Cardinal Puljić receives Reis Kavazović: The Pope is a dear guest in BiH

Metropolitan Archbishop of Vrhbosna Cardinal Vinko Puljić received the Reis-ul-Ulema of the Islamic Community in BiH, Husein ef. Kavazović. Accompanying Reis-ul-Ulema Kavazović were: his deputy, Mr. Husein ef. Smajić and the director of the Administration for Foreign Affairs of the Riyasat of the Islamic Community in BiH, Mr. Razim Čolić. The conversation also included Cardinal Puljić's associate, Rev. Mladen Kalfić, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, reports the Patria news agency.

At the beginning of the conversation, Cardinal Puljić congratulated Reis-ul-Ulema Kavazović on his decisive and much-needed words condemning extremism and terrorism, stating that this had a very positive echo in the media and the social community of all of Europe.

Reis-ul-Ulema Kavazović told Cardinal Puljić that he was pleased with the announcement of Pope Francis's visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and added:

-The leaders of the Catholic Church are dear guests in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was so when we were visited by the great friend of BiH, Pope John Paul II, and the same applies to Pope Francis. This is not only my position, but the position of the entire Islamic Community in BiH. We Muslims in BiH have a special joy because of the stance of Pope Francis and his commitment to the common good. The main highlights of his appearances so far are concern for the poor and abandoned, and that should be a universal value for all, said Reis-ul-Ulema Kavazović, among other things.

Deputy Reis-ul-Ulema ef. Smajić welcomed the announcement that the leaders of religious communities in BiH would meet jointly with Pope Francis. Cardinal Puljić said that in creating the program for the Pope's visit, he would try to include that meeting, which could probably be held at the Apostolic Nunciature.

During the pleasant conversation, the interlocutors exchanged views on the current state of religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was emphasized that, after the establishment of the new government, especially the Council of Ministers of BiH, a final solution is expected for issues such as: the return of expropriated property of Churches and religious communities, resolving the issue of religious holidays at the level of the entire BiH, and resolving the health and pension insurance of religious officials.

-These are just some details that we have been promised to do for twenty years, and from the new government we will demand that the promises finally be fulfilled - the interlocutors jointly concluded.

Towards the end of the conversation, Reis-ul-Ulema Kavazović thanked Cardinal Puljić for the reception, as well as the entire Catholic Church in BiH for its "great commitment to the peoples of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and for its work on reconciliation and improving interpersonal relations." He then congratulated the Cardinal on 20 years of cardinal dignity, and gave him a suitable gift. At the end, he said that "the Islamic Community in BiH stands ready to provide comprehensive assistance in the best possible and dignified organization of the Pope's visit." Cardinal Puljić then thanked him "for the support and openness in this great project that lies before us," KTA reported.