- III -
TO CHURCH HEADS

September 1991 - March 1992
ATTACKS AGAINST CATHOLIC PRIESTS, NUNS, THEFAITH-FUL AND CHURCH BUILDINGS IN THE BANJA LUKA DIO­CESE

 BOSANSKA GRADIŠKA

21 September 1991, in the afternoon hours (15:30 - 18:45) -The parish presbytery of Bosanska Gradiška was ransacked and the parish priest and his staff were seriously physically attacked. As a result of his injuries, inflicted by persons in uniform, the priest was not able to conduct his duties for more than a month. Material damage was significant.
Four blameless Catholics were killed in the parish, even though they were not involved politically or militarily on any side. Two houses belonging to Catholics were mined and completely destroyed. 

NOVA TOPOLA

8 October 1991, at 3:40 hours - The parish church was shelled. A large hole was created on the steeple.
30 October 1991, at 23:10 hours - Two shells were fired at the parish church. A great deal of damage was done at the entrance to the church.
8 November 1991 - The subsidiary church in Ćelinovac was attacked. It was slightly damaged.
11 November 1991 -An armed attack was conducted on the convent in Nova Topola. The windows were damaged, whilst several days later the glass was completely smashed by stones.
The same day a hand grenade was thrown between the presbytery and the church.
14 December 1991 - Shots were fired from light weaponry at the entrance of the parish church.
27 December 1991 -At about 19:00 hours, heavy firing occurred around the convent. Several bullets hit the doors and windows.
All forms of weapons were fired on New Year's Eve around the convent. A wall 50 cm thick was pierced through.
21 February 1992 - Rifle fire was opened around the church and convent. Several bullets hit the convent. The same night two shells were fired at the church.
28 February 1992, at 18:30 hours - Stones were thrown and smashed the glass on the veranda of the convent.
1 March 1992 - 4 windows of the convent were smashed with stones.
5 March 1992 - Threats written on the walls of the farm buildings overnight.

 BOSANSKI ALEKSANDROVAC

18 September 1991, al 21:13 hours - Shots were fired at the convent building.
20 September 1991, about 21:30 hours - Rifle Ore and several tracer shells fired. The facade of the parish church damaged.
30 September 1991, about 17:00 hours - Three bullets were fired at the convent from an army truck on the Banja Luka - Bosanska Gradiška road. One bullet hit and pierced the door on the balcony.
2 October 1991, about 17:00 hours - The convent was shot at and a window was pierced. The same night at about 23:30 hours, heavy firing broke out around the convent and church. The walls and roof of the church and convent were damaged.
30 October 1991, about 22:00 and at 1:15 hours - The church was shot at. Several roof tiles and windows were damaged.
4 November 1991, about 21:00 hours - Firing began and continued until 0:30. The walls and windows of the church were damaged.
20 November 1991 - The church was fired at with tracer bullets. The facade of the church was damaged.
2 December 1991, at 16:00 hours - The church was shot at from a military column on the road towards Bosanska Gradiška. Several roof tiles were smashed on the church.
7 December 1991, about 23:00 hours - Rifle fire was heard. Some windows on the convent were smashed.
11 December 1991, at 21:35 hours - The presbytery where the parish priest resides was shot at. The facade of the church was damaged.
3 January 1992, at 23:10 hours - Several shots were fired and the facade of the presbytery was damaged.
8 February 1992 - The sisters found an unexploded shell next to the stable.
The faithful are constantly being threatened!

 MAHOVLJANI

23 September 1991, about 3:00 hours - Three explosive projectiles were fired at the parish church. Serious damages were caused to the recently renovated church. The windows on the presbytery shattered due to the explosion.

 TRN

24 October 1991, about 22:00 hours - Some twenty shots were fired at the church and presbytery. Some shots smashed the windows on the presbytery. Only with the luck of God was the parish priest not killed, a bullet scathed his ear. The facades on the church and presbytery were damaged.

 DOLINA

26 February 1992 - A house was set alight and Ilija Marinović was burnt to death. An autopsy revealed that he had previously been decapitated and his limbs cut off.
Three other houses belonging to Croat Catholics were mined and one person has gone missing with no explanation whatsoever.

 PRNJAVOR

18 January 1992, about 19:00 hours - Zdenko Čolić from Drenova was seriously physically abused. The attack took place not far from the local police station. As they beat him the culprits abused him calling him "Ustasha" and insulted him with derogatory language.
5 February 1992 - At the cemetery in Dolina some dozen crosses were desecrated.

 GLAMOČ

During the night between 31 December 1991 and 1 January 1992 - Two windows were smashed on the upper level of the church.
24 February 1992, at about 15:40 hours -A military reserve soldier for no reason at all killed the local doctor, Alojzije Kelava. His only "guilt" was that he was actively involved in preparations for the referendum which was being organised by the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
A helicopter from Knin came to pick up the murderer.

 Forwarded to:
The Secretariat of the Bishops' Conference - Zagreb

Letter to Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, Archbishop of Zagreb
(Prot. no: 285/92 dated 20 April 1992)
REV. ZVONIMIR MATIJEVIĆ, GLAMOČ PARISH PRIEST, SE­RIOUSLY PHYSICALLY MALTREATED WAITING TO BE EX­CHANGED IN THE KNIN HOSPITAL

Your Eminence!
According to information just received, despite the promises of the authorities in Glamoč that nothing would happen to him, a Banja Luka priest acting as the parish priest in Glamoč, Father Zvonimir Matijević was abducted on 12 April 1.992 (Palm Sunday) and taken to Knin by members of the Knin corps. He is apparently located in the Knin military hospital in a serious condition. 

In the serious attack on his person he received several fractures to the arms, his lungs are bleeding internally and he has sustained several other injuries. According to the same sources, the army is willing to release him in exchange for a pilot who was captured by Croatian forces during his air attack on Kupres and Tomislavgrad. They are also requesting the release of their Orthodox priests - the Patriarchs of Kupres and Tomislavgrad who are allegedly being held captive. Belgrade Television, however, announced that these priests had fled to safety before the bombardment commenced.

 If these priests are truly in captivity, I appeal to you to arrange for an exchange so that we may save the life of our priest. I ask and appeal to all the competent leaders to undertake measures so that this innocent priest, Father Matijević may be released as soon as possible. 

I am sincerely grateful in advance for any assistance you may offer!

+ FRANJO KOMARICA
Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter from the Bishop to the President of the BC, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić
(Prot. no: 16/92 dated 27 April 1992)
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO ATTEND THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE BISHOPS' CONFERENCE FROM 27 TO 29 APRIL 1992

Your Eminence!
Even though I recently announced my coming to the next sitting of the Bishops' Conference, new circumstances in my diocese and our state of B-H have unfortunately rendered this impossible.
All the roads out of Banja Luka are currently blockaded and it is not possible for me to pass through this siege. In addition, the daily armed disturbances against priests and our nuns require my constant intervention with the official authorities in the municipalities of this region which I have attempted to at least contact by phone. Last night - during the night between Sunday and Monday - a bomb attack was carried out at the convent and parish church in Bosanski Aleksandrovac, as well as in the parish of Presnače near Banja Luka, thank God, without any serious repercussions. The people, nuns and some of our priests are evidently disturbed. I am doing everything I can to calm the very tense situation. Because of the complete siege we are faced with, an entire section of the faithful from my diocese is not in a position to flee to anywhere. They await each new day with anxiety and hope.
In addition to the armed attacks on several church buildings and the abuse of priests and nuns, the most serious case has been the attack on the pariah priest in Glamoč, namely, Father Zvonimir Matijević was abducted by the army from his demolished presbytery, was physically abused and is currently in the intensive care unit in the Knin military hospital. There he is awaiting to be exchanged as soon and in which ever way is possible.
Your Eminence, I am sincerely sorry that I will not be able to participate in the next Synod of the BC. I wish you many gifts of the Holy Spirit for a fruitful and constructive discussion about the future of the Church in this part of our continent. To our brothers in the episcopacy from the free Republic of Slovenia, as well as all those who have been members of the Bishops' Conference of Yugoslavia and who we will no longer see at future gatherings, I forward my sincere gratitude for the long term brotherly support and co-operation they offered. I am convinced that we will meet in the future at least on an individual basis. I also assure you that the roads to and from Banja Luka, God willing, will once again be open and ties which are temporarily disrupted will once again be established.
Therefore I hope that at the next sitting of our newly formed Synod of the Bishops' Conference, which will include the Diocese of Banja Luka and its bishop, I will be able to attend and to that I am already looking forward.
Your Eminence, once again please accept my expressions of my sincere and brotherly bond with you. I also ask that you relay these same feelings to all my brothers in the episcopacy who have managed to come to this session of the Synod of the BC in Zagreb.
I heartily greet you my brothers in the name of the resurrected Christ!

