BISHOP OF BANJA LUKA IS NOT SATISFIED WITH RETURN PROCESSES IN 2007

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia (December 26,2007) – The Bishop of Banja Luka Franjo Komarica is not satisfied with the number of Catholics who returned to the area this year. Not much was done in the process of ensuring sustainable return.

”Although we are still urging the politicians, no strategy has been adopted this year. Some progress was made in Posavina and in the Mrkonjic Grad area”, Bishop Komarica stated at a press conference held in the northern Bosnian city of Banja Luka on the occasion of marking the 2007 Catholic Christmas.

Komarica hopes that a synchronized cooperation between the local politicians and international representatives will take place. Croatia has so far been the main donor in the process of construction of destroyed houses of Catholic refugees.

Commenting the process of return of the Catholic Church property, Bishop Komarica stated that the first step in the sector was made during this year after a building belonging to Catholic Church in Banja Luka was returned and a part of the real estates of the famous monastery of Marija Zvijezda in Banja Luka.

Bishop Komarica read the Catholic Christmas note and emphasized the importance of family, community, comradeship in faith, life and love.

Komarica congratulated Christmas to all the Catholics in Bosnia and in the rest of the world, especially to the refugees. He hopes that the following year will be the year of return.