Nov

17

Catholics in Bosnia Still Struggling

November 17, 2006 |

Franciscan Sounds a Warning

ROME, NOV. 17, 2006 - Hopes for an end to the exodus of Catholics from Bosnia-Herzegovina have been dashed after the collapse of talks to amend the country’s postwar constitution, says a Franciscan priest.

“Nothing has changed for the better for the Church,” contended Father Mijo Dzolan, provincial of the Franciscans of Bosnia-Herzegovina. “Catholics are still discriminated against by the Dayton accord,” the Balkans peace agreement reached in 1995.

The priest shared his views during a recent visit to the charity Aid to the Church in Need.

Talks earlier this year aimed at bringing respite to Catholics by altering the Bosnian Constitution had failed to bring about any solution, said Father Dzolan.

“At the political level there is still division — some are pressing for the first steps of change, while others don’t see it as essential,” he said.

The Franciscan added that until the constitution was changed, it was difficult to see an end to the crisis which had driven more than half of Bosnia’s Catholics out of the country since the start of the Balkans war.

“We need to adjust the constitution to make people feel they can live safely and prosperously in Bosnia-Herzegovina,” he explained, adding that Catholics continued to seek refuge abroad, especially in Croatia, the United States and Australia.

“Catholics do not have a good political or cultural frame to live in. They feel helpless. They have no confidence that there will be any improvement,” Father Dzolan said.

He observed that Catholics’ despair is a far cry from their enthusiasm in the wake of the Dayton accord.

“There has been no change in 10 years,” the priest said. “People have lost that dynamism. They are tired; they have lost all confidence. The most sensitive issue for the Church is how to help our sisters and brothers live in hope.”

Courtesy of Zenit.org


Comments

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind