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Posted on 10/07/2002 7:01:22 PM PDT by AncientAirs
Archbishop of Sarajevo Urges Insistence on the Principle of Reciprocity
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina, OCT. 7, 2002 (ZENIT.org-Avvenire).- Cardinal Vinko Puljic, archbishop of Sarajevo, has been discussing with representatives of European episcopates the difficulty of coexistence with Islam.
The cardinal has been the host of the plenary assembly of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences (CCEE). Here, he talks about the demands of relations with the Islamic world.
Q: How are relations between Catholics and Muslims in Bosnia?
Cardinal Puljic: Ten years ago, before the war, they were very good. However, from that moment, the situation has changed.
The first sign was the arrival of humanitarian aid from Arab countries: It was distributed only to Muslims; it was prohibited to give it to Christians. Our Caritas, instead, made no ethnic or religious distinctions; everyone could benefit. However for them, the aid was a means to promote the Islamization of society.
Q: Does this process continue today?
Cardinal Puljic: Of course. They have not limited themselves to repair mosques damaged by the war. They have built very many new ones, more than 10 in Sarajevo alone, and, in addition, many Muslim schools, and an Islamic theology school.
A massive propaganda financed by Iran, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia has also been launched -- propaganda that at times does not spare harsh attacks on the Christian religion. I must say that the chief ulema of the Muslim community of Bosnia has condemned these periodic attacks. Nevertheless, they cause concern.
Q: What are your personal relations like with leaders of Islam?
Cardinal Puljic: We work together in the Interreligious Council. We have explained that in 1992-1995 there was no war of religion, although among us, religious and ethnic identity tend to coincide and this creates problems. We are working on a plan for respect for religious liberty, which we will present to the authorities of the country.
Q: Is there religious liberty in Bosnia-Herzegovina?
Cardinal Puljic: It is a complex matter. The Orthodox Church, considered a state church, is in the federation's Serbian Republic. The Muslims rule in the Republic of Bosnia and, in fact, we are unable to get permission for the construction of new churches. Over the past 50 years, only one has been built in Sarajevo. I have been asking for permission to build three buildings for worship, but I have not yet received a reply.
Q: Is it a way of making life difficult for Catholics?
Cardinal Puljic: I don't know. In fact, many faithful are thinking of emigrating. It is a very subtle, sinuous discrimination. We, as the Catholic Church, do not lose heart. One of our most important programs refers to multi-ethnic schools, which we wish to develop as much as possible.
Q: Are you afraid that Bosnia will become an Islamic state?
Cardinal Puljic: I hope it will continue to be a secular state where the principle of equality rules between various ethnic groups and religious confessions.
Q: What has changed in your country since the Sept. 11 attacks?
Cardinal Puljic: Muslim leaders have condemned terrorism but there are resentments in regard to the West. Many do not accept the request made by the United States to our authorities to check if members of al-Qaida or other terrorist organizations are hiding in Bosnia.
Q: Is it true that many Muslim combatants have remained, who came to help Bosnian Muslims during the war years?
Cardinal Puljic: Many of them have married and are now citizens of our country. I don't know if they are terrorists, but I want to add something: The United States knew, since 1992, that there were foreign militias here of Muslim countries. But the U.S. didn't say anything.
Then, when I pointed it out to a high U.S. official, he paid no attention to my observation. On the contrary, he accused me of narrow nationalism. Only after Sept. 11 have they started to cry out, scandalized.
Q: In your opinion, what should Europe do in face of Islam?
Cardinal Puljic: I'm afraid Europe still doesn't know Islam well. It must wake up, not to launch new crusades but to be aware of the new challenge.
Muslims in Europe must be respected in their identity, as every religion must be in countries of Muslim majority. However, there must be insistence on the principle of reciprocity, it is a fundamental point. Europe itself is at stake, which cannot give up respect for liberty and the rights of the individual. And Bosnia, let this be clear, is in Europe.
ZE02100720
Too little, too late. Europe is a lost cause. The cancer has spread too far.
But new mosques are built, the Croats have no one to blame but themselves.
No necessarily. It is entirely possible that the Islamists will push the common people of Europe a little too far and they will push back. Of course, this will also require them to overthrown their masters, the intellectual "elite" who rule Europe. Unfortunately, the most likely form a political reaction will take is a Nationalist, racist or even National Socialist one.
Denial of permission to build, rebuild, or repair churches is one of the debilities that muslims impose on minority Christians in islamic states, under sharia law!!!!
The main point is that the muslim "nationalist" party of Izetbegovic engineered the succession of "Bosnia" to create an islamic state, in which there will be NO PLACE for Christians!!!! All these events cited by the cardinal are absolutely consistent with that goal!!!!
That includes importing foreign islamists to serve as ulema, mujehadin, propagandists, etc. The original Bosnian muslim population had relatively few extremists, so Izzy and his gang had to bring foreign islamists in to radicalize them, especially the youth!!!!
Specifically, clinton knew and approved when numerous Muslim terrorists violated the embargo and entered Bosnia, with weapons. They are still there.
Clinton, Blair, and Schroeder basically took Bosnia and Kosovo from Yugoslavia and handed them over to the Muslims. With the help of the major media, including BBC, The New York Times, the Washington ComPost, CNN, and the networks.
Iberia, for example was split between Arian Christian German tribes and the Catholic population they ruled over when the Arabs showed up.
Indeed, I am fully aware of same. . . but the Zillion dollar question is simply this:
One needs to understand the reason for the crusades better.
Do not forget credit where credit is due: honorable mention is NJCRAC
NJCRAC orchestrated nation-wide campaigns on behalf of Muzzleems and spread Muzzleem lies. By denigrating Serbs, NJCRAC opened floodgate to the vicius propaganda that plagues Israel today.
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