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In the past months, he has not appeared in public as in previous years, but Archbishop of Vrbosna in Peace, Cardinal Vinko Prugic, continues to closely follow the events in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region and the world, carrying a heavy burden. Subject to numerous temptations. According to tradition, he has already spoken for Vespers during the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin. This year there are also a large number of people from Europe and the world who have returned to their hometown, where the atmosphere is particularly festive. Preparations for the celebration of this holiday are being made both spiritually and familially.
Despite a contract with the Holy See being signed less than 20 years ago, the Feast of the Assumption of Mary is still not an official holiday for Catholics. What does this tell you, especially in the context of relations in this country?
– I cannot answer this question, because it is not clear to me why the implementation of the Basic Agreement is being hindered. I am especially unclear about non-working days during holidays, because our religious leaders agreed long ago that each church and religious community has five non-working days. I have come to the conclusion, with regret, that some people are concerned with hindering the building of fellowship in various ways. The reasons for this are sometimes differences among domestic politicians, sometimes some international representatives making trouble. Not only is this region a training ground for skirmishes and outwitting, but this has been experienced in almost all regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where politicians’ outwitting has made the public tired.
Still, people didn’t seem to mind. Many rushed back to their home countries. How important was this holiday to them, and how important was it to you personally?
– The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady gathers every year many faithful who have left their homeland for various reasons. It is especially joyful that whole families come here and, in addition to staying in the place where their roots are, they make pilgrimages to the Shrine of Our Lady, receive the sacrament of confession, attend the celebrations of the masses and pray to God through the intercession of the Heavenly Mother. I personally consider this celebration a signpost, since Our Lady was taken to Heaven, body and soul, and we hope that we will be there in the arms of the Trinity, in the company of Our Lady and the Saints.
Are Croatians a bit selfish, that’s why they like the Virgin so much?
– Of course, it is about belonging, not belonging, because all have the opportunity to experience Our Lady as an advocate and model of how to be faithful to God and do His will. Since our history is also turbulent, Mary is a special refuge for our people in all difficulties. In all these places of pilgrimage and prayer, the faithful experience Mary’s intercession and prayer, and experience consolation, encouragement of hope and constant openness to God.
Nowadays, one often hears how calling on women to be mothers and wives hinders their right to a career, right to live freely…?!
– These are all clichés of secularism and relativism. The dignity of woman and mother is a gift from God to man and humanity. When the image of woman and mother begins to crumble, humanity also begins to crumble. Her role cannot be replaced by any ideology or politics, because the gift of God at creation is the difference between man and woman, as collaborators and companions in the realization of God’s plan for man and humanity. Humanity is not developed through ambition, nor is it achieved through self-realization, but through love and self-sacrifice.
The Pope also sent a message for this Youth Day in Medjugorje, which can be interpreted in many ways – from support for what is happening in Medjugorje to simply an invitation to follow the teachings of Christ and the example of Mary?
– With this gesture, the Pope expresses his closeness to the young people gathered in Medjugorje and calls them to a consistent Christian life in this uncrossed Europe and the world. Whether this gesture means something new for Medjugorje, we must wait. One should not prejudge, but accept and respect this message. This year’s Mladifest, which brought together the largest number of young people, made it especially clear that young people are thirsting for God and spirituality. We, the elders, who often set a bad example for them and failed to instill in them true Christian values, have reason to regret our mistakes.
We have talked about it enough, but how did you feel about the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in France? Are we talking about a scene that is reminiscent of the Last Supper and an insult to Christians, to the Church?
– French culture is strange like this. Although it was one of the first countries to believe in Christianity, it relativized Christianity and allowed liberalism to prevail. Therefore, the above ceremony reflects the spirit of France to a certain extent. Not long ago, they did something similar to Islam, which caused innocent people to suffer. Every father and mother, as well as schools and other educational institutions, teach children that they should not insult anyone by mocking their values, and that they should respect others. At the same time, at the beginning of such a beautiful and noble manifestation as the Olympics, the organizers allow themselves to mock Christian values under the guise of artistic freedom and the maintenance of so-called equality. That is not freedom. Free people do good to others, respect others, do not insult others. We were created for the freedom of God’s children. At the same time, this can also be seen as a sign that modern people are looking for the Lord Christ, even if in a wrong way, who washed the feet of the apostles in the freedom of divine and human love, showed that the way of service is actually the way of domination, and gave his life to save the world.
