A growing Country

Having been appointed Apostolic Nuncio in Ireland, in the next few days Msgr. Giuseppe Leanza will be leaving Bulgaria’s apostolic see where he was appointed nuncio in 2003. He was born in Cesarò (Messina-Italy), was nominated priest in 1966 and bishop in 1990. In 1999 Msgr. Leanza was transferred to the Balkan region , holding office as apostolic nuncio in Bosnia- Herzegovina. From 2002-2003 he was also the nuncio in Slovenia and Macedonia. On this occasion Iva Mihailovai asked him to share with Sir his experience in the Balkan region. Could you draw a balance of the five years spent in Bulgaria? “Two aspects are especially dear to me. Firstly, the relations between Bulgaria and the Holy See. After the visit by John Paul II in 2002, a very high point was reached, marked by an atmosphere of cordiality and mutual esteem which lasted throughout the years. The Country’s highest institutional representatives have been received by the Holy Father, first by John Paul II and now by Benedict XVI. Another important element is marked by relations between the Holy See and the local Catholic Church, also characterized by important events. There have been meetings with Card. Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, Cardinal Ignace Moussa I Daoud, in his capacities as President of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, and Cardinal Angleo Sodano, Secretary of State at the time. The visit by Cardinal Kasper encouraged ecumenical dialogue with the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Cardinal Daoud visited the Country’s three Catholic dioceses, while in May 2006 St.Joseph’s new Catholic concathedral in Sophia was inaugurated at the presence of Cardinal Sodano. Before reaching Sophia you were Apostolic Nuncio in Bosnia-Herzegovina. To the light of the latest events in Kosovo, how do you envisage the region’s future? “I believe that Balkan stability can be achieved keeping our focus upon these Countries’ integration into united Europe. This process is developing with courage and determination. Bulgaria is already part of the European Union, and almost all Balkan Countries are aimed at reaching this objective. Croatia is already following the path of adhesion. A commitment in this direction involves also Albania and Macedonia. Even Serbia, aimed at shunning isolation, will have to follow the wake. In order to achieve real and true stability in the region both the European Community and the leaders of the single Countries need to pursue this goal with determination since it would ensure peace and stability”.The five years of your mandate embraced a very interesting period of the history of Bulgaria: Nato entry in 2004 and in the EU in 2007. How did the Country experience these events? “Since the beginning, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Country had two major objectives: democratization and modernization. All governments that took office brought this process forth with increasingly greater commitment. A clear sign of this approach is entry in the Nato and in the EU. These are successful events for Bulgaria, which will be passed down in history”. How many Catholics are there in Bulgaria and where do they live? What is the relationship with the other religious confessions present in the Country? “Bulgaria’s Catholic community is a small minority, approximately 80,000 people representing 1% of the population. The Catholic Church is divided into three dioceses: two of Latin rite, those of Sofia and Plovdiv, and of Nicopoli (while the bishop’s residence is in Russe). The third is the apostolic exarchate of Bizatine-Slav rite, which represents the entire Country. In Rakovski, the only city with Catholic majority, there are over 16,000 faithful, while the entire diocese of Sofia and Plovdiv counts some 30,000. Religious tolerance is an integrating part of Bulgaria’s culture and tradition. Even during difficult moments in the international scenario, marked by world tensions, here the different ethnic and religious communities never displayed signs of intolerance. There are friendly relations between the Catholic community, the Orthodox Church and the Muslim Community. A token of this atmosphere is the latest meeting of South-Eastern bishops held in Sofia, attended by representatives of the Holy Synod and by the vice Grand Mufti”.What memories do you cherish?“This nunciature was a significant experience, marked by the living memory of Angelo Ronacalli who was to become Pope John XXIII. I was welcomed by a very warm Country, whose population is friendly, respectful and very religious. The heritage of the Saints Cyril and Methodius is strongly perceived. It’s important to work so that this religiosity develops into a testimony of authentic Christian life”.