"After the sad years of the recent war, today, you, as peace operators, are called to strengthen communion and spread mercy, understanding and forgiveness in the name of Christ, both within the Christian communities and in the complex social fabric of Bosnia and Herzegovina": this was said this morning by Pope Benedict XVI to the bishops of the two Balkan countries, who are engaged in their visit ad limina. The Pope mentioned some "nagging problems that are pressing us", and made reference to the "condition of the exiles, equality among citizens of different religions… unemployment for young people, threatening racial tensions, which are the legacy he added of the complex historical events that your lands have experienced". In his tribute address to the Pope, card. Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Sarajevo and president of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, recalled that "of the approximately 820 thousand devotees who partook of the life of our four Dioceses, 466 thousand only are left". Many of them he added "are unlikely to come back". In addition, Puljic complained of the destruction of churches, pastoral centres, parish churches, but he added above all "false and misleading political attitudes and choices. The misrepresentation of the truth and the systematised deception stifle the inner and social liveliness of our fellow citizens". According to the cardinal, now that "guns are no longer shooting", there’s the "will to drown and hush up the Bishops’ voice". The international agencies too he added "regularly disregard all the proposals and requests we make".
