Where God Weeps - the suffering church in focus
Countries » Bosnia-Herzegovina
The situation of the church in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Even though religious freedom is enshrined in the 1995 constitution (Article 2), there are alarming cases of discrimination and violence. Muslims, Catholics and Orthodox Serbs have all reported many cases of aggression and religious intolerance. Religious practice is relatively low but there are some areas where religion is taken very seriously. Examples of this include the Croatian Catholic communities in Bosnia, where they are a minority. They find themselves in a difficult position, fighting for survival in an environment which is becoming increasingly Islamic.
During 2007, attacks on religious buildings, symbols, and ministers rose. The Catholic Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Protestant and the Muslim communities were all victim to aggression and vandalism. The judiciary continue to be unhelpful, and police rarely arrest those responsible for vandalism against religious buildings or for attacks on ministers.
Current legislation states that, with the support of at least 300 faithful, Christian leaders can apply to build a new church by writing to the Ministry of Justice. A decision is required within 30 days and appeals against the ruling can be made to the Council of Ministers.
Parents have the right to enrol their children in private schools for religious reasons. Many towns and cities have faith-based schools - Muslim, Catholic and Serbian Orthodox. Church-funded Catholic schools, under diocesan control, work towards religious and social reconciliation.
For some time, the four largest religious communities have requested the return of buildings confiscated by the communist regime. Failing that, they have asked for compensation. The State Commission for Restitution is drafting a national law on this issue. Until then such issues are decided at a local level.
To tackle areas of conflict or disagreement, the leaders of the main religions continue to meet at the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Catholic and Orthodox churches meet regularly to discuss common issues and ideas, which many hope will lead towards greater cooperation. During a week of ecumenical dialogue in April 2007, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Vrhbosna, presided at a religious service in the Orthodox cathedral of Sarajevo. Elsewhere in the city, Metropolitan Nikolai, Bishop of Dabar Bosna and leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church of Bosnia and Herzegovina, held a service in the Catholic cathedral.
How you can help
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) supports several projects in Bosnia-Herzegovina. You can support these projects by donating via their national offices.
Below you can find one or more finished projects ACN supported in the past.
-
From 1992 to 1995, following the break-up of Yugoslavia, war raged in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some 243,000 people lost their lives, while around two million were made refugees as a result of the war and the redrawing of the map of the republic. Among them were many priests and religious. Read more >>
-
The diocese of Banja Luka in northwest Bosnia still suffers today from the consequences of the Balkan war in the 1990s. Some 98% of the churches and convents in the diocese were damaged or destroyed. The bishop of the diocese, Bishop Franjo Komarica, reports that in many parts of the country there were scarcely any Catholics left, almost all of them having fled or been expelled. Read more >>
Statistics
Population: 4.00 Million
Christian Population: 1.80 Million
Religious statistics:
Christian 46%
Muslim 40%
Other 14%
Breaking News from Bosnia-Herzegovina
- 19/01/2012: Bosnia-Herzegovina: Archbishop of Sarajevo demands equal treatment for Catholics
- 28/09/2011: Martyred nuns beatified in Bosnia
Schools of Europe
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Reconciliation Through Education (audio)
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Reconciliation Through Education (Short Film)
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Reconciliation Through Education