At the beginning of the session, Archbishop Vukšić greeted those present, including: the vice-president of the BK BiH and the host, the bishop of Mostar-Duvno and the apostolic administrator of Trebinje-Mrkan, Msgr. Petar Palić, the new bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Željko Majić, auxiliary bishop of Banja Luka, Msgr. Marko Semren and the apostolic visitor for the parish of Međugorje, Msgr. Aldo Cavalli, secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature, Msgr. Javier Camañes Forés, archbishop of Split-Makarska, Msgr. Zdenko Križić and the representative of the Italian Bishops' Conference, Msgr. Domenico Cornacchio, bishop of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi.

Since the apostolic nuncio in BiH and Montenegro, Archbishop Francis Assisi Chullikatt, was prevented from participating, his message to the bishops was given by Msgr. Forés.

Various reports were heard

During the two-day session, the bishops accepted numerous reports, agreed on different dates and planned time frames for different appointments in institutions where mandates are expiring.

In the report on the work of the Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith, the documents that the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published recently were mentioned. After listening to the report on the work of the Media Council in the last year, the bishops supported that in the future the Day of Social Communication in Bosnia and Herzegovina be held on the last Sunday of September and that the central Eucharistic celebration be held in a different diocese every year.

In the annual review of the work of the Council for Ecumenism and Dialogue between Religions and Cultures, special attention was paid to the topics of ecumenism and synodal progress, as well as the topic of spiritual ecumenism with the Orthodox and human brotherhood with Muslims among Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In this spirit, the bishops recalled that "all the final documents of the Continental Assemblies emphasize the close relationship between synodality and ecumenism" and that "both synodality and ecumenism are rooted in the baptismal dignity of the entire people of God."

After listening to the annual report on the work of the Council for Catechesis and New Evangelization, they emphasized the necessity of systematic parish catechesis as an education for belonging to the Church and parish unity.

The bishops are also familiar with the work of the Council for Clergy and Seminaries. They accepted the proposal that at the 11^th interdean meeting in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be held on April 18^th at the Petar Barbarić Archbishop's Seminary in Travnik, the central topic to be: Priest and missionary transformation of the Church. They also invited the worshipers of the honourable servant of God, Petar Barbarić, to participate in the Holy Mass on the occasion of the 150^th anniversary of his birth on the Feast of Pentecost, May 19^th, at 6:00 p.m., in the seminary church in Travnik.

After being informed about last year's activity of the Council for the Family and the Council for the Laity of the BK BiH and the Youth Committee of this Council, the bishops invited all families, especially married couples who are celebrating their anniversaries, to come to the Family Day on July 28^th in the parish church of the Holy Family in Kupres. They also encouraged young men and women from their diocesan communities to be part of the 12^th meeting of Croatian Catholic youth on May 4^th in Gospić.

After listening to the latest report on the work of the Pedagogical Council of Catholic Schools for Europe, they expressed concern about the decreasing number of children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, not only in Catholic families, but also in all other families, including in schools. They called on the faithful to pray and be open to life, and the structures of society to work on creating the necessary prerequisites for supporting families.

After getting acquainted with the work of the Liturgy Council and the Justitia et Pax Commission, the bishops thanked the previous president, the bishop of Banja Luka in peace, Msgr. Franjo Komarica and agreed that the chairmanship of the aforementioned bodies should be taken over by Msgr. Majić.

Details of the ad limina campaign

In accordance with the guidelines of the competent bodies of the Holy See, the bishops agreed on the course of their official visit to the Holy Father and the bodies of the Roman Curia known as ad limina Apostolorum (to the apostolic thresholds), which will last from May 3^rd to 8^th. They also decided that on Saturday, May 4^th, at 6:00 p.m., they will celebrate Holy Mass in the Aracoeli Church in Rome, where the grave of Katarina Kosača-Kotromanić, the wife of Bosnian King Stjepan Tomaš and the penultimate Bosnian queen, is located on the occasion of the 600^th anniversary of her birth.

Having considered the guidelines of the Dicastery for Evangelization in connection with the celebration of the Jubilee in 2025, they encouraged the members of their diocesan communities to, in accordance with the call of Pope Francis, intensify prayers for events of mercy and the experience of God's hope through numerous pilgrimages and other initiatives within the framework of the upcoming Jubilee.

In the end, they unreservedly supported the start of negotiations and the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the European Union, convinced that this would contribute to the preservation of peace in these areas. They are also convinced that it will be for the betterment of all people in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and thus for as many of them as possible to stay in it, especially young people, and the return of those who, after the experience of staying abroad, want to build their future where they were born and grew up.

Press conference

A press conference was held in the premises of the Bishop's Ordinariate in Mostar at the end of the session of the BK BiH on March 21^st. After the announcement was read, Archbishop Vukšić and Bishop Palić gave their comments.

Msgr. Vukšić explained to those present the details regarding the Ad limina campaign in May. "It is both a custom and a tradition, but also a legal obligation for all the bishops of the world to visit the Pope every five to ten years, to inform him about the situation in their own diocese or in the BK area", he said, emphasizing that the last time they were in Rome was nine years ago.

Bishop Palić spoke about the Synod on synodality and the great Jubilee in 2025. When asked if he would invite Pope Francis to visit Herzegovina, Bishop Palić replied that one should take care of the health of the Holy Father and his plans. When asked whether priests will need to serve in several parishes, Archbishop Vukšić explained that they already have such situations and that there are prescribed rules for this.

Asked to comment on the opening of BiH's accession process to the European Union, Archbishop Vukšić said that the bishops unconditionally support the acceptance negotiations. Explaining that there has been peace in the European Union for 80 years, he wished that Bosnia and Herzegovina would be a member of that great family.

Celebrated patron of the Mostar-Duvno diocese

On the feast of St. Joseph, on March 19^th, in the Cathedral of Mary Mother of the Church in Mostar, the heavenly patron of the Mostar-Duvno diocese was celebrated with a solemn Holy Mass. The Eucharist was celebrated by the Metropolitan of Split-Makarska, Msgr. Križić. Together with him were all the members of the BK BiH and the bishops-delegates who participated in the session, as well as about 30 priests, including the Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Herzegovina OFM Jozo Grbeš and the vicar general of the dioceses of Herzegovina, Msgr. Nikola Menalo.

In the appropriate homily, Msgr. Križić pointed out that in 1687 the Croatian Parliament proclaimed St. Joseph as the patron saint of the Croatian people, and that 154 years ago he was declared the patron saint of the entire Church. He further spoke about the well-known details from the life of this saint, emphasizing how he died quietly, just as he lived quietly. "When he died, how he died, where he died, where he was buried... remains a secret. It doesn't even matter. The important thing in life is to fulfil your mission and die a righteous death", said Archbishop Križić, among other things.

The liturgical celebration was animated by the Academic Choir Pro Musica and Choir Marija accompanied by the Oro Musica Youth Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro rev. Dragan Filipović.

Numerous nuns from various congregations participated, and among the believers were students, employees and directors of the High School of Traffic from Mostar, which was also placed under the heavenly protection of St. Joseph.