As part of the 40th anniversary of the International Day of Peace, established by the United Nations General Assembly, the European Centre for Peace and Cooperation Marija Zvijezda marked the anniversary of its founding on 21st of September.
In his welcome speech, as the founder of the House of Encounters and in it the European Centre for Peace and Interreligious Cooperation Marija Zvijezda and also in the capacity of co-chair of the Curator of the Centre, the Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Franjo Komarica reminded of the time that preceded the establishment of the Centre.
“16 years ago, we founded the European Academy of the Banja Luka Diocese in our city with the help of friends and benefactors from Germany. It was imagined as the embryo of the European Centre, which we planned to realize and build a little after that in Marija Zvijezda. Due to the constant – still current – lack of political will of the most responsible political officials in the country – domestic and foreign – to return to the Catholic Church at least part of the illegally usurped – not the far larger nationalized (!) – property of Marija Zvijezda, formal establishment of the European Centre for Peace and interethnic and international cooperation was realized only in 2020, marking the 195th anniversary of the birth of the founder Marija Zvijezda – the servant of God, Father Franjo (Franz) Pfanner. Even today, with this modest but significant program, we are celebrating the 1st anniversary of the Centre’s existence”, said Bishop Franjo, thanking everyone for the support this centre received, primarily the Government of the Republic of Croatia, Brod-Posavina County, the Catholic organization Renovabis and Pan-European Union.
Speaking about how the European Centre for Peace and Cooperation Marija Zvijezda is especially valuable because it connects the achievements of European culture in the past with the present and the European future, the Secretary General of the International Pan-European Union prof. Dr. Pavo Barišić pointed out: “The mission of the Centre is to gather European youth and other interested citizens for meetings, talks, lectures, visits to historical and cultural sites, practicing dialogue and understanding, establishing contacts and building bridges between people, nations, countries, religions, worldviews and cultures.”
The Vice President of the German Pan-European Union Andreas Raab, who has also been involved in the project from the very beginning, read a letter from former German President Christian Wulff, who is Vice President of this Centre’s Board of Trustees, stating: “Peace, dialogue and cooperation outside borders, whether they are political, ethnic or religious, are at the heart of the future work of the Marija Zvijezda European Centre. The European Centre strives to be present and alert to its activities. It also boasts growing support, both from Bosnia and Herzegovina and neighbouring countries, as well as Central and Western Europe. This day shows this in particular: Representatives from all parts of BiH, from German and international associations, as well as the Croatian Government are participating in this meeting.”
Numerous guests from the religious, political and social life of Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad were present at the ceremony in the settlement Trapisti in Banja Luka.
KT
www.nedjelja.ba
Banja Luka – September 21, 2021
