The Church of Bosnia Herzegovina is reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Pius XII’s encyclical “Fidei donum” and on the call to missionary responsibility. As explained to the Fides press agency by the national director of the Pontifical Mission-Aid Societies, Father Tomo Knezevi, “all the activities marking the 50th anniversary of Fidei donum are being organized by the Pontifical Mission-Aid Societies: in particular separate assemblies on the theme “50th anniversary of Fidei donum and the responsibility of the Church in Bosnia Herzegovina” have been organized in the four dioceses of the country (Sarajevo, Mostar, Trebinje and Banja Luka). Bishop Ratko Peri of Mostar has prepared a report that has been presented in all the dioceses. A thesis translated into Croat by Father Stipe Ivan on “The missionary movement of the diocesan clergy in the Church among the Croatians in the historical and theological context” has also been distributed. The annual meeting of Croatian missionaries active in the diocese of Banja Luka has also been devoted to the 50th anniversary of Fidei donum and the missionary responsibility of the Church in Bosnia Herzegovina. The bishops of Bosnia Herzegovina took part in the meeting. “The Catholic Church in Bosnia Herzegovina over the last fifty years has sent 15 diocesan priests as Fidei donum to serve in the missions of other continents and countries, and so far they have spent a total of 165 years in mission”, concludes Father Knezevi.