They will immediately tell you it’s freedom of artistic expression?!
– Failure to respect the freedom of others and to promote true values and responsibilities is not freedom, but anarchy or the dictatorship of the strong over the weak. Unfortunately, we live in an era where responsibility is demanded at every level, but at the moral level, responsibility is almost non-existent, although this is an extraordinary and important area for people and humanity. This is the development of a strange culture where moral principles are trampled on and true values are relativized. That is why the dignity of people and society is questioned.
A bloody incident in a small town in the UK has sparked riots in the country. Security issues arise with the arrival of immigrants, and this is also the case in Bosnia and Herzegovina. What do you think of this phenomenon?
– This is a very complex question. It must be said that the rich countries of the West are becoming more and more closed, the birth rate is very low, which is also a big economic challenge, so an external workforce is inevitably needed. It should also be said that wars are most often fought in poor countries for the benefit of the rich, which usually leads to greater poverty, destruction and exile of people. We ourselves have gone through similar periods, so it is easy for us to understand. Many people, especially young people, go to richer countries in search of higher incomes and a more comfortable life. I cannot assess whether there are other intentions or plans about spreading religion or own culture. It is not easy to assess the problems in Bosnia and Herzegovina, because we do not have a unified legal structure. Politicization leads to no equal security. All three factions have their own theories. Immigrants should respect the culture of the country they are coming to, which they are often not taught, because they often come from countries that are exclusive to others and different people. It is certain that real assistance for the development and construction of poor countries will lead to the fact that most people will not go abroad to find better living conditions.
Some foreigners still come to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, but our citizens leave. Why is Bosnia and Herzegovina not good enough for the locals?
– I can only say with sadness that this politicized situation makes many Croats see no future in Bosnia and Herzegovina, so they leave to others what they have defended with blood for centuries. Many are tired of this political and media atmosphere that constantly spreads a distortion of history and an atmosphere of hatred. This is a poor country that does not love its citizens. I regret that too little organization is done for the survival of Croats and to remain at their hearth.
Will politicians visit you after you retire?
– Some of them came to visit me or consult me about something. I thank them for not forgetting me. I thank God for giving me this corner of peace and blessing where I recently lived in the Caritas Parish Social Center of the Archdiocese of Lugfr Bosna, in the parish of Gromiljak, near Kiseljak and Sarajevo. I sincerely thank the doctors and all the staff, headed by the Director of Caritas and the Director of the Center, for their care and concern.
What do you think of the remarks of a religious official who called on believers to unite against the cross in the elections and spoke out against the raising of the cross over Mostar?
– Such remarks are inappropriate and do not contribute to mutual respect and appreciation. We must speak respectfully and not let political interests prevail.
Do Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina experience their homeland? What do you think of the persistent doubts about whether they are patriotic enough?
– From the very beginning, I made it clear that all parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina are the homeland of Croats and the other two constituent states. However, other countries and, to varying degrees, certain policies of our country have different visions, which, unfortunately, have largely prevailed, with serious consequences for many innocent people. Who has the right to say that the country where God favored me with my birth and growth is not my country and my homeland, and what could be more normal than to love and build it together with all the other people sent by God on my path of life? It is the duty of every politician to make it possible for all of us to do this, and not to create “God” for their own selfish interests and abuse our differences. It is necessary to make Croats feel at home here, to make them equally respected in all regions and in every place of the Motherland. Unfortunately, the majority of our representatives have not yet begun to seriously address the issue of the rights of Croats in all areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This can also be seen very clearly today in the place where some Catholic Croats in the diocese of Banjolucka are suffering greatly, where, apart from Croatian entities and diplomatic representatives, there are no other Croatian representatives or media, as in previous years. . It must not be allowed that some victims are worth less than others.
Next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Dayton Agreement. It seems that some countries are still at war, and the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina is often referred to as a “frozen conflict.” Is there still hope for these people, for this country?
– The Dayton Agreement itself is largely a legalized injustice. What was signed has not actually been implemented, let alone a state of peace. There are attempts to use political interests as a criterion instead of justice, human dignity and human rights. On the one hand, we are often small players in the hands of the powerful, and on the other hand, we show little love and dedication to building this God-given country as a place where we live now and in the future with mutual respect and harmony.
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