Public statement by the Bishop’s Ordinary Banja Luka in reply to a “STATEMENT” issued by the Serbian Refugee Assoc. from the former Yugoslav republic of Croatia, issued in Banja Luka 25 May 1995 (Prot. no: 374/95 dated 26 May 1995)

DESPITE OUR CONSISTENT EFFORTS TO AID ALL THOSE OPPRESSED AND RIGHTLESS PEOPLE, WE ARE CONSTANTLY FACED WITH INJUSTICE AND NEW ATROCITIES

Dear Sir/Madam!

You received (and published) a “Statement” by the Serbian Refugee Association from the former Yugoslav republic of Croatia dated 25 May 1995, which was signed by the Association's president, Dr Milan Vujinovic in “answer to the latest appeal by the Bishop of Banja Luka to the president of the Republic of Croatia to protect the Croats in Banja Luka with all the necessary measures”.

Would you please note (and publish) this “Statement” by the Bishop’s Ordinary in Banja Luka in reply to the above-mentioned statement .

1. The Bishop’s Ordinary in Banja Luka considers it its duty, now and in the future, to contribute to spreading the truth and to bringing about a just peace for every man, every religion and ethnic community.

2. Assertions noted in the “Statement” by the Serbian Refugee Association from the former republic of Croatia are founded on false presumptions and evident ignorance of the truth regarding the situation faced by Catholics in the Banja Luka Diocese, not to mention the behaviour to date of the Bishop, regarding the protection of basic human and civil rights and liberties for the Serbs both in B-H and Croatia.

3. Based on the many discussions, written statements and interventions which the Bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr Franjo Komarica had or issued to representatives of both the Serbian and Croatian peoples in the RS and Croatia also, to all the competent people in politics and the heads of state and representatives of the Serbian Orthodox Church headed by His Holiness, the Serbian Patriarch Mr Pavle, it is evident that the Bishop’s position was one of peace and tireless efforts to protect all those oppressed people stripped of their rights, regardless of their religious, national and ideological differences.

4. We regret that the numerous appeals Bishop Komarica and the Bishop’s Ordinary have made to date to protect the Serbs, wherever they were faced with oppression, were boycotted by the media of both sides. They all exist in the archives of this Ordinary.

5. We also regret that our new neighbours, i.e. members of the “Serbian Refugee Association" from the former Yugoslav republic of Croatia, even though they themselves have experienced the injustice and misfortunes of war, have taken it upon themselves to issue this “Statement” with all its negative repercussions to us indigenous citizens of Banja Luka. As such this has caused us injustice and has laid the way for new injustices to occur, even though we have done nothing to deserve this.

6. As believers in God, the Father of all people, Bishop Komarica and all the members of the Banja Luka Diocese will in the future both in word and action do everything to contribute to reconciliation and peace in truth, justice and love. We will rejoice if we find ourselves on the same side in this more than valuable task with the members of the “Serbian Refugee Association", as well as with all other people of good will in our region and town.

BISHOP’S ORDINARY, BANJA LUKA