Back to 'have your say'
Subject: Cardinal Puljic's Cautions About Islam
From: <Thetruth@copticdigest.com>
Date: Thu, 10 Oct 2002 01:05:59 -0400
Date: 2002-10-07
Cardinal Puljic's Cautions About Islam
Archbishop of Sarajevo Urges Insistence on the Principle of Reciprocity
SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina, OCT. 7, 2002
(<http://www.zenit.org/>ZENIT.org-<http://www.avvenire.it/>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.