Catholics ‘less than equal’ in face of ethnic discrimination

DURING A conference in Sarajevo discussing interreligious violence, Cardinal Vinko Puljic stated that Catholics face great persecution in Bosnia-Herzogovina because of a severe lack of “ethnic equality”, writes James Roberts. “We Catholics are in a grave position. There is no equality in the [neighbouring] Serbian Republic, there is no equality in the [Bosnian] federation,” the cardinal explained. “Where there is no equality, it isn’t possible to live in peace.”

Cardinal Puljic is Archbishop of Vrhbosna Diocese in Sarajevo, capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was participating in a 16-17 June conference convened by the Oasis foundation, the international organisation founded by Cardinal Angelo Scola that fosters Christian-Muslim dialogue.

The conference examined violence among religions in light of the 100-year anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.