+ FRANJO KOMARICA
Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Archbishop of Vrhbosna
(Prot. no: 406/92 dated 21 May 1992)
 ARMED ATTACK ON THE CONVENT IN BOSANSKI ALEK­SANDROVAC

Dear Vinko!
I am writing to you as you asked me. Firstly let me give you additional information about your parish priest Kudić of Doboj and the sisters "Servants of the Little Jesus" in Doboj:
1. According to Sr Oliva Svetinović, who managed to come to Banja Luka, as of Sunday 17 May, the parish priest was still in his residence in Doboj which was partially damaged by shelling and fire. However, it is still stable enough to use at least some of its rooms and can be lived in if necessary. The remaining four sisters moved in with him after their convent was demolished by armed persons on 12 May. The sisters were told they would be taken away in a fortnight. Sr Oliva fears that they could be taken away to Ozren to care for the wounded there.
We managed to put her on a plane to Belgrade according to her own wishes so that she could travel on to their convent in Gerestried. We hope she succeeded.
2. Regarding the armed attack in Bosanski Aleksandrovac last night, I have enclosed a copy of a report written by Sr Maristela. I personally saw the broken door, smashed glass of the windows, the broken table and chairs on the balcony, and some slight damage to the facade, as well as some broken roof tiles on the house and church.
After my return I stopped in to see the Chief-of-police in Laktaši who had already been to see the sisters before me. There I submitted a sharp protest against this latest incident against a community of elderly and ill nuns.
The sisters convinced me and before me the police, that the culprits were mostly known to the official bodies including the police in Laktaši, which the police themselves do not deny. These same officials repealed their promises that they would put an end to the attacks on our sisters and the remaining few Catholics in the region.
It is a fact that these excesses are continuously being repeated and this has been the case for the past nine months. The community of sisters, which has been located in Bosanski Aleksandrovac for the past 100 years despite the rough and inhuman treatment, wish to stay on and have full confidence in the protection of the Church and official authorities. I am doing everything I can and will continue to do so, to protect these Innocent and worthy sisters of our Banja Luka Diocese.
Dear Vinko, I thank you for your consideration and concern for us despite your greater hardships and problems. May God give you strength and peace!
My regards to you and all those around you!

+ Bishop FRANJO KOMARICA

 P.S. If you consider it worthwhile, please advise those necessary, as once again I am not in a position to do so.

Letter from the Bishop to the Provincial Administrator of the sisters of the "Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ"
(Prot. no: 36/92 dated 1 June 1992)
POLICE INSPECTED CONVENT IN BOSANSKI ALEKSAN­DROVAC

Most respected Sister!
In memorandum no: 35/92 dated 31 May 1992, I advised the General Advisor, Sr Bernarda Kristić of the latest events connected to the convent in Bosanski Aleksandrovac.
Now I wish to inform you about the implementation of conclusions drawn by yesterday's agreement between the local authorities represented by the local community representative of Bosanski Aleksandrovac and the sisters' community and the Banja Luka Diocese on the other side.
The inspection of the convent and the parish buildings was conducted today between 13:00 and 14:30 hours by representatives of the police force of Banja Luka and Laktaši in the presence of three representatives of the local population, as well as the Convent Mother Superior, Sr Maristela, the convent's treasurers, Sr Regina and Sr Salezija who arrived later and the Diocesan Chancellor, Dr M. Aničić and myself the undersigned.
Upon my insistence, everything was soundly inspected. The assigned officers conducted the inspection very precisely and correctly except that - as men - they entered each individual room and searched it, albeit with great respect. I informed them that we were making a huge exception in this case since men were under no circumstances allowed to enter the sisters' quarters. They apologised as they were not aware of this rule and I - in agreement - let it go at that in order not to create a volatile situation.
Once the inspection had been completed, a report was drawn up which was signed by the Chief, two other officials, including the three witnesses on behalf of the local population, as well as the Mother Superior and myself. A copy of the report remained with us.
With apologies and an easing of the atmosphere they left after being offered refreshments of course. Once again they confirmed that, as far as they were concerned, the sisters could be sure that everything would be done in their power to prevent further provocation and we agreed to lei this information be released to the public.
Let us hope that the situation will be better from now on. I thank you for your prayers and send my regards!

 + Bishop FRANJO

Letter to Sr Bernarda Kristić, General Advisor of the "Sisters of the Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ"
(Prot. no: 443/92 dated 8 June 1992)
"WITH ALL MY MIGHT I WISH TO PRESERVE THE LIVES AND PROPERTY OF OUR COMMUNITIES"

Respected Sr Bernarda!
Following my telephone conversation with you this evening, I forward you this written memo containing all the necessary information with regard to your sisters in Bosanski Aleksandrovac (as well as Nova Topola and Bosanska Gradiška), as you yourself requested.
I have already advised the Provinciality in Zagreb, as well as the Papal Nunciature in Belgrade, about the turn of events in the dramatic situation and the violent attempt to evict the sisters from the convent in Bosanski Aleksandrovac. I have enclosed a copy of this letter as well.
In addition to the recent memo, I wish to emphasise that the main motive for the eviction of the sisters is the desire of several soldiers, whose return from the front lines in western Slavonia is expected in the near future, to move into the convent and to confiscate its property. This fact which has not been denied by the local authorities in Laktaši has especially irritated myself and the Episcope, Mr Jefrem when we spoke to the authorities.
When speaking about the current situation I can repeat the assurances of the local authorities: Dr Jović; the Chief-of-police, Mr Dobrijević; the Head of the Criminal police, Mr Jovičić, who led the recent inspection of the convent; the president of the local community council and territorial defence, Mr Vujičić; the president of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, Mr Glamočanin and a few other official representatives of the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, whose names I do not know, that the sisters will no longer be disturbed and that they can continue to peacefully live in their convent.
Similar guarantees have been given to me by the Chief-of-police in Bosanska Gradiška, Mr Vesić on behalf of the municipal authorities in Bosanska Gradiška concerning the sisters in Nova Topola and Bosanska Gradiška who have not, let the truth be known, been exposed to such serious threats and abuse as the sisters in Aleksandrovac.
In a discussion I held, together with the Banja Luka Episcope, Mr Jefrem and the Mufti of Banja Luka, Mr Halilović, on 6 June 1992, with the President of the Town Council in Banja Luka, Mr Radić and the Commander of the 1st Krajina Corps, General-major Talić, I relayed amongst other current problems the need to ensure the security of the community of sisters belonging to your order in that region (especially in Bosanski Aleksandrovac, Topola and Gradiška). Both officials, especially General Talić repeated their promises that nothing would occur to the sisters.
I am holding each of the above-named officials to their word and I told them so. I told them that I would inform the General Administration of the Order of those recent events as well as the Holy See. With all my might I wish to preserve the lives and property of our communities in this region, using any means possible to calm the war fever. I will motivate peaceful initiatives, whoever suggests them.
May you all be assisted by the Holy Lord as you have been until now, so that we can avoid the destruction of war and the killing of innocent people. In that aim, I continue to pray for your prayers and for the prayers of our dear sisters of the Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ. Blessed is the Blood of Christ!
Respectfully yours and with blessings, I remain loyal to you in Christ

 + FRANJO KOMARICA,
Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, President of the Bishops' Conference
(Prot. no: 444/92 dated 8 June 1992)
 I AM TOTALLY BLOCKADED AND CANNOT LEAVE!

