Bosnische Tragödie und kirchliche Versöhnungsarbeit
The Bosnian Tragedy and the Reconciliation Work of the Church

Summary/Abstract: In former Yugoslavia, ethnic differences have developed into an exclusive mentality, acknowledging only the innate ethnic, religious or cultural group and excluding others. The idea of a “Greater Serbia” has been the most vigorous, yet not the only, development in that respect. The great powers, or the international community respectively, have often reinforced ethnic separation and radical ideologies through their unanimous, sometimes cynical and arrogant approach towards the Balkan region. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Catholic Church had many times raised its voice in favor of human rights and respect of human dignity since the outbreak of the war – irrespective of the ethnic background. Although, especially in the Republika Srbska, many Catholics have been expelled or killed and many religious places destroyed, the Catholic Church has reached out its hand for reconciliation, cooperation and dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox and the Islamic communities alike. Reconciliation work of the Catholic Church today includes many activities like humanitarian aid, education of children and adults. They all apply to people of different ethnic background thus contributing to diminish interethnic hatred and intolerance.

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