Public release to the media by the Catholic bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF THE POPE’S VISIT IS ANOTHER PAINFUL EVENT IN A SERIES OF SO MANY

During the period of their pilgrimage “ad limina Apostolorum” in January 1993, the Catholic bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina forwarded Pope John Paul II an invitation to visit Sarajevo, the centre of the Bosnia-Herzegovina Metropoly and one of the city-symbols of the war horror which raged in this country. In March 1994, the Holy See invited the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr Vinko Puljic to the Vatican in order to discuss in detail the possibility of the Pope actually visiting Sarajevo. If his health had served him better the Pope would have conducted a pastoral pilgrimage last June. In the meantime, the Holy See advised the Archbishop that the Pope’s pilgrimage was being postponed for better times. At the beginning of August, a special delegation of the Holy See came to Sarajevo to investigate the actual conditions regarding a possible pilgrimage by the Pope which was later confirmed would take place on 8 September, the Feast of the Birth of the Virgin Mary. In the latter half of August a schedule for the Pope’s one day visit to Sarajevo was sent from the Vatican. The Papal Nuncio to B-H, Archbishop Francesco Monterisi came to Sarajevo at the beginning of September to be involved in the direct organisation regarding the Pope’s trip. Even though news from the Vatican indicated that the Pope had stated his “heart was in Sarajevo”, while his visit “was in God’s hands”, an official announcement was left until a sure decision was made, while preparations in Sarajevo intensively continued. Hope in the Pope’s visit grew day by day especially amongst the Catholics of this city and country. The people, however, were already so full of disappointments with all the failed cease-fire agreements, political plans and accords to stop the war and establish a just and lasting peace. The suffragan bishops, Msgr Franjo Komarica from Banja Luka and Msgr Ratko Peric from Mostar, came to Sarajevo on 6 September, by invitation from the Archbishop. The same day at 17:00 hours, the State Secretary in the Holy See advised the Papal Nuncio that the Holy Father’s visit was being postponed for the time being but not cancelled.

The public was advised of this decision at 19:00 hours.

The time of preparation for the Pope’s pilgrimage even though it was short and in war circumstances showed all people of good will and all those interested in just peace, just how much our Holy Father wished to visit Sarajevo. Based on evaluations by the Holy See it was thought that since security could not be guaranteed by the UN forces this might lead to the bloodshed of innocent people and for the second time the Pope’s visit was postponed for a city of dying hopes in ever securing peace. The impossibility of the Pope’s pilgrimage turned the world’s attention to the entire tragedy of this city and B-H as a whole, a tragedy which is being watched with unbelievable indifference towards the suffering of innocent people and towards guarantees to maintain a man’s dignity. The impossibility of this pilgrimage is just one more plea and call to the conscience of mankind, especially of those who started and are continuing this war as well as all those responsible for peace, to enable the people of Sarajevo and Bosnia-Herzegovina as a whole to finally come out of this inhuman horror. The impossibility of the Pope’s visit is just another painful event in a series of so many.

The Catholic people in Sarajevo and our entire country, were spiritually prepared and “in their hearts” they could already see and feel the Holy Father amongst them in Sarajevo. They saw him as their torch bearer and peacemaker in the darkness and war surroundings of our time. We still, nevertheless, nurture a strong belief that our great God, who holds the fate of the Pope’s visit to Sarajevo in his hands as well as our own lives, will bless us with his grace and enable the Pope’s plans to be realised. This is the fervent wish of all our bishops, priests, clergy and nuns as well as the entire Catholic Church in B-H. As such we call upon all the faithful to continue with their prayers so that God willing the Pope’s words, “You are not abandoned. We are with you and will be more and more”, will come true not only in spirit but in reality with the Pope’s personal presence in Sarajevo.

Sarajevo, 6 September 1994

Msg. VINKO PULJIC, Archbishop of Vrhbosna & Metropolitan
Msg. FRANJO KOMARICA, Bishop of Banja Luka
Msg. RATKO PERIC, Bishop of Mostar-Duvno and Administrator of Trebinje-Mrkanj
Msg. PERO SUDAR, Assistant Bishop of Vrhbosna