Banja Luka, July 18, 1997 (IKA) — The Bosnian-Herzegovian Conference of Bishops held their tenth regular session from July 14 to 16 in Banja Luka. In addition to Archbishop Cardinal Vinko Puljić, president of the conference, and Bishops Ratko Perić , Franjo Komarica and Pero Sudar, the session was attended by the apostolic nuncio in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Francesco Monterisi, Croatian Bishop Marin Srakić and Slovenian Bishop Jozef Kvas.
As declared in the official statement, the bishops adopted a joint position on the pastoral activity in the Church and discussed the organization of charitable activities as well as the need for improving the organization of Caritas. They also decided to establish the Council for the Spiritual Guidance of Catholic Believers, Members of the Armed Forces and Police Forces in that country. This council will be headed by Bishop Pero Sudar. The bishops emphasized the urgent need for suitable contracts between the Holy See and the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina. They distanced themselves from certain individuals in Church circles who have been spreading libelous rumors about the role of the Catholic Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina. During the session, there was reference to the activity of the Sarajevo Catholic theological school, seminary and individual councils of the Conference of Bishops. In their appeal to the domestic and international public, the bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina condemned the lack of implementation of the Dayton Peace Treaty.
In a separate statement, the bishops distanced themselves from the illegal acknowledgement of Catholic associations in the civil domain, particularly the so-called “Peace and Good Association of Catholic Believers” in the territory of Herzegovina. Since this association has not been recognized by the local bishop of Mostar, the Bosnian-Herzegovian Conference of Bishops or the Holy See, the bishops emphasized that it cannot not bear the name of “Catholic.” Therefore, the Bosnian-Herzegovian Conference of Bishops “declares that the registration of this #!association#! by the High Court in Mostar is illegal.” Moreover, the bishops distanced themselves from the activity of this association which they do not believe contributes to peace and the good of the Catholic Church. “Therefore, we appeal to the consciences of Catholic believers to obey the Church law concerning this association. We expect that the Province of the Herzegovian Franciscans will not allow the eventual supporters of such an #!association#! to employ Franciscan symbols and slogans, thereby compromising the reputation of the Franciscans in the Church and world,” emphasized the bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina in their separate statement regarding the illegal recognition of the “Peace and Gooyd Association of Catholic Believers” by the High Court in Mostar.