The Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BK BiH) held its 79th regular session on November 4th and 5th in the premises of the Archbishop’s Residence in Sarajevo, and was attended by all its members.
It was presided over by the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, cardinal Vinko Puljić – the president of BK BiH and was attended by: the Archbishop Coadjutor of Vrhbosna and the Apostolic Administrator of the Military Ordinariate in BiH, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić; Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica; Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and Apostolic Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan Msgr. Petar Palić; and the Auxiliary Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Marko Semren.
Restrictions during the pandemic were the reason for the absence of delegates from Croatia, Austria and the International Bishops’ Conference of St. Cyril and Methodius.
In the first part of the session, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Msgr. Luigi Pezzuto addressed the Bishops.
During the session, the bishops, referring to the Year of the Word of God that began on September 30th with Eucharistic celebrations in Bosansko Grahovo and Skopaljska Gračanica, invited members of their diocesan communities to, among other things, enjoy reading the Bible and think about it in person, within families and within parish communities.
They also considered some important documents addressed to the BK BiH, including the Letter on Liturgical Celebrations during and after COVID 19 sent by the Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Robert Sarah, entitled Let’s Return Joyfully to the Eucharist!
Furthermore, they sent their comments to the public on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the signing of The General Framework Agreement for Peace in BiH, known as the Dayton Agreement. They remember with heavy heart the messages that BK BiH sent to the signatories of the agreement or to international and domestic authorities all these years, during which the legalization of many injustices that have their roots in the agreement took part, but also in many of its later amendments, mostly to the damage of the weaker and less numerous.
After the adoption of the Rule book and other provisions, and the appointment of the head and his deputy, the bishops once again considered some practical issues related to the upcoming Deacon Pastoral Year, which will be attended by future priests from all dioceses and Franciscan provinces in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Reflecting on pastoral care in the context of the corona virus pandemic, the bishops thank the priests, monks, nuns, catechists, religious teachers, volunteers and other staff who care for their faithful with even more love at this time.
They are encouraged to adhere to the measures adopted by the relevant authorities at the time of the corona virus, but also to always be close to the faithful who, like all the inhabitants not only of this country but of the whole world, suffer the consequences of a pandemic. They also call, especially in this time of diminished pastoral activity, to dedicate more time to study the documents of the Holy Father and the Holy See and to help their faithful take a sober evangelical stance without spreading panic but also by preserving their neighbours and themselves.
Aware of the importance of the Holy Mass celebrations and gatherings of parish and other communities especially on Sundays, the bishops also remind us of the importance of family prayer.
Furthermore, the bishops expressed their gratitude to the responsible persons in the hospitals who are finding a way to enable priests to visit the seriously ill while respecting all the necessary epidemiological measures.
The following dates for the session of the Bishop’s Conference of BiH during 2021. have been agreed: March 18th and 19th in Mostar, which will end with an evening Holy Mass on the feast of St. Joseph on March 19th in the Cathedral of Mary Mother of the Church; July 13th and 14th in Banja Luka, which will end on July 15th with a Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral of St. Bonaventura, and November 4th and 5th in Sarajevo, which will begin on November 3rd with a common Eucharist celebration in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
On November 3rd, the bishops celebrated Holy Mass in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was led by Cardinal Puljić, and preached by Msgr. Komarica. On Wednesday, November 4th, the bishops celebrated the Eucharist in the chapel of the Vrhbosna Theological Seminary and met with the theological community. It was led by the Cardinal, and the appropriate sermon was delivered by Bishop Semren.
KT
www.nedjelja.ba
Sarajevo – November 6, 2020
