Ruma, May 13, 1999 (IKA) – Despite difficult conditions in the part of the Đakovo and Srijem Diocese within the borders of Yugoslavia, on May 12, the feast of St. Leopold, Bishop Marin Srakić visited the Parish of the Triumph of the Holy Cross (Uzvišenja sv. Križa) in Ruma. In this parish, the feast of St. Leopold Bogdan Mandić is celebrated as a day of devotion, especially this year when the parish is commemorating its 250th anniversary.
Bishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo and Srijem concelebrated a Solemn Mass together with the episcopal vicar for Srijem, Msgr. Stjepan Miler. After the Mass, the bishop met with priests active in the territory of Srijem, and discussed conditions in their parishes. According to the bishop#!s remarks, priests from this area are not permitted to travel outside of Yugoslavia, except for two who have Croatian passports and Yugoslav visas. After returning to Đakovo, Bishop Srakić pointed out that “all are enduring the terrible bombardment. The destruction of roads prevents the normal movement of people. It is very difficult that they do not receive regular electricity, water and gasoline. If all of them are not in direct danger from bombs, the fear of powerful detonations that constantly echo is inevitable. Fear and insecurity are increased because not only military targets are being bombed. The sporadic provocations and rumors that Croats are setting devices for guiding NATO bombs and other aerial projectiles are particularly unpleasant. It should nevertheless be said, as witnessed by priests, that the official authorities are not making these accusations and in certain cases have even defended and protected Croats from such attacks. For priests, the fuel shortage is a great problem in their pastoral work. They receive a very limited ration and must travel to many distant parishes and filial parishes.”
On the trip to Ruma, Bishop Srakić met with the parish priest in Srijemska Mitrovica, who informed him of a meeting to be held that day of the Commission for National Minorities, with the minister for national minorities in Yugoslavia presiding. Present at this meeting were all the municipal officials, the parish priest, one Greek Catholic priest and one Serbian Orthodox priest. On the return trip from Ruma, Bishop Srakić visited this meeting, at which the discussion included the establishment of a Croatian cultural center in Srijemska Mitrovica, that Croats have been seeking for a long time. After the parish priest#!s presentation, the minister stated that the purpose of this ministry was actually to allow national minorities to cultivate their own identities. He added that the reason for the long wait for this center was the slowness of the administration. Bishop Srakić pointed out that this is a significant shift because for a long time Croats were not recognized in this region as a national minority. The bishop expressed the hope that the relations among people of various nationalities and religious confessions in this region will change for the better.