Croatia allocates funds for Catholic Church projects in Bosnia, Serbia, US
The Croatian Government will finance five projects of the Catholic Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the United States with €3.55 million, with the largest amount of €1.2 million allocated to the Diocese of Srijem.
It was stated at the signing ceremony at the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, CE Report quotes HINA.
The Central State Office for Croats Abroad signed support agreements for five strategic projects worth a total of €3.55 million, aimed at restoring sacred and cultural heritage and developing infrastructure for Croatian communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the United States.
The projects are mainly implemented through church institutions: the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, the dioceses of Mostar-Duvno and Trebinje-Mrkan, the Franciscan Monastery of St. Luke in Jajce, the Diocese of Srijem, and the Croatian Ethnic Institute in Chicago.
Largest allocation to the Diocese of Srijem
The largest amount, €1.2 million, was allocated to the Diocese of Srijem for the construction of the “Domus Dimitrianum” complex, while €950,000 is intended for the renovation of the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Sarajevo. Infrastructure projects for the dioceses of Mostar-Duvno and Trebinje-Mrkan are allocated €850,000, €300,000 for the restoration of the Franciscan monastery in Jajce, and €250,000 for projects of the Croatian Ethnic Institute in Chicago.
State Secretary Zvonko Milas said the agreements continue Croatia’s policy toward Croats outside the homeland, emphasizing that the projects are “not only infrastructural or financial, but deeply symbolic and social,” as they strengthen ties with Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and the diaspora.
Archbishop of Vrhbosna Tomo Vukšić thanked the Croatian Government and the Office for their support, saying that without it some projects “would not have been able to materialize.” Speaking about the restoration of the Church of St. Cyril and Methodius in Sarajevo, he added that the project is “entirely financed by the Croatian Government.”
“We are not left alone”
Bishop Petar Palić stressed that material assistance also carries a broader message for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina, showing that they “are not left behind and are not alone.”
Bishop of Srijem Fabijan Svalina spoke about the consequences of wars for Croats in Srijem, saying the support represents recognition and encouragement for the survival of the Croatian community.
Fra Nikola Pašalić thanked the support for the Croatian Ethnic Institute in Chicago, whose archival materials continue to be digitized to make them accessible to younger generations and researchers.
Guardian Fra Božidar Štrkalj said that the restoration of the monastery and church in Jajce represents more than a liturgical space for local Croats—it symbolizes “security, hope and continuity.”
According to available church statistics for 2022 and 2023, the dioceses covered by the projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia have around 381,000 Catholics, not including diaspora communities in the United States.
Photo Wikipedia
