Cardinal Puljic Must Vacate Residence-- Sarajevo Court Upholds Communist Decision: Croatia in an Uproar

(Sarajevo)  In the past 17th of November there was a final judgement by the Bosnian-Herzegovinan Federal Government in Sarajevo, has ordered the vacation of the residence of the Archbishop of Vrhbosna-sarajevo, Vinko Cardinal Puljuic, from the Episcopal Palace.  The residence, the property of the Curia, was confiscated in the past by the Communist regime, to house there Communist or Muslim spies, according to Corrispenza Romana.

During the Bosnian war the Cardinal was again in occupation of the residence.  Not just the residence, but the entire Palace was bugged with listening devices, including the bedroom of the Cardinal.  The widow and the other relatives of the last, Communist spy, who had continued to live in the residence and has died, complained to the court and demanded the return of the residence.  15 years after the reinstatement to the rightful owner, the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna-Sarajevo, the Federal Government of Sarajevo unexpectedly ruled in favor of the widow which was in transgression of every fundamental law.  On the 17th of November the court decided that the Archdiocese, which which had been stolen by the Communist regime and given to a Communist Agent, must now deliver it to his widow.  At the same time, the court has ordered Cardinal Puljic to leave the residence.  The Cardinal has stoutly replied that he will not leave the residence.

The Croatian Press in Bosnia, the Herzegovina and Croatians have been in an uproar since the judgment.  A wave of protest has gripped Croatia.  There are voices, who are speaking in preparation of a Croatian mass demonstration in Sarajevo, to which Croatians will come from all of their accustomed areas to gather in the Bosnian Capital.

This renewed attack on the Catholics of Croatia in Bosnia-Herzegovina are met with general silence by the  international community of nations, which holds Bosnia-Herzegovina in a protective status.  Cardinal Puljic protests to the high representatives of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Austrian diplomat Valentin Inzko, against the judgment.  The  Kärntner Slovene explained simply that it can do nothing.  A witness to the Cardinal's consequent discussion with a Slovenian Bishop along with Inzko has encouraged heavy condemnations to the UN-delegation and EU-special agent against this act of piracy.

Inzko works as the higher representative with plenary powers in Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Against every form of open rights violations or discriminating judgments he can intervene directly and immediately, and officially remove those responsible from their offices, be they civil servants, mayors, judges or even ministers.

These plenary powers are in any case never invoked in the case of decisions related to political questions, behind them the Muslim party of the Democratic Alliance (SDA) stands, as they are permitted by corresponding directives from the American Government.  The SDA is the strongest party in Bosnia since 1990 and has formed all of the governments.  The Catholic Croatians with some 17 percent are not only the smallest of the three Bosnia-Herzegovina populations and religious communities united by force, but they are certainly the most discriminated against.

(Corrispondenza Romana/Giuseppe Nardi, Bild: de.academic.ru)

Also reported on,  here. 

Translated from katholisces...