Archbishop Vuksic calls for preserving dialogue and preventing discrimination in BiH

In his welcoming address in Banja Luka, at the opening of a regular session of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Archbishop Vuksic recalled that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the promulgation of Nostra aetate, the Declaration on the Relation of the Church with Non-Christian Religions, by the Second Vatican Council.

Over the past decades, this declaration has guided the Holy See and local churches around the world in building relationships, and promoting dialogue and cooperation with followers of various traditions.

This remains a timely message and a pressing need for all people, especially in complex societies like Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Vuksic noted that the declaration promotes dialogue, and that is why the Church encourages its members to engage in conversation and collaboration with adherents of other faiths.

The Archbishop emphasised that messages of love, cooperation, and dialogue carry special significance amid the tragic events unfolding around the world. He added that it is essential to eliminate any basis for theories or practices that introduce discrimination between individuals and peoples.

"For the building of social harmony and a just peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, to which we are sincerely committed, the message of the declaration is of exceptional importance," the Catholic dignitary stressed, adding that this is particularly important ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Dayton Agreement.

"For any person and any nation, the greatest humiliation is when their dignity is stolen by the disregard of human and religious rights, through, for example, the existence and abuse of unjust laws, various conditionalities and discrimination, the privatisation of patriotism, the dehumanisation of others, manipulation of minority communities, and the imposition of their representatives.”

Archbishop Vuksic’s remarks underscored the urgent need to respect dignity and rights as fundamental pillars for enduring peace and social cohesion.

The Catholic Church, therefore, as he said, consistently condemns any discrimination or abuse of people carried out based on race or colour, social status, or religion.