 Your Eminence!
I discovered, albeit unofficially, that the Bishops of the Church amongst Croats are to have their sitting with You in Zagreb. I believe that you still consider me a member of your episcopacy, however, it is not at all possible for me to leave due to the complete blockade of all roads. This is probably the reason I did not receive an official invitation to come lo the sitting.
I take the liberty to turn to you in this written form to wish you all an abundance of God's blessings and the manifold gifts of the Holy Spirit for a most fruitful session in trying to resolve the current problems faced by our local Church. I will serve mass with this intention on Tuesday 9 June this year.
We will only be more concretely and effectively able to discuss the future participation in the work of the Bishops' Conference of Croatia when I am able to meet with you myself, or more precisely, when this war madness is over and our people can return to their homes.
The situation in my diocese has, thank God, not been as destructive as that faced by the Sarajevo and Mostar dioceses, except in a few parishes or rather deaneries such as Prnjavor, Jajce and Prijedor. I am doing everything I can, together with my priests and nuns, to calm the situation in the field amongst the truly frightened and sincerely empty handed population. I am in constant contact with Episcope Jefrem of Banja Luka and the Mufti, Mr Halilović and this, thank God, has its positive effects. The Episcope has undertaken himself especially on our behalf to calm the dramatic situation regarding the violent eviction of our sisters from the convent in Bosanski Aleksandrovac.
After his return from the Synod in Belgrade, he, amongst other things, said to me, that His Holiness, Patriarch Pavle especially requested all his Episcopes "to maintain contact with the Catholic bishops wherever possible", and that "they expect a lot from their sister Catholic Church to help them in these difficult moments of reconciliation and mutual healing of the deep war wounds on both sides".
I still have no knowledge about the abducted priest from Dragalovci, Father Marko Šalić who recently suffered a serious heart attack only to be abducted a week ago and his whereabouts are unknown. Despite all my interventions, I still have no reliable information about him. Gob forbid the worst! We are all in God's hands! I ask that you include us in your prayers as well as in your acts of mercy because there are many of us who are truly in need of God's and human assistance. Help us to help those around us! And may God be praised in all our actions!
Your Eminence, I thank you once again for your fatherly and brotherly care for our Banja Luka Church (which largely belonged to the Zagreb Archdiocese throughout our history). I also sincerely greet you and through you all those brothers in the Episcopacy gathered around you, especially His Excellency, the Papal Nuncio to Zagreb, whom I have not had the honour to meet. I have heard, however, of his great love towards us all. Faithfully yours in our Lord!

+ FRANJO, Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Sr Tarzicija Medven, Provincial Head, Zagreb
(Prot. no: 464/92 dated 23 June 1992)
THE DRAMATIC SITUATION OF THE SISTERS OF THE ADORERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST AT THE CONVENT IN NOVA TOPOLA 

Respected Sr Tarzicija!
Due to complete blockade it is has only been made possible now for me to submit to you my report about the unpleasant event which occurred a few days ago in the convent of your sisters and ours in Nova Topola.
1. On Tuesday 16 June 1992, about 9:30 hours, four armed and uniformed persons came into the yard of the convent and parish yard in Nova Topola. A sister who happened to be in the yard at the time was demanded to tell them where the parish priest was. She showed them the presbytery and they left her there. After they banged on the door, the priest answered and they look him to their car and drove him towards the village of Laminci.
They immediately advised me of this and I accordingly advised the police in Banja Luka and Bosanska Gradiška. I immediately set off for Topola where I visited the police station in Topola, the sisters (who were quite frightened) in the convent and the Mayor of Bosanska Gradiška. No one knew who or why they had taken the priest. I demanded that they find the priest and that the sisters receive special protection. I received promises to this effect both in Topola and Bosanska Gradiška. I visited the sisters once again and advised them of everything I had found out from the appropriate authorities. I wanted to take the two youngest sisters, Sr Antonija and Sr Marija, with me. They and their Superior did not agree to this as they considered there was no reason for it and they wished to remain with the other sisters in their community. I informed Sr Salezija in Budžak of all these events that same evening.
2. On Wednesday about 16:30 hours, Sr Salezija, the provincial advisor, came to me quite traumatised and told me that she had just come from the convent in Nova Topola where a group of four armed soldiers, apparently the "White Eagles", had violently broken in at about 22:00 hours the night before. They proceeded to mentally and physically abuse the sisters for several hours. The sisters were quite frightened and afraid to await another night there. I immediately set off for the police station in Banja Luka, accompanied by Sr Salezija and reported the incident, as well as informing the Crisis Headquarters, then the police in Nova Topola and the sisters and police station in Gradiška, seeking immediate protection for the sisters or rather an escort while they be transferred to Banja Luka. After an intervention by the Banja Luka Police, I was given a guarantee by the police in Gradiška and Topola that nothing would happen to the sisters that night because they would arrange for them to be guarded. I remained with the sisters myself as did Sr Salezija. The sisters had calmed down somewhat (the two youngest, Sr Marija and Sr Antonija had already been taken to Budžak by Sr Salezija that afternoon).
3. On Thursday morning together with Srs. Salezija and Dominika, the Mother Superior, 1 went to the Chief-of-police in Bosanska Gradiška, Mr Vesić and relayed my horror, displeasure and protest. He apologised and promised that he would immediately undertake measures for the culprits to be brought to order and for extra protection for the sisters and the convent.
Since it was the Feast of Corpus Christi (as well as that of the Trinity) we held a mass in the Topola church, where the sisters have an extraordinary spirit and strength to continue their acts of good will with faith in Christ even to the point of martyrdom.
That afternoon I once again went to ask for extra protection for the sisters from the local police station and was once again promised affirmatively. I then returned to Topola to spend the night for security's sake. Sr Salezija, Sr Dominika and I considered what to do with the community and whom to leave the convent to.
4. On Friday morning we were already in Banja Luka again and spoke to the chiefs of the entire region, Messrs. S. Župljanin and S. Marković and received assurances, admittedly weakly from the former and strongly from the latter. We were in a hurry to meet with the Mayor of Bosanska Gradiška, Mr N. Ivaštanin to whom we lodged our protests against the loathsome act committed by these armed person at the convent, an area under his jurisdiction. We demanded the most effective protection for the sisters and their property. He also expressed his deep regret for the two serious incidents in N. Topola - the abduction of the parish priest and the abuse of the sisters-by (as the sisters said) the same people and he promised maximum involvement of the municipal authorities (the police, territorial defence and military corps) to uncover the culprits of these unfortunate incidents.
5. On Saturday (due to Holy Confirmation in another parish) our diocesan treasurer, Rev. B. Pruch went with Sr Salezija to the convent in Nova Topola where he was present at the official questioning of the sisters concerning the distressing incident conducted by the representative of the regional Centre for National Security, the Chief-of-police in Bosanska Gradiška, Mr Vesić and the head of the Bosanska Gradiška Territorial Defence.
That afternoon I visited the convent myself where we once again discussed the "fate" of our sisters - in light of your reaction, of which we were advised via the General courier in Rome and the Nuncio in Belgrade. We decided to speak to the Banja Luka Orthodox Bishop who was quite disturbed by the news. He recommended to try and obtain an additional assurance from the military, i.e. General Talić, Commander of the 1st Krajina Corps who had already assured us that the army would not bother the sisters.
The already mentioned "trio", as representatives of the police, offered their assurances to the sisters that they could be calm because they would be specially guarded, particularly at night.
To date, (Tuesday 23 June) no one has bothered the sisters.
6. Last night while visiting the Episcopal Residence and speaking with Mr Jefrem in a two hour discussion with General-Major Talić, I reported the difficult circumstances in the convents in Nova Topola and Bosanski Aleksandrovac and the general situation faced by Catholics in this region. The Episcope, Mr Jefrem confirmed many of my statements. The General listened carefully and ex­pressed his displeasure at everything that had occurred to these "innocent sisters in these two convents". He offered us both assurances that he would use all the means in his power, including armed defence, to prevent any abuse against the sisters and any attempts to evict them from their convent. He promised to put this in writing so that I could accordingly forward it to your Administra­tion.
Mr Jefrem's feelings and mine personally are that the General and his army will be able to put an end to any paramilitary groups from threatening the security of civilians in the region. With regard to your directions concerning the sisters which I received via Rome, I advise that even before we received your advice all the younger sisters had been transferred to Budžak, or rather the Bishop's Ordinary. Sisters in parishes outside Banja Luka cannot leave their municipalities! They more or less say though that their regions are fairly calm. This is true for Šimići, Prnjavor and the town of Bosanska Gradiška.
Respected Sr Tarzicija, God himself is with us during the misfortune s of this war! He creates true giants out of the weak, ready to be sacrificed in the name of love and forgiveness! The happy and blessed Order, our diocese and Church which has sisters such as those in Nova Topola and Bosanski Aleksandrovac as well as this entire region. I am doing what I can for them and God even more so!
 My deepest respects and regards! Yours truly,

