Zagreb (IKA) – The Romes in Croatian received their first catechism in two Rome languages, Lovar and Bayah, published by the Committee of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Pastoral Activity among the Romes. This dual-language catechism, “On God’s Path. My Little Catechism” (PE DEVLESKO DROM. Mngho čikno Devlesko sičipe and PA KALJE LU DIMIZOULUJ. Kenvija da anvacala da Dimizou) was prepared by the head of the Committee of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Pastoral Activity among the Romes, S. Karolina Miljak, and is the fruit of her many years of pastoral experience as well as the close collaboration of a number of pastoral workers, catechists and experts in the Rome languages. This undertaking was hailed as a significant catechistic, publishing and cultural event, especially because until the publication of this catechism, at least one of the languages, Bayah, did not have its own written form.

Commenting on this unique undertaking during the presentation of the catechism on Wednesday, June 1, at the archdiocesan theological seminary in Zagreb, the president of the Committee of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Pastoral Activity with Romes, Bishop Marko Culej of Varaždin, pointed out that the catechism was intended for Rome families and children, through which the Croatian bishops want to demonstrate their concern and love for the Romes. Mons. Vladimir Stanković, general vicar of the Zagreb Archdiocese, briefly presented the early attempts at organizing pastoral care for Romes, wishing the book a good reception in Croatia and a good “journey in the great world,” while also expressing the hope that Romes outside of Croatia who speak these languages would also be able to use this catechism.

Referring to the fact that only approximately half of the Rome children in Croatia attend elementary school because either they are not sufficiently familiar with the Croatian language or they do not have valid documents, while of this number less than five percent continue their education, the head of the National Catechetics Office of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Dr. Ivica Pažin, expressed the conviction that these data would change soon, owing to the new catechism that is primarily intended for work in parish catechesis. In a review of the catechism by S. Karolina, Dr. Pažin pointed out that it was the fruit of her many years’ of practical work, which imparts the catechism with particular value. “One of the most interesting elements of the culture of storytelling in the Rome tradition is the interweaving of the real and the unreal, the everyday and that which is somewhat strange and unusual.” He also explained how the catechism follows the liturgical year and the basic catechistic and religious-pedagogical rules of faith in God and man, i.e. Christ-centric and Trinitarianism. “All these contents, accompanied by the intensity of the illustrations, bridge the faith and cultures of the Romes, as well as the religious culture of the world and the Croatian heritage with the religious testimony of persons of Rome nationality,” concluded Dr. Pažin’s text, which was read on his behalf by the head of the Catechesic Office of the Zagreb Archdiocese, Dr. Josip Jakšić.

Addressing those present, the author of the catechism, S. Karolina Miljak, said that the motivation for writing it issued from the liturgical and pastoral need to provide Rome children with something concrete in order to enable them to acquire religious knowledge, alone or with the help of their parents. Another motivation was culturological because it is known that faith and the Church create culture. She thanked all the collaborators, translators and others who had worked on the book for their excellent cooperation, especially the director of Glas Koncila, the publisher of this work.

The translator into Lovar, Goran Đurđević, and the translator into Bayah, Dragan Ignac, spoke about their translations, including the joys and difficulties they encountered in translating concepts and images that are difficult to express in the Sanskrit-based Lovar language, and the Rumanian-based Bayah language. Both translators pointed out that they hope that this dual-language catechism will contribute to the preservation of the Rome identity.

The catechism was illustrated by Stjepan Moškatelo, who said he had worked for a full year on the illustrations and that the Rome children would decide whether or not he did a good job. It was necessary for him to “get under the skin of the Rome world” and learn its history, life and customs in order to depict the biblical and religious topics faithfully. “This is a gift to the Church among the Croats and an indication of our efforts on behalf of our neighbors, specifically for our brother Romes,” said Moškatelo.

On behalf of the publisher, Glas Koncila, the Rev. Nedjeljko Pintarić acquainted the large audience, including guests from Italy and Slovenia in charge of pastoral activity among the Romes in their countries, as well as distinguished Romes and representatives of church, cultural and public institutions, with the details of the catechism. The program was conducted by Dr. Neven Hrvatić. During the presentation of the catechism, Rome children from Orehovica performed songs, conducted by their pastor, the Rev. Stjepan Mostečak. Rome elementary school children from Bjelovar and a group of seminarians from the theological seminary in Zagreb read excerpts from the catechism.