Catholic population dispersed by Bosnia-Herzegovina conflict

Rome, Italy, Feb 23, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Franciscan Superior of the Province of Bosna Srebrena, Father Mijo Dzolan, warned that the conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina has led to the dispertion of the population in general, and the Catholic population in particular.  “Before the conflict there were around one million Catholics. Now there are only 500,000,” he said.

During his visit to Aid the Church in Need, Father Dzolan pointed out that Catholics in his country are not satisfied with the Dayton Accords, which divided Bosnia-Herzegovina into the Republic of Serbia and the Croat-Musilim Federation.

“They feel unsafe.  Many of them want to go to Croatia or other European countries where the have family,” he explained.

“The radicalization of politics and religion on all fronts is one of the most troublesome consequences of this war,” the Franscican priest said.

Regarding the growing Islamic influence in the region, Father Dzolan said there are increasingly less Muslims looking toward the good of Europe.  “In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Arab countries are having great influence, mostly due to their economic investments,” he noted.