+ Bishop FRANJO

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 493/92 dated 6 July 1992)
"WE CARRY THE DEATH OF JESUS IN OUR BODIES"

Your Excellency!
In the hope that we will soon at least establish telephone contact between Banja Luka and Belgrade, I wish to briefly describe the current situation in my diocese of Banja Luka.
With each day the situation in the region of the Bosanska Krajina, where my diocese is situated, is more difficult. As far as reliable sources indicate, the population of the Prijedor and Jajce deaneries is partially in refugee camps while the remainder has been forcefully expelled. Their parish priests are faced with just as difficult a situation together with their faithful as we have faced. It is especially difficult in the three Kotor Varoš parishes where due to the mixed population (Muslim) battles are under way. According to news on the local radio station, many houses have been burnt and we fear that a great number of people have suffered the unspeakable. In the past ten days I have been receiving reliable information from only one-quarter of my diocese. Four priests have been abducted and their fate is unknown: Marko Šalić from Dragalovci, Ratko Grgić from Nova Topola, Stipo Šošić from Ljubija and Friar Juro Stipić from Stratinska. I have had no news about fourteen parish priests, for some time now. I hope they are alive i.e. that they are with their faithful with whom they share their destiny. I asked if I could be allowed to visit at least some of the war stricken regions; this was denied to me by the military and civil authorities. I also requested, on several occasions, that they allow me to discover the fate of my priests and their faithful. Unfortunately, there was no understanding to be found.
In the parishes in the immediate vicinity of Banja Luka (there are 10 of them) thank God, it is mostly calm. The people are living in fear of a possible great calamity. For now, however, there is just no way out and they cannot go anywhere. With regard to the convent of the "Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ", the situation is still unclear and entirely unsure, following several serious incidents, especially in the Nova Topola convent on 16 June 1992, when Father Ratko Grgić was abducted and four armed, uniformed persons abused 22, mostly elderly, sisters. I have tried everything with the local and regional authorities, both civil and military, to ensure the security of the sisters. Unfortunately, despite all the assurances, even by General M. Talić, the Commander of the 1st Krajina Corps, that the army would take care and protect both convents, on the night between 27 and 28 June, one of the farm buildings was set alight in the Nova Topola convent. In the meantime, in agreement with the Mother Superior, I have tried to transfer all the sisters, (about one hundred), from the region of the Bosanska Krajina or rather the Banja Luka Diocese to safety in Zagreb, Croatia. Despite all my attempts, I have not succeeded in doing so as yet. Recently, I have made several interventions accompanied by the Orthodox Bishop, Mr Jefrem with various institutions in an effort to protect the sisters in the convent. I am scheduled to speak to them again on 8 July in Bosanska Gradiška, where I am to meet with the local authorities about obtaining greater security so that the sisters may be able to remain in their 100 year old convent in Nova Topola and also their convent in Bosanski Aleksandrovac. I must emphasise that the Episcope, Mr Jefrem has very willingly shown his readiness, despite all the hardships, to help us wherever he can. This is truly a praiseworthy gesture and inspires us, Catholic bishops, to undertake everything necessary to help our sister Orthodox Church, especially in the Republic of Croatia or rather where Catholics are in the majority.
Most eminent Excellency, if this brief report about the current very painful situation faced by my diocese reaches you, please know this: we are conscious that it is necessary for us to struggle and sustain "adversus principatus, adversus potestates, adversus mundi rectores tenebrarum harum, adversus spiritalia nequitiae in celestibus" (Eph 6:12)! "In omnibus tribulationem patimur, sed non angustiamur; aporiamur, sed non destituimur; persecutionem patimur, sed non derelinquimur, deicimur, sed non perilous: mortificationem Iesu in corpore circumferentes, ut el vita Iesu in corpore nostro (el vita nostra) manifestetur." (2 Cor 4:8-10).
-OREMUSPROINVICEM!
With deepest respects yours in Christ

+ FRANJO KOMARICA,
Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 501/92 dated 8 July 1992)
"MAY THE HEAVENLY FATHER BE CELEBRATED THROUGH THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST'S FAITHFUL HERE"

Most eminent Excellency!
In my memo no: 493/92 dated 6 July 1992, I relayed some of the most vital details about the current situation in the major part of my diocese. Thank God I have been able to send the report to you via Telefax.
Together with the Banja Luka Episcope, Mr Jefrem I went to visit the Mayor of Bosanska Gradiška, Mr Nebojša Ivaštanin today. In discussions which lasted for over two hours, we paid special attention to the unresolved fate of the sisters of the "Adorers of the Precious Blood", in the convent in Nova Topola, which is situated in the Municipality of Bosanska Gradiška. We discussed the misfortunes inflicted on the parishioners in Dolina, Bosanska Gradiška and Nova Topola by uniformed gangs and persons.
This was my fourth conversation with the Mayor in the past three weeks concerning the fete of the sisters, the convent in Nova Topola, the Catholics of this region and of course of the fate of our priests from this region. Mr Jefrem, the Orthodox Bishop of Banja Luka, repeated his concern and regret at the "evident crime against the parish priest and the sisters" in Nova Topola. He naturally condemned these actions most decisively and together with myself, asked that the legitimate authorities undertake measures to protect the sisters in their convent, the priests and innocent faithful. Mayor Ivaštanin repeated that there were many armed Serbs in the region of his municipality who come not only from his municipality but from elsewhere. At the same time, there are also large numbers of refugees from other regions who are waging their own private war and committing acts of revenge despite the official authorities. He expressed his regret at the incident in Nova Topola, but he could not offer total security and peace even though he sincerely wanted to. For now, by order of General Talić, the Commander of the 1st Krajina Corps of the (Serbian) army, the sisters in Nova Topola and Bosanski Aleksandrovac are being guarded, but we do not know for how long!
There are no serious disturbances to the peace of the sisters in either of the convents. The Mayor once again promised (!) that he would be in touch with the army, (i.e. the army leaders) so that should the army leave, he could undertake the appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the sisters and their convents.
I once again did not receive complete assurances for the security and future of the sisters and their convent, because it seems that neither the mayor nor anyone else is in a position to do so! It seems that in some segments complete anarchy is reigning and in others dictatorship. As far as we Catholics are concerned, we have truly been left to God's mercy and protection! We have no other legal protection! Every day we are experiencing horrific abuse, torture, detention, killing without any court or evidence of guilt. This is happening to our faithful, clergy, sisters, priests even to myself personally. Raids and looting occur in our convents, monasteries, presbyteries, even in the Bishop's Ordinary, all carried out by various gangs one after the other. I am doing everything I can to calm the situation amongst my faithful, sisters, priests, who are constantly being provoked, abused and have no protection. They have been stripped of their basic human rights, often enough their right to life, almost surely their right to work, the right to a home, or to express their religious affiliation, the right to their own religious, cultural and national identity. Despite all my demands, appeals and interventions forwarded to date, to both the military and civil authorities I still have no reliable information about the fate of the priests: Marko Šalić, parish priest from Dragalovci, Ratko Grgić, parish priest in Nova Topola, Stipe Šošić, parish priest from Ljubija, Friar Jure Stipić, parish priest from Stratinska, Vlado Tomić, parish priest from Sasina, Adolf Višaticki, parish priest and Dean from Vrbanjci, Friar Ivo Franjić, parish priest from Kotor Varoš, Friar Mate Pranjić, chaplain in Kotor Varoš, Friar Tomo Buljan, parish priest from Sokolina, Ante Marijan, parish priest from Liskovica. I will continue to tirelessly search for them and insist on finding out their fate, if their lives are in danger (if they have not already been killed!) and help them as soon as possible.
In the total blockade in which we find ourselves in, I am unable to get in touch with any international organisation which would intercede on behalf of these priests.. (...)
I know that the church in Kotor Varoš was burnt, as well as the one in Liskovica and the subsidiary churches in Donja Ravska, Kozarac and Bosanska Krupa. I am not sure about some other churches, however, I fear that they too have experienced the same fate. Some churches and presbyteries have been damaged but I cannot obtain proper information (nor am I able to visit them myself or to contact them by phone) and so cannot know their exact details.
Despite there not being any war destruction in the inner and wider Banja Luka region, there is tremendous fear reigning amongst our faithful who have been completely stripped of their rights. They fear mass extinction or even expulsion from their ancient hearths. Unfortunately, that fear is not without cause because this has already happened in many places in the surrounding area! I am using all my might to minimise the fear and calm the situation. I hope and pray to the Lord to preserve us from even worse war destruction and complete annihilation and indeed pray for any possible way to enable a quiet coexistence for the peoples of this region.
Respected Eminence, receive my thanks for your fatherly concern for us and my entire diocese. Your concern and prayers give us the necessary energy not to fail in our noble efforts to prevent evil and sin from taking a hold of His Church. May the heavenly Father be praised amongst our people, in our homeland and may we find God's kingdom: the kingdom of truth, justice, love, forgiveness and peace!
With my deepest respects, I sincerely greet Your Eminence, as well as all your worthy associates. Faithfully yours in Christ.

