Bosnia and Herzegovina

Support for the publication of the „Catholic Weekly“

The Croatian language „Catholic Weekly“ was first published in 1922 and so in 2022 it was able to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Though in actual fact it was not published continuously during this time, since in 1945 it was banned by the communists and was only able to be revived in 2002. It represents an important voice of the Catholic Church in this country, formerly part of communist Yugoslavia, where today Muslims, Orthodox and Catholics still live and rub shoulders together. It finds its way into some of the remotest areas of the country and is read not only by Catholics. Miroslav Cahar, the director of the Catholic media centre in the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, where the newspaper is published, reports that „much has happened during this time. There were many difficulties to endure, but we were also able to experience many graces of God.“

 Today, however, the major challenge facing the Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina is no longer communism but the ever encroaching Islamisation being pushed by some of the Arab states, along with the ongoing need to promote reconciliation between the various different religious and ethnic communities within the country, which are still bedevilled by the consequences of the Balkan wars back in the 1990s. Added to this is the general social and economic crisis facing the country. „In difficult times such as these, our newspaper can bring courage, consolation and enrichment to many people who find themselves alone, depressed and confused. As a voice speaking for us and about us, it is a sign that the Church here is still vital and alive“, Miroslav Cavar explains.

The „Catholic Weekly“ is published 50 times a year in a printing of 2500 copies. However, printing costs have risen as a result of the recent crisis.

And so, in order to prevent this important Catholic voice within Bosnia and Herzegovina from falling silent, we are offering to help with 30,000 Euros towards its publication costs.