ALESSANDRO D’ERRICO
“The Seal of Vecernji list” is recognition to the mission of the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina
February 28, 2011
Editorial board of Vecernji list, Bosnia and Herzegovina edition, chose Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina as the person most meritorious for promoting inter-religion dialogue
By Zoran Kresic
Archbishop Alessandro D’Errico, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina is a diplomat who spent his last five years in Bosnia and Herzegovina and who is indeed serving to this country, fighting for the interests of her people and working on building harmonious composition in which we Croats, Catholics would be in equal position with two other people. Editorial board of Vecernji list , chose Apostolic Nuncio to Bosnia and Herzegovina as the person most meritorious for promoting inter-religion dialogue and tolerance.
How did you feel when you received this recognition?
Firstly, I must express my gratitude to dear friends from Vecernji list for awarding me with this “Seal”. I am honored even more because Valentin Inzko, the High Representative to Bosnia and Herzegovina was the person who gave me this recognition. When Mr. Jozo Pavkovic asked me the other day if I am accepting this recognition, I told him that I have no other choice: I need to accept this because I think that it was not given to me personally, as much as to the mission and role of the Apostolic Nuncio in Bosnia and Herzegovina, on behalf of Holy See.
How do you feel when fruits of your work are recognized?
I am certainly glad when that happens. But this reward is another encouragement to move forward with same enthusiasm and eagerness. I would like to emphasize one thing; there are still many projects that we need to continue. That is why we hope to have support and understanding of all parties involved, as that had been the case in the last months, in order for those projects to have good and positive outcome.
Can you tell us something about the activities of the Apostolic Nunciature in the last few months?
Looking back at the year that had passed, I feel we had period of intensive activities and contacts, and thank God, there have been few concrete results. In a special way, I would like to emphasize the activities of Mixed Committee, signing and ratification of the Agreement for Military Ordinate, visit of Cardinal Bertone to Mostar, visits to Vatican of high officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina, appointing of two bishops, establishing of International Vatican Commission regarding phenomenon of Medjugorje.
How do you see your mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
This mission that Holy See entrusted to me five years ago is in a service of righteous peace, dialogue, religious freedom and dignity of human being. Holy Father Benedict XVI and other superiors of Catholic Church are frequently reminding me to that. We especially follow Catholic community and Croatian people here. Along with my associates, I am trying in the best way possible, within our possibilities, to completely achieve our mission. But, I need to say, as I already mentioned before, that ever since I first arrived to Bosnia and Herzegovina, I found availability in all levels as well as many people of good will. That makes our work much easier.
It seems that your task is still important…
Yes, this mission seems to be very important today when country faces period of crises, biggest after the war probably. Our hope and our invitation is for the healthy reasoning to prevail. That means that one has to find courage and be determined to discover anew genuine spirit of most authentic traditions of Bosnia and Herzegovina that was known in the past as a country of tolerance amongst people, civilizations and religions. Our hope and our invitation is for dialogue and understanding to prevail today, that people of Bosnia and Herzegovina may live in wellbeing.
