No going back

To date, the newborn province of Kosovo, the Serbian province that past February 17 unilaterally proclaimed independence from Belgrade, has been granted recognition by 51 countries, including the United States and two thirds of European Union States. International divides along with Russia’s strong opposition contribute to the diplomatic controversy. The dispute also affects Kosovo’s domestic reality: part of the province to the North of the city of Mitrovic, failed to recognize the new authorities. While a few weeks ago, the United Nations’ General Assembly acknowledged Serbia’s government’s request for a ruling on the legitimacy of Pristine’s independence to the International Court of Justice. “We can’t return to past reality. Serbians and Albanians ought to work together for the future of Kosovo. We must constantly bear in mind that it’s the only way enabling both States’ EU membership”, declared Msgr. Dode Gjergji, apostolic administrator in Prizren, commenting Kosovo’s difficult situation. Michele Luppi interviewed him for SIR Europe. Kosovo is going through a very delicate moment. In which way can the Catholic Church promote dialogue and reconciliation? “The Catholic Church wishes to be a flame of peace, a voice in the desert calling for the promotion of coexistence and reconciliation. We are aware that we cannot change things on our own, because we are a small reality (Catholic Kosovars, some 70 thousand, represent 3.5% of the population, 90% of whom are Muslims, while the rest are Orthodox Christians ed.’s note). However, we seek to give our contribution to the erection of a common home where everyone has the vision of a positive future”. How are the relations with the other religions?“Relations with the Islamic community are good, and we do our best to jointly promote common values such as family protection and the respect of life. A few years ago we signed a joint memorandum against human trafficking, a strongly felt problem throughout the Balkans, while in the framework of Kosovo’s new constitution, we jointly worked on modifications over a number of ethical issues that we consider excessively liberal”. How are relations with the Orthodox Church: have there been signs of rapprochement in the past months? (Past political events triggered a number of conflicts. In fact, almost all Catholics are Albanians while the Orthodox are Serbians ed.’s note) “I must admit that something is changing at grass-root level marking ongoing relations with our Orthodox brothers. But not as much at Church level. We must continue praying, since the wind of hatred and nationalism continues blowing in many hearts. Only its wipe will enable our common Christian values to reemerge”. In the past, Kosovo’s Church was defined “flourishing” by an Apostolic Nuncio. After many years, what is today’s response to the Evangelical message? “Ours is a small but vibrant Church that continues bearing its fruits. Vocations aren’t missing nor are the conversions. Last year, for example, we accompanied one hundred catechumens to Baptism”. How did the Muslim majority react?“There has been much debate on the press and in the public opinion, but everything remained at the level of dialogue and exchange of views”. The Church is cherishing the dream of erecting a Cathedral in the heart of Pristine dedicated to Mother Theresa who was born in Kosovo. How are the works proceeding?“In the past two years we thoroughly committed ourselves for this objective. We are finally starting to see the first results. By the forthcoming Easter the curia’s buildings and the pastoral centre will be completed, while the cathedral is still at the foundations stage and I think we will have to wait until Autumn 2010”. What does this endeavor represent for you?“It will be a symbol for all the Catholics living in Kosovo and for the many faithful living throughout Europe and the United States (some 50 thousand all together ed.’s note) From a more practical viewpoint, shifting the main offices from Prizen, a city in the South, in Pristine, will make it simpler to preserve the ties with the parishes and the faithful”. How will you manage to preserve relations with world Kosovars? “We’re constantly in touch with them, especially those living in major communities such as those in Switzerland, Austria or the United States. In these cases we send our priests to live with them and accompany their journey. Kosovars have profound ties with their homeland and most of them regularly return to receive the sacraments in their parishes of origin”.