Ambassador Rooney on the steps of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Sarajevo

13 February 2007

Inter-Religious dialogue in Bosnia, February 13, 2007

Ambassador Rooney was joined by Vatican officials and the ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, and Morocco to the Holy See for a visit to Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on February 13. The group’s goal was to learn more about on-going initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina to promote inter-religious dialogue, in light of the Holy See 's and United States' interest in and work on the subject. Douglas McElhaney, the U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcomed the visitors and escorted them to a briefing with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Inter-religious Council (IRC), a group led by top representatives of the Jewish, Muslim, Roman Catholic, and Serbian Orthodox communities in the country. Council members discussed issues facing their respective communities and outlined initiatives the Council was working on for increased reconciliation and tolerance. Afterwards, His Eminence, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, who has met with Ambassador Rooney in Rome, hosted the entire group for a lunch at his residence. They discussed challenges and opportunities that faced Catholics and others in the region. After lunch, the group visited historic sites connected to each of the four faiths represented at the IRC, hearing about the history of each community in Sarajevo.

After the trip, Ambassador Rooney thanked his ambassadorial colleagues and the Holy See officials who had made the trip a success. “I was impressed by the work of the Inter-religious Council,” Ambassador Rooney said. “Efforts like these, inspired by a few dedicated leaders, are clearly helping the country and the various religious communities to overcome past trials and move confidently towards a united future. I look forward to continued collaboration on these issues with the Holy See and our friends in the region.”

Visitors from Rome and their hosts on the steps of the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Sarajevo

Luncheon at the residence of His Eminence, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Archbishop of Vrhbosna