Raffi Gregorian visited Bishop VasilijeRaffi Gregorian visited Bishop Vasilije

His Grace Bishop Vasilije of Zvornik and Tuzla received yesterday, at the temporary office of the Diocese - a monastery of St. Vasilije of Ostrog in Bijeljina, Raffi Gregorian, Brcko Supervisor and Deputy High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On this occasion they discussed about political and security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Brcko District, and also about other issues that are burdening normal functioning of the Church in this region.

In introductory presentation, Bishop Vasilije congratulated 10-years jubilee of the District of Brcko, also mentioning the momentary problems of the Church regarding the subject"catechism" on the territory of the Brcko District. During the discussion, Raffi Gregorian explained reasons why cathehism was late, also claiming that catechism will get, from September of the next year, the same status as others subjects.

Then it was being discussed on financial help increase for religious communities and the renewal of destroyed buildings, as well as on providing help for the returnees to their homes, renewal of their homes and a necessary agricultural mechanisation supply.

The problem of the property restitution in Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation was pointed out, especially the Seminary building in Sarajevo, for only the Serbian Orthodox Church does not have its Seminary of theology in Sarajevo. The common statement is that it would be purposeful to solve this problem as soon as possible.

The lack of the Ministry of Faith or a Direction for Faith was also pointed out in Federation, therefore religious communities do not have nowhere to turn to in order to solve problems.

Very hard labour conditions were also mentioned and the existence of Inter-religious Council.

The worrying point was the fact that only two of five bishops in Bosnia and Herzegovina are in their offices, while the offices in Sarajevo, Mostar and Tuzla are vacant.

At the end of the talks, satisfaction was expressed because of the meeting which enabled many questions, and therefore these meetings are very essential.

Source: Diocese of Zvornik and Tuzla