 FRANJO KOMARICA,
Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 551/92 dated 2 August 1992)
"I WILL DO EVERYTHING TO PROTECT MY PRIESTS AND THE FAITHFUL"

 Most eminent Excellency!
I once again write to you in the hope that my report will eventually be received by you.

1. Yesterday, 1 August 1992, I went with two priests to the Sasina parish, where I was to celebrate the sacrament of Holy Confirmation. Somewhere in the hills about 25 km from Banja Luka our vehicle was confiscated by uniformed military persons. Upon my insistence we were returned to Banja Luka. We had all the necessary approval to travel, yet we were seriously abused all the way back. I reported this to the military police in Banja Luka, emphasising that this was a serious incident. They apologised and offered us an escort to the site of the incident where we looked for the confiscated vehicle. It was then returned to us after an order was issued by the military police. We then continued our journey to Sasina with their escort, to visit the parish priest who along with his faithful is living in great fear of a massacre. The parish priest and his faithful wish to save their bare lives and re-settle anywhere in Croatia! In Sasina I saw the parish priest from the neighbouring town of Sanski Most and heard his sorrowful report about his parish where the Dean of Stara Rijeka, Ilija Arlović, had been seriously abused and is currently located in detention in Sanski Most with a large number of his faithful. I expressed my desire to visit him, however, this was not allowed.

2. At my insistence, I managed today to meet with the Commander of the 1st Krajina Corps of the Serbian army, General-Major Momir Talić. I spoke to him for over an hour about the problems which I had submitted to him previously in writing (I have enclosed a copy for your information). It was a constructive conversation, during which he assured me that I would be peacefully escorted and allowed to visit all my parishes and priests about whom I do not have any reliable information. He advised me that others were responsible for deciding the future of the Catholic Church in this region. He nevertheless hoped that everything would be over very soon and ascertained that he was against any forceful re-settlement. He also told me that he had difficulties with various armed gangs who were completely out of control, but that he was attempting to create order and establish fundamental rights, despite this task being very difficult.
He assured me once again of his help with the delivery of food and medicines from Zagreb, organised by our diocesan Caritas. He left an impression of a humane person who sincerely wished to help as much as was within his power. He also assured me that he would once again try to have the detained priests released as soon as possible. God grant! I will not stop with my demands until all this has been realised! 

3. As a first step towards implementing the General's promises in practice, I asked to immediately be allowed to visit the Kotor Varoš parish. Escorted by the military police, I headed off with two other priests and a nun from the Kotor Varoš parish (Sr Ksaverija), as well as our host, Friar Ivan Franjić who was recuperating from a beating he had received in my presence in the Bishop's residence. We also took some food in our Caritas van. I saw that the new parish church had been burnt, also some fifty houses belonging to Catholics along the main road, what a sad sight! I spoke to the chaplain in Kotor Varoš, Friar Mate Pranjić who had remained in the town the entire time and who reported that virtually 1,000 had fled from the town while another two thousand were preparing to leave any day! In the parish of Vrbanjci, we found the Dean Adolf Višaticki, who, thank God, was still alive, despite being caught up in the middle of two waning sides. He was only slightly beaten and his church and home had been looted. I also heard good news that our theologians, Marko Vidović and Ivan Grgić were still alive. The entire parish is in fear and panic - having fled to the hills or rather the residents are leaving their entire belongings and fleeing where they can in the world as refugees. Both in Vrbanjci and Kotor Varoš, I requested the military and civil authorities to guarantee the population their security, not to detain them and not to allow killing and destruction, for the people were guilty of nothing! Great panic and fear of complete extinction is rife amongst the remaining Catholic population and it is of great value that the priests, despite the danger to their own lives, are still with them! I will do what I can in the next few days to protect these priests and their people!

4. I received news today that the parish church and presbytery in Kulaši was mined as was the Greek-Catholic Church in Prnjavor. Tomorrow, I will try and see for myself what damage has been done and will take care of the parish priest and the faithful!

- Your Eminence, pray for us, it means a lot to us! Thank you for everything! I will write again as soon as I am able!

 With all my respects - Yours in our Lord,
+ FRANJO KOMARICA, Bishop

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot no: 559/92 dated 3 August 1992)
"I SUCCEEDED IN VISITING A FEW PARISHES!"

Most eminent Excellency!
Today, together with my Vicar-General, Dr Ante Orlovac, and Chancellor, Dr Milenko Aničić, I visited the Mayor of Banja Luka, Mr Predrag Radić. I submitted a written report explaining our concerns due to the difficult circumstances and unsure future of the Catholic population in our municipality. (I have enclosed a copy of that report as Appendix no: 1!).
I had a long and open conversation with Mr Radić. He showed some understanding for our thoughts and readiness to enable all citizens the same rights as well as our struggle against any form of violence and injustice. He once again emphasised the great contribution of this same Catholic population towards the municipality, during the period of relative peace hi the region. He replied to my written questions in writing himself after consultation with other responsible politicians, "because he did not wish to give any promises which he could not later fulfil".
After that we were escorted by the military police of the Banja Luka Corps - which was offered to us after our vehicle was confiscated not far from Banja Luka on Saturday, by a group of uniformed persons who threatened to kill us. I managed to visit the parishes of Prnjavor, Kulaši and Dragalovci, as well as the Greek-Catholic church which had been mined and reduced to rubble! The current situation is indeed sorrowful and has been briefly described by Father Petar Ovad, the parish priest and Dean of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina (see Appendix no: 2!). I promised him that 1 would not forget them, even more so, because they have no contact whatsoever with their bishop in Zagreb, Msgr Miklavš. In the parish of Kulaši, the Roman Catholic church was mined at the same time as the church in Prnjavor. The night before, the presbytery was damaged by an explosive device. - Neither in that parish nor in Prnjavor, were there any armed conflicts. The church was mined for "no reason at all". The people are living in great fear. When I visited them, some 200 men, women and children gathered, and were crying, asking me to protect them! The parish priest, Nikica Lozančić was rudely attacked by the Chief-of-police in Prnjavor when he came to report that his church had been mined! I prayed with them all, trying to encourage and comfort them as best I could and promised that I would not forget them! They were pleased when I told them the Holy Father was praying for them and sent his blessings and indeed that you too as his holy emissary, sent your blessings.
In the parish of Dragalovci, the parish church was heavily damaged by an explosive device and then looted. The presbytery had been broken into. The parish priest, Marko Šalić was abducted by the army over two months ago and we still have no reliable information about his whereabouts. He is most probably in Doboj. Several houses were burnt and many people had been taken to detention centres. The village almost appears to have ceased existence. There were no war conflicts here, but the parish and village are on the main and only road between Banja Luka and Belgrade. Several elderly people appealed to me take them away from the daily torture of uniformed persons, who beat and robbed them! We mustered up some courage to visit Doboj which is being controlled by another unit (also Serbian!), I managed to come to the parish priest there, Jozo Kudić and asked about Marko Šalić. Šalić had been released two days earner from the Doboj jail and for security reasons remained with Father Kudić. There were four nuns here as well, "Servants of the Little Jesus" as well as an elderly lady. The sisters' convent had been demolished several months ago by members of the "Red berets" - Serbian armed forces. The parish church was burnt, many Catholics were killed or detained while one section had managed to flee to safety. There are very few left. They are truly imprisoned in a jail and can go nowhere. They barely have anything to eat. They all rejoiced at my visit! I promised that I would try and arrange with the military authorities in Banja Luka to come and collect them on Wednesday, because they desperately wanted to leave Doboj!
- During our return trip, I stopped in to visit the parish priest in Prnjavor, Vlado Lukenda whose vehicle had been confiscated. I wrote a letter of protest expressing my concern to the Mayor of Prnjavor because of the difficult circumstances facing the Catholics hi the Prnjavor municipality! (this text is Appendix no: 3!).
Your Eminence, I will try in the next few days to visit some other sections of my diocese, affected by the war and all this misfortune. I will write again!
I recommend myself to your prayers in the future!

