BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA: DEFENDING THE INALIENABLE RIGHTS OF ALL

VATICAN CITY, JAN 15, 1999 (VIS) - John Paul II this morning addressed the bishops from the Episcopal Conference of Bosnia-Herzegovina, who have just completed their "ad limina" visit.

At the beginning of his speech, the Pope expressed his admiration "for the spiritual strength with which your ecclesial communities have been able to face up to great trials and sacrifices during the recent conflict, as well as during this difficult post-war period, so as to remain faithful to Christ and the mission which He has entrusted to his disciples down through time."

"I pray to the Lord that the vital zeal which characterized the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina during the centuries does not lessen but rather grow stronger. ... There can be no doubt that the unity in apostolic goals and the close collaboration of all, priests, consecrated men and women and lay people, under the watchful guidance of bishops, will obtain abundant fruit of faith, charity and holiness."

The Holy Father said he hoped they could find "peaceful and satisfactory solutions to problems pertaining to the organization of apostolic activities." Thus, he indicated that it is necessary to unite the "courageous action of the lay faithful" to the "unreplaceable ministry of priests and the prophetic ministry of consecrated people."

Having recalled that the principal task which the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina must face is "the organization of the life of dioceses and parishes," he also said that "it is necessary to continue helping local populations to rebuild what was destroyed during the war, and offer them the hope of a prosperous future of peace."

"Continue to defend the inalienable rights of all persons and peoples as you have done from the beginning of the bloody conflict which has sown hate and mistrust (and has caused) deaths and refugees, distancing populations from regions where they had been living for centuries."

The Pope expressed his joy at the "many signs of consolidating peace." He also referred to the "shadows which are a reason for concern" such as "the lack of solutions regarding the thorny problem of the return of refugees, as well as the unequal treatment of the three populations which make up Bosnia-Herzegovina, especially in the full respect of religious and cultural identities."

"May all peoples of your Fatherland," he continued, "see their own dignity promoted as well as their legitimate aspirations for equality and development."

John Paul II ended his speech by encouraging the bishops to continue "in trust, the commitment to ecumenism with Orthodox brothers and sisters, and dialogue with the Jewish and Islamic communities. ... Be untiring messengers of forgiveness and reconciliation."

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