Easter greetings from BiH officials

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly, Denis Zvizdić, sent greetings on the occasion of the great Catholic holiday of Easter to the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora, stating: "On the occasion of the Catholic holiday of Easter, I extend my congratulations and wishes that you celebrate this great holiday in health, happiness, and peace with your families. I wish that we continue to walk the path of mutual respect together, nurturing the tradition of coexistence, good neighborliness, and appreciation. Happy Easter!".

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Josip Brkić, also sent Easter greetings.

"May the risen Christ be the strength of life for all Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and may the joy of His resurrection be light and hope," Brkić's greeting reads.

The Vice President of the Federation of BiH, Milan Dunović, sends greetings to the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, and all Catholics in BiH on the occasion of the great Catholic holiday of Easter.

"Your Excellency, I wish you and all Catholics in BiH a happy and blessed Easter, with wishes that you spend these special days in peace, joy, and celebration with your loved ones. I wish that Easter Day brings you happiness and hope for a better tomorrow, and that we all build a better future together in community. In these moments, let us not forget those who need help more than ever, let us help each other whenever we can, and let us not allow differences to distance and divide us," Dunović's greeting reads.

Ramiz Salkić, Vice President of the BiH entity RS, sent Easter greetings on Saturday, April 11, 2020, to the Bishop of Banja Luka, Franjo Komarica, and Catholic believers in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad.

He pointed out that Catholic believers, as well as all other believers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will celebrate their biggest holidays and holy months in a completely different atmosphere due to the current situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Despite everything, he added, he sincerely hopes that Catholics will celebrate their biggest holiday, which signifies birth, hope, and new beginnings, surrounded by their families and in good health.

"Dear Bishop, I sincerely hope that the believers you lead, as well as all Catholics throughout our homeland, despite the fact that religious activities are reduced and movement is restricted, will celebrate this holiday in greater well-being and happiness than ever before. Aware of the fact that many citizens are unable to come to their homeland and spend the holiday in their homes and with their loved ones, I hope that this situation will bring all people closer, and that we will return to normal life as soon as possible as better and more aware people. That we will know more to appreciate the unique wealth that our homeland possesses. This holiday, which you are celebrating in extraordinary circumstances, is an opportunity for believers to return to the greatest values such as family, which is the basic and most important cell of society. Easter, as well as other holidays, are always an additional opportunity and obligation to help and support the most vulnerable, including Bosnian Catholic Croats living in the RS entity. They particularly need support during these holiday days. With sincere expectation that this holiday will bring you and all Catholic believers a better life, hope, peace, and happiness, I wish you a Happy Easter," Salkić's greeting reads.