Yours in the Lord
+ FRANJO KOMARICA, Bishop

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 562/92 dated 6 August 1992)
"MAY GOD GIVE US STRENGTH FOR FURTHER ENDUR­ANCE"

 Most eminent Excellency!
Once again I am sending you a brief report regarding the latest visit to some of my parishes which I have just completed, parishes with which I had had no contact for the past 2 months.
On Tuesday 4 July this year, I went to Prijedor, Stara Rijeka, Ravska, Ljubija, Šurkovac and the Greek-Catholic parish in Trnopolje near Kozarac. The parish priest in Prijedor, Mladen Grabovac is managing quite well all things considering: they conducted nine raids of his church and presbytery - clearly without any reason. However, they did not abuse him in any way. The church is only slightly damaged, the steeple was hit by a few mortar shells. The subsidiary church in Kozarac has been burnt, as well as all the Catholic homes (and Muslim). A large number of people have been taken away to concentration camps. Tremendous fear exists among the people. Massive migration of the non-Serbian population is apparent!
I managed to speak with representatives of local authorities including the mayor, the Chief-of-police and the army commander for the entire region. It was a heavy and rough discussion! They were very illusive and intolerant in their explanations! I asked them to release the parish priest from Ljubija, Stipo Šošić. I wanted to go and visit him in the Omarska concentration camp, which was under their jurisdiction, as well as the other four remaining priests in the camp. They did not permit this but promised (!) to advise me in two days time about his condition! I asked for their guarantee of security for the Catholics of their municipality which numbered almost 8,000. They weren't very convincing as they offered their assurances!
- In the parish of Stara Rijeka I found the parish priest and Dean, Ilija Arlović who had been released the night before from a concentration camp in Sanski Most, after 12 days of heavy torture. He was covered in bruises and complained of the terrible pain in the rib area. He was at the end of his strength both in body and soul. The new parish church was completely demolished, while the presbytery was also looted. Several dozen parishioners are still located in concentration camps. The worst situation is in the subsidiary church of Briševo, where on 24 July this year for no reason at all and where no battles had occurred whatsoever, 90 (!) civilians, men, women and children were killed. Over 100 houses, the new parish church and the presbytery (also new) were all burnt. This was all done by the army - 6th Krajina Sanska unit under the command of Lieutenant Branko Basara as was confirmed to me during my visit there by a high ranking officer in my escort. The rest of the population has fled to God knows where. It is terrible! (see Appendix 1!)
-In the parish of Ravska, Ivan Grgić was not physically abused, but his presbytery and church were raided on several occasions. The subsidiary church in Donja Ravska was burnt as were five houses. In the subsidiary of Ovanjska, eight houses were burnt. The population has mostly fled elsewhere to safety, maybe to the hills (the parish is mostly mountainous). General fear and panic prevail as well as extreme and widespread poverty!
- The parish priest of Ljubija, Stipo Šošić was taken away on 15 June this year to the (infamous!) concentration camp in Omarska. We had no knowledge about him for quite some time. We know now that he was tortured and is at the end of his strength and seriously ill. The new pastoral centre (consecrated on 12 May this year!) has been totally demolished and then looted by the army on two occasions, once between 23 & 23 July and then again on 30 July this year. The new parish church was also deliberately burnt, but it was not entirely damaged. Huge damages, however, were CAUSED! The people have more or less dispersed to who knows where. They have been in great fear and have faced constant persecution for over two months now.
- The parish priest of Šurkovac, Friar Josip Božić has reached complete physical exhaustion. He and his faithful are living outside their homes most of the time and have been hiding in the surrounding forests and hills since 24 May this year! The army and police pass through the village on a daily basis abusing anyone they find. Great fear is apparent. The church was hit by some 30 bullet shots, as was the presbytery. During the night between 26 & 27 July, virtually ISO people, including a number of Muslims, were killed in Kipe (a surface mine in the Ljubija region). On 28 July another 14 people were killed, followed by nine Romanies - gypsies, who had been previously ordered to bury the first 14 victims! These people desperately want to move out and are faced with tremendous pressure to do so. They have no rights, just like all the Catholics in this region! They are lacking in everything as is the case in other parishes! I managed to distribute a little food and washing powder obtained via our Caritas. A great deal more is needed, but we do not have it! I visited the Greek-Catholic parish priest in Trnopolje. There are still a few families remaining there. The church has not been damaged but the Catholic and Muslim houses have been devastated, destroyed and looted. (Hundreds of Muslim homes have been burnt or destroyed in and around Prijedor!). On Wednesday 5 August, after I had been given permission by the military authorities, I headed to collect the parish priest, M. Šalić and the Doboj parish priest, Jozo Kudić as well as the four nuns from the order of the "Servants of the Little Jesus", as I had promised upon then: request.
- I first went to Prnjavor, accompanied by Father Vlado Lukenda and the Greek-Catholic parish priest and dean, Petar Ovada and we went to visit the Mayor and discuss the situation faced by the Catholics in this region. I requested greater protection for the lives and property of the Catholic population, even more so since the night before several unpleasant incidents had occurred and at the last moment someone prevented the church in Prnjavor from being mined! He promised to do what he could. Just how much this is, is another question!
- I managed to save the priests and sisters from Doboj and put them up in my residence in the Bishop's palace. Father Šalić had spent more than two months in jail, in Doboj. Seeing that he was ill and elderly, he was heavily beaten "only" a few times (maybe 5 times!) He doesn't want to talk about it. All he could say was that there were more than 3,000 detainees not included on any lists and that people were dying as a result of the beatings that were being inflicted upon them. There are even women who have been detained. The conditions they were being kept in and the food given were horrific. All this was happening to innocent people. They were being detained so it would be easier to loot and confiscate their property! It is certain that some SO people from the Doboj parish have been killed. Many more have been detained, no one knows their exact number. Tremendous fear prevails! The parish priest and sisters have no contact with any of the surrounding parish priests and have no knowledge of their whereabouts or state. Many villages in the Doboj deanery have been destroyed and their residents killed or have fled! Father Kudić and the sisters will go to Zagreb, if Caritas is allowed to organise a trip in the next few days following a blockade which has lasted for a month and a half!
- Today, 6 August, I had a long conversation with the Banja Luka Episcope about the tragic events which surround us. There was talk about the need for a joint meeting of Catholic and Orthodox bishops from all the war torn regions. Such a meeting would surely be useful!
- In the municipality of Bosanska Gradiška, the territorial defence army gave the Catholic population of Dolina an ultimatum that they had to evacuate without any of their belongings. I went to the area in an effort to prevent this fascist act of ethnic cleansing. May God have mercy on us and grant us the strength to continue enduring these hardships! Please continue to pray for us! May God reward you for all that you are doing for us! My brotherly regards in Christ our Good Pastor,

 Yours,
+ FRANJO KOMARICA

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 574/92 dated 10 August 1992)
 "WE SHOULD PREPARE A MEETING OF EPISCOPES & BISH­OPS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE" 

Your Excellency!
Despite my manifold attempts, I have not been able to break the blockade or be in a position to send you any information regarding the actual situation in some parishes in my diocese for which I have had no information for quite some time now. I am very grateful that you were able to contact us at least. Unfortunately, even after our conversation two days ago, I have not been able to send you any written information about our circumstances.
I am writing a few additional lines about the latest developments. I was compelled to forward a written protest to Bosanska Gradiška against the violent and illegitimate eviction of the Catholic population from their homes (Appendix 1!). Even greater oppression is being inflicted as time goes by against the Catholic Croats - in the Bosanska Gradiška and Dolina parishes. The people are asking the parish priest and myself personally to save their bare lives. I requested the International Red Cross here in Banja Luka to intervene as much as they could. They promised to do so.
On Saturday I went to visit the headquarters of the 1st Krajina Corps, accompanied by the Director of Caritas, Dr Aničić, where I finally received written permission to send a truck to Zagreb to obtain food and humanitarian aid. We do not know when this will become a reality! I was told by the highest ranking official just how much we Catholics contributed to the peaceful situation and coexistence in this town. They thanked us and expressed their recognition of the bishop, priests and faithful!
Today, I went to visit the Episcope of Banja Luka, Mr Jefrem where we met with several other Episcopes: The Metropolitan of Dabro Bosna, Nikolaj, the Tuzla Episcope, Vasilije, the Bosanski Petrovac Episcope, Hrisost, the Pakrac Episcope, Lukijan and the new Australian Episcope. We had a very constructive discussion. It is necessary to arrange a meeting of bishops and episcopes as soon as possible in Novi Sad, as they themselves said. I request that you support this idea!
Our people are in fear and uncertainty for their future and they are going hungry more often! God will surely help us! I firmly believe in this! Warmest regards to you and all those around you!

