Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 70 No. 3-4, 2000.
Pregledni rad
Possibilities of Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
Mato Zovkić
; Vrhbosanska katolička teologija, Sarajevo, Bosna i Hercegovina
Sažetak
In his Message for the New Year of 2000, on the International Day of Peace, John Paul II said that »for the Catholic faithful, the commitment to build peace and justice is not secondary but essential. It is to be undertaken in openness towards their brothers and sisters of other Churches and Ecclesiastical Communities, towards the followers of other religions, and towards all men and women of good will, with whom they share the same concern for peace and brotherhood« (n. 19). It is in this broader sense of dialogue that this author speaks of mutual relations between Catholics, Orthodox, Reformed Christians, Muslims and Jews in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina on the threshold of the third millennium.
a) Existing structures of dialogue range from Schools of Theology which in their curricula include ecumenism and world religions through periodicals, official Councils established by religious leaders up to NGO groups involved in inter-religious reconciliation and peace-building programs.
b) Historic merits of the majority Churches or religions sometimes conflict with legitimate expectations of minority religious communities in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Orthodox and Reformed Christians, Muslims and Jews discretely but firmly express their opinions that the Catholic Church of Croatia should practice more openness towards them and create in the minds and hearts of Catholics more room for the needs and problems of minority religion's citizens. Similar difficulties are experienced by Muslims and Catholics in Republika Srpska, Catholics and Orthodox in Central Bosnia, Orthodox and Muslims in West Herzegovina.
c) Αt the threshold of the third millennium the dialogue is possible and necessary in view of implanting spiritual values in a secular Europe. Churches separated from the Holy See, Judaism and Islam, according to recent documents of the Catholic Magisterium do cherish as institutions in their own followers an openness for the Absolute and educate them in spiritual values. Beside official and theological dialogue, there is also a dialogue of life, as proposed by the document Dialogo e Annucio of 1991. Believing communities and individuals in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina would like to make their respective countries members of the European family of nations in which secular structures remain but believing citizens are allowed and welcomed in adding a spiritual touch to the soul of Europe. The Magna Charta Ecumenica which is being prepared by KEK and CCEE includes such aspects of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue.
Ključne riječi
ecumenism; inter-religious dialogue; Church; Bosnia-Herzegovina; Croatia
Hrčak ID:
29328
URI
Datum izdavanja:
24.4.2001.
Posjeta: 2.478 *