop Vukšić mentioned that they would first analyse the implementation of the conclusions from the 90^th regular session held in Banja Luka in July and discuss preparations for commemorating the jubilee year 2025 at the local level. They would also hear reports, including one from their delegate at the 16^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, and consider other issues important for the life and mission of diocesan communities in Bosnia and Hercegovina. He reported that the bishops would agree on dates for upcoming significant pastoral events, such as the celebration of the 1100^th anniversary of the Split Church Councils and the sixth gathering of priests from Bosnia and Hercegovina, scheduled for June next year in Tomislavgrad.

On behalf of all the bishops, he once again expressed condolences to those who lost family members and friends due to recent natural disasters and extended solidarity to those who suffered material damages. He also thanked the many good people and institutions, both domestic and foreign, public and private, who have helped and continue to help the affected regions and people. “Among them, of course, I primarily think of all the church charity workers who were among the first to provide aid and who continue to do everything possible” Archbishop Tomo stated. He praised the adoption of the law on non-working Sundays in the Federation of Bosnia and Hercegovina, emphasizing that it is about “protecting the dignity of workers, the fundamental human right to rest, and the rights of families.” He expressed concern about the increasing cases of violence against women in society. “We are also worried about the occurrences of peer violence in schools and other places, as well as occasional acts of terrorism. Therefore, we call on those responsible to do everything possible to protect the dignity and safety of all people and to enable a peaceful life and education,” said the Pastor of the Vrhbosna Church, concluding with the words: “As Christian believers, we are pilgrims of hope, sent to bring Christian joy and optimism to where we live, and against all challenges and dangers, to build harmony and peace among people and nations, inviting others to do the same. The entire jubilee year of 2025, celebrating the birth of Jesus, will be dedicated to this theme under the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope,

Reminding us once again that our mission in the world is to be witnesses of Jesus Christ, who is our hope (1 Timothy 1:1)”

Bishop Glasnović warmly welcomed everyone on behalf of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, led by President Monsignor Dražen Kutleša. He briefly reported on significant events in the Croatian Bishops’ Conference in recent times and reminded that on July 10 2024, the Commission of the HBK for Justice and Peace issued a statement titled “The Unacceptability of Gender Ideology and Gender Theories in Protecting Human Dignity,” addressing the introduction of Gender Studies at the Faculty of Philosophy of the University of Zagreb. He mentioned that on Saturday, September 14^th, the Day of Croatian Martyrs was celebrated with a solemn Eucharistic celebration led by Bishop Ivan Štironja of Poreč and Pula at the Church of Croatian Martyrs in Udbina. He reported that the Nine Gathering of Catholics from Croatia and Slovenia took place on Saturday, 28^th September in Svetvincenat, and that on the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, October 7^th, the Apostolic Nunciature in Croatia announced that Pope Francis appointed Monsignor Marko Medo as the Bishop of Gospić-Senj, whose episcopal ordination will take place on Saturday 14^th of December 2024, in Gospić. He informed that after learning about the extent of human and material damages caused by devastating floods in central Bosnia, the HBK immediately provided assistance through the Croatian Caritas with €100,000 from the Emergency Fund, and that Croatian Caritas launched a humanitarian aid campaign on October 4^th, which received a significant response and involvement, resulting in a total of €330,000 in financial aid collected and sent through Croatian Caritas. He also mentioned that on October 1^st, the National Office for Catholic Schools organized the autumn meeting of directions of Catholic schools in Croatia, and that Apostolic Nuncio in Croatia, Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, during the Mass on October 26^th in the Cathedral of St. Domnius in Split, placed the metropolitan pallium on the shoulders of the Archbishop and Metropolitan Zdenko Križić.

Bishop Gjonlleshaj conveyed greetings from all members of the International Bishops’ Conference of Saints Cyril and Methodius from Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, informing that in the past year, the MBK focused on strengthening ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, aiming to build mutual understanding and contribution to peace and stability in the region, as well as on pastoral care and formation of youth, and protecting and supporting families facing economic difficulties, migration, and challenges of contemporary society. Noting the continuing trend of emigration, especially among youth, he highlighted the responsibility to ensure necessary pastoral care for those who remain and to provide support to emigrated communities in the diaspora. Speaking about secularization and declining interest in faith among young people, as well as social issues such as unemployment, he stated that the bishops continue to support projects that provide social assistance and help develop local communities. He announced that in 2025, they plan to continue programs initiated in the previous period, expanding the initiatives taken. He emphasized that the circumstances in the countries covered by the MBK of Saints Cyril and Methodius have a significant impact on Catholic communities, particularly on interreligious relations, economic stability and social cohesion. In this context, he presented an overview of the current situation, stressing that the Catholic community, although often small in these areas, “plays an important role in promoting dialogue among ethnic groups and strengthening social cohesion.” He added that instability and social challenges in these countries require “a strong response from all religious communities, including the Catholic Church.” He recalled numerous organized events such as the Synodal Journey, the 100^th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Belgrade, the 325^th anniversary in Syrmia and episcopal ordinations, including the ordination of the new Bishop of Kotor, Monsignor Mladen Vukšić, which will take place on November 23^rd of this year.

Bishop Küng conveyed greetings and expressions of solidarity from the bishops of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference and briefly reported on projects and the life of the Church in Austria.