Archbishop Gallagher visits Bosnia-Herzegovina: ‘May religious leaders be custodians of peace’
The Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States visited Bosnia and Herzegovina from 17 to 20 March, travelling from Sarajevo to Medjugorje, meeting with political leaders, representatives of the local Church, and religious leaders.
by Vatican News
Excerpt
Ecumenical and interreligious dialogue
On Saturday, 19 March, the Secretary for Relations with States held a meeting at the Nunciature with representatives of the Christian churches and other religious denominations.
Quoting Pope Francis, Archbishop Gallagher recalled that religious leaders are the first custodians of peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He expressed hope that dialogue between religious communities in the country will help rebuild and maintain the existing bridges, the only structures capable of keeping us alive, guaranteeing a future, and not discouraging us from the difficulties that can occasionally arise.
In response, the participants expressed their interest in travelling to Rome to visit the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity.
Afterwards, Archbishop Gallagher visited the Temporary Reception Center in Ušivak, meeting with some of the refugees. On his way to Mostar in the afternoon, he met with Mayor Mario Kordić at the bishop’s residence and then with the bishops of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who presented the pastoral work of the local Church, ecumenical and interreligious commitments, as well as challenges they are facing such as the emigration of Catholics.
The Bishops also expressed their strong support for European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