Yours in the Lord,
+ FRANJO KOMARICA

Letter to Sr Tarzicija Medven, Provincial Leader of the "Adorers of the Precious Blood of Christ"
(Prot. no: 613/92 dated 19 August 1992)
"WE PRAY, SUFFER, COMFORT AND SHARE IN THE NA­TION'S PAIN"

 Very respected addressee!
Following a long and dramatic period, I am in a position to finally once again write at least a few words. I forward them with Sr Salezija, a member of your administration and order of sisters and the person responsible for this region. She will be more able to relay just how complicated the situation is. Circumstances which relate to your requests for the sisters to leave from this region fall into this category. I tried to do what I could in keeping with the suggestions made by the Papal Nuncio, Msgr Montalvo with regard to saving the sisters and the convents especially in Bosanski Aleksandrovac and Nova Topola. Until now I have somehow managed. I hope I will be able to do so in the future, obviously also with difficulty with which we are all subject to in this area. If, for practical reasons, some of the older sisters need to be transferred possibly to Croatia, I consider it would not be wise to move all the sisters from the said convents and certainly not from the entire region. I spoke about this to Sr Salezija, as well as the Mother Superior of both convents and some other respectable people. We do not know what the day brings or the night. Everything is in God's hands, including ourselves. Without him nothing could happen. I can only add that our sisters and priests have shown an extraordinary readiness to suffer alongside their people. They share their pain, suffering and uncertainty brought by this war for which we cannot in any way be blamed! We pray, suffer, console, share and do what we can - according to God's will! You too pray for us so that we may continue to be of use to God and that he may use us according to his will!
May God bless you all! With brotherly regards,

 Yours, FRANJO KOMARICA, Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 552/92 dated 3 September 1992)
"WE CAN NEITHER LEAVE NOR STAY"

 Your Excellency!
I am using this occasion, now that we have finally been given some electricity following a fortnight of darkness, to send you a fax of the latest events in my diocese. I was pleased to have been able to speak to you on the phone after a longer period of silence. Thank you for your great care and love towards us all. May the Lord reward you a hundred fold more. Your prayers and other forms of assistance are more than valuable to us during the difficult circumstances we are faced with, the great ordeals and distress affecting virtually my entire diocese.
In the attached memo which I forwarded to the civil and military authorities in the past few days you will be able to at least obtain some idea of our circumstances. Generally speaking, the people are still in great fear. In some towns, the repression and anarchy implemented by armed bandits, often supported and backed by the official local politicians, is becoming unbearable. Many tens of thousands of my faithful are searching for protection by me or rather the possibility of re-settling in Croatia or abroad. This is by far an easy task to resolve - we can neither stay nor go. I am doing everything I can to at least influence the more rational local civil and military authorities to at least inform them of the so-called ethnic cleansing, which is a crime against mankind. It can even be referred to as fascism or genocide. Sometimes I even manage to find some understanding. The pressure of the international community against such bestial acts by the authorities is beginning to be felt more and more. Please continue to do so in the future as far as it is in your power, to undertake what you can to find a human, humane and Christian resolution for these innocent people faced with this entire inhumane situation!
Father S. Šošić is finally safe with me following two and a half months of hell in the concentration camps of Omarska and Manjača. The parish priest from Prijedor, M. Grabovac is also with me. His parish church was razed to the ground and they attempted to liquidate him. My life loo is in danger at every moment. I was advised of this fact just today by the military authorities with whom I met for yet another attempt to intervene in an intolerable situation faced by my faithful! FIAT NOBISCUM VOLUNTAS DEI!
Let us pray for each other! I sincerely greet you and thank you!

 Yours,
+ Bishop FRANJO

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 825/92 dated 25 September 1992)
"WE MET WITH C. VANCE & D. O WEN"

 Your Excellency!
I have taken the liberty once again today to write to you and briefly advise you of the memos I was honoured and able to present to Messrs. C. Vance and Lord David Owen, who were on an official visit to Banja Luka.
Their itinerary to Banja Luka included a visit to myself, as I was advised this morning by the Mayor, Mr Radić once he had received the protocol for the guests' intended visit. He himself suggested that the Banja Luka Episcope, Mr Jefrem attend the meeting which I naturally agreed to. He in turn brought along the Banja Luka Mufti, Mr Halilović upon my suggestion. The three of us met with Messrs. Vance and Owen in the "Bosna" hotel in the afternoon hours and spent virtually an hour and a half in conversation. Following reports by Messrs. Jefrem and Halilović, I too gave an account of the current situation emphasising some particularly significant situations faced by the Catholic population in Bosanska Krajina. These people are primarily very peaceful people and prepared for a peaceful coexistence with the other nationalities who wish to remain safe in their own homes and who have not retaliated against the horrific injustice and lack of rights in addition to social repression. Their only wish is to save their bare lives, no matter where they be of course, wishing to remain within the territory of the current Bosnia-Herzegovina. I stressed that in my opinion neither Mr Karadžić nor any other Serbian politician (let alone any other politicians) were aware of the actual situation in the field especially in Banja Luka where at first glance it appeared peaceful despite the threat that conflict might break out between our people who are going hungry. I appealed that these blameless people be given some protection from the anarchy, that armed conflicts be stopped and above all that an international peace keeping force be established to monitor and take decisive measures in an attempt to calm down the misfortunes of war. In a brief reply, the respected gentlemen thanked us for the information they were able to hear from us and stated that they were pleased that between us, the representatives of three confessions, there was so much tolerance and co-operation. They added that it was also more than evident that this particular region was being exposed to a real holocaust which the international community could not allow to go unpunished. They were under the impression that ethnic cleansing was being used to obtain as much territory as possible before the arrival of UNPROFOR to these regions. They continued by pledging that they would not tire in preventing the escalation of injustice and war conflicts and that they were convinced that ethnic cleansing would soon decrease and be seen as a huge deceit. They were both decisive in their determination to do what they could to end the war and to once again establish justice for all its people.
In all this we can thank God that these two are so competent, evidently capable politicians and thank God for sending them to us so that our more than dramatic situation does not become even worse. Perhaps as a result of their efforts, other international factors may decide to help prevent an even greater catastrophe for our people and confessions especially those of my diocese.
I thank you and through you the Holy See for all your efforts to once again establish peace and to create such circumstances as to enable a peaceful coexistence amongst the different peoples in this region as they have been horribly deceived by short-sighted and incompetent politicians and warmongers.
I myself will not give up in my attempts to maintain a healthy climate amongst our people and I will support all constructive action in this regard. May the Lord bless all those noble people in their attempt and efforts for true goodness of man and all people!
My dear Excellency, once again I sincerely thank you for your efforts to resolve this difficult situation faced by the Church in Banja Luka! May the Lord reward you! These are my wishes and prayers for you. My greetings in Christ and Mary,

FRANJO KOMARICA, Bishop of Banja Luka

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot no: 726/92 dated 12 September 1992)
"THE SITUATION IS VERY DRAMATIC IN SEVERAL PAR­ISHES"

