Bjelovar (IKA) – Within the framework of the program Rom Weekend, on October 2 a beginning catechism was presented for young children of Rom nationality at the Research Center of Rom Culture in Bjelovar. The following spoke about the importance of this book: the director of the Catholic weekly Glas Koncila, the Rev. Nedjeljko Pintarić; the head of the Committee for Pastoral Activity Among Roms of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Sister Karolina Miljak; the the translator and president of the Association of Autochthonous Croatian Roms, Lovara Gorana Đurđević; and the illustrator, Stjepan Moškatelo.
The beginning catechism was prepared according to texts by Dr. Josip Jakšić, Bog je s nama [God is with Us], and a text he prepared with Sister Karolina Manda Mićanović, Učimo ljubiti Boga i ljude [Let Us Learn to Love God and People]. The contents of this beginning catechism cover the fundamental religious truths, expressed in two languages, Rom and Croatian. Each topic is accompanied by an illustration adapted to Rom culture. The last chapter was dedicated to the first beatified Rom martyr, Ceferino Jimenez Malla.
This work is a unique catechistic undertaking on the world level. It can be expected to contribute significantly to the inculturation of Roms and the preservation of their language and identity, emphasized Slađana Đurđević, who presented the catechism and is also the president of the Council of the Rom National Minority in the City of Bjelovar.