Most Eminent Excellency!
Let me briefly inform you of the latest and most significant events in my diocese, for which I have received at least some information.
Firstly, I wish to thank you for your kind receipt and further distribution of the joint Appeal made by the Banja Luka Episcope, the Mufti and myself which we forwarded to all the negotiators involved in the fate of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Here the joint Appeal has been met with a very favourable reaction. Thank God.
On Saturday, 5 September this year, I met with the leading local civil and military authorities, as well as a number of citizens who were complaining about the repression of their human rights (the majority were Catholics). Once again on that occasion I appealed to the appropriate authorities and requested that they more decisively take into consideration the accusations made by these people. They have been denied their rights in their everyday lives and yet are not at all to be blamed for this. The authorities publicly promised to try and consider then demands especially concerning their own personal security, also preventing discrimination or even worse - abuse and robbery. They also assured us that they would see that they be reinstated in their places of employment and would see that the rights of parents foe valued with regard to the education system (crazy new reforms have been introduced - truly racist!) as well as other rights which legitimately belong to all citizens.
On Monday, 7 September, I visited the Bosanska Gradiška and Dolina parishes (situated along the border with Croatia), where true panic has set in amongst the population. This follows the abduction (perhaps even murder) of the President of the parish Pastoral Council and member of the pastoral Bishops' Council, Father Marijan Vištica (on 3 September this year). He was at the same time a member of the Parliament of Bosnia-Herzegovina for this entire region. The local population wishes to re-settle in Croatia at any cost. More than 300 people have managed to flee in the past few days and the remainder, virtually 2,000 Catholics, want to go as soon as possible. They told me their sorry tales and the local parish priests and nuns are completely uncertain how to act next.
On Tuesday, 8 September this year, I once again spoke to the military authorities of the 1st Banja Luka Corps and once again relayed the entire dramatic situation in the Bosanska Gradiška region in regard to the destiny of the Catholic population. I expressed my concern and protested that nothing was being done 1o protect these innocent people. Once again, I insisted that I be given some reliable information about the destiny of our parish priest from Nova Topola, Father Ratko Grgić who was abducted on 16 June this year. I furthermore expressed my deep bitterness towards the total destruction of the parish church and presbytery in Mahovljani, which was committed by the army, as well as the looting which took place of the parish property. They promised (!) to settle the situation and prevent any further vandalism. To date I have not received any reliable information that the situation has in fact improved!
In the meantime, the parish priest from Ključ, Mr Franjo Krešić, advised me that his remaining parishioners (the majority had settled in the Diaspora years ago) had packed their belonging and were heading towards Croatia! This parish has therefore met its end. Following the collapse of the surrounding parishes (in the previous war): Drvar, Bosanski Petrovac, Krnjeuša, Zelinovac, it was now the turn of this once large parish to face devastation!
The parishioners from Sanski Most, Stara Rijeka, Šurkovac and Sasina are advising us that they too are under huge pressure to move out and ask their bishop to save them - i.e. to be taken out of these intolerable surroundings! (...)
The parishioners from Kotor Varoš and Vrbanjci have managed to advise me that despite their extreme peacefulness they are being put under torturous pressure to leave and that they are at the edge of their tolerance. They cannot even go into their own gardens. Their houses are being burnt and they are asking that their bishop lead them to salvation.
- On Thursday, 10 September this year 1 finally received a written reply to my many memos to the Commander of the 1st Krajina Corps, General-major Talić regarding the destruction of the parish church in Prijedor. A copy of his reply is attached (Appendix 1).
Upon my repeated insistence I was received yesterday, 11 September, by the Chief-of-police for the entire Bosanska Krajina, Mr Župljanin. I submitted to him a written report of the "Constant threat and huge uncertainty faced by the Catholics of the region of the Bosanska Krajina" (Appendix 2) and personally relayed the entire dramatic situation. I asked him why and until when was this to be so? Amongst other things he replied that the Vatican was to blame for the fate of Yugoslavia and its Serbs. Now the Serbs are taking revenge on the Catholics - destroying their churches, killing civilians, persecuting them and expelling them from these regions ... Nevertheless, he assured me that he would try and improve law and order amongst the police force at least and to prevent any serious crimes. I requested this in writing, and he accordingly assured me he would forward a reply! I assured him 1 would not stop requesting and demanding this from him, as I have done so far to all the other officials I have met who were in a position of authority and whose responsibility it was to protect these people and the Catholics of this region!
That same day, I received Mr Kuprešanin at his request. Mr Kuprešanin is the President of the Autonomous Region of the Bosanska Krajina and was authorised to speak to me by leader of the Bosnian Serbs, Radovan Karadžić about a letter which I had written to Karadžić, as well as to the Prime Minister of the Republika Srpska, Mr Đerić. In my letter I described the current situation faced by the Catholics in the region of Bosanska Krajina (Appendix 3), and spent some time in discussion about the most sensitive issues: evictions, looting, dismissal from work, detention, killing, missing parish priests, school reforms, detainees in Manjača and others. He promised that he would do what he could to find a positive solution. What will happen we will soon see!
Today, the Banja Luka Television asked for an interview with regard to a reply from Mr Đerić to my memo about the abuse and persecution of Catholics in this region! The letter, i.e. reply has still not been received by me! So much for now! My dear Excellency, we pray and do as much as we can and know to bring peace and good to all people! My brotherly regards!

Yours in Christ
Bishop FRANJO KOMARICA

Letter to Msgr G. Montalvo, Papal Nuncio to Belgrade
(Prot. no: 1075/92 dated 19 October 1992)
ANXIETY AND HOPE ARE CONTINUALLY INTERCHANGING

Most eminent Excellency!
Our electricity supply and opportunity to send fax transmissions are quite uncertain and my last letter is still waiting to be despatched. Nevertheless I am wilting to you in the hope that I will soon be able to send you the latest information about the current situation in my diocese of Banja Luka.
I still have no knowledge about the fate of my priests, nuns and faithful in the parishes where battles are currently being waged - Jajce and Bihać. At the same time I do not know anything about the entire Livno Deanery which I hope has not been exposed to any great war destruction except some hardships economically, a fate which has befallen all the people of our war torn country. I can, however, report about the current situation faced by the remainder of my diocese:
I managed after virtually eight months to finally go to Zagreb and attend this year's sitting of the Croatian Bishops' Conference and managed to return without any special hardship. It was a most extraordinary experience and meeting with brothers of the Episcopacy, as well as with the new Papal Nuncio in Zagreb, Msgr Einaudi. I had a fairly lengthy discussion with him about the entire situation in my diocese and in B-H as a whole. It was a very constructive meeting!
I utilised my stay in Zagreb to meet with some people in power in the government, precisely with the Vice-president Dr Granić. I asked Dr Granić to enable my rightless and poverty stricken people to import grain for this year's autumn sowing season, as well as fuel for their tractors. His readiness to assist was quite touching so that I was inspired to pay another visit to Zagreb a few days ago in order to get help for my faithful from the political leadership and this, thank God, I managed to do! Instead of leading several tens of thousands of faithful Catholics and abandoning our homeland forever (as has often been the case in the history of these regions), I decided to seek help and protection for my oppressed, rightless, poverty stricken people. Help is needed in food, clothing, footwear, as well as a hope for a better future, a new world and new life! Thank God, I managed to come across understanding and was given assurances that we would not be forgotten! At the same time I asked that communication channels be opened - traffic, trade and post between our region and Croatia (or rather Zagreb). Once again I was understood, so that I am truly a witness to the improvement of the very tense relations between these two regions due to the war. I will not tire in trying to find all the best possible ways and methods to once again establish peace and co-operation between our arguing brothers and neighbours. Thank God, we are moving forward!
The situation recently is very climactic in the Kotor Varoš region but it too is improving somewhat, thank the good God. All three nationalities - the Serbs, i.e. the local authorities, the Muslims and Croats applied to me as the greatest guarantor of a cessation to the war conflicts and peaceful disarmament, or rather to the safe departure for those people who wish to leave. Several hundred Catholics and even more Muslims have left the Kotor Varoš region at their own request and headed towards Travnik. Thank God everything passed peacefully without any killings or massacres which was often the case when the population tried to leave of their own accord.
I once again visited the local authorities and religious representatives from Ljubija and the burnt village of Briševo where at the end of July, 65 civilians, women and children included, were killed. Some 68 houses were also burnt on that occasion. More than 300 people want to move out. I managed to obtain a guarantee from the local authorities that they will all be given protection and was assured by international humanitarian organisations that these people