The final meeting of the synodal walk of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese (VN) began with the Prayer for the Synod, which was led by the Vicar General of the VN, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić. Welcoming those present, among whom were cardinal Puljić, Archbishop Coadjutor of Vrhbosna Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, Provincial of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, OFM Jozo Marinčić, he gave word to the Secretary General of the Synod, Dr. Rev. Mario Bernadić, who gave a brief overview of the activities of the First Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese.

Ending of a nine-year process

“Three months ago, on September 11^th this year to be exact, we gathered in the same hall with the intention of opening the work of the Synod Assembly, which in itself represents the culmination and finale of the work of each Episcopal Synod, including our Vrhbosna Synod. On that occasion, we recalled all those preparatory activities that began on St. Peter’s Day 2012”, said the secretary, who stressed that he particularly referred to the last part that followed the opening ceremony. He reminded that a total of six parliamentary sessions followed (September 18^th, September 25^th, October 2^nd, October 16^th and October 30^th), five of which were related to the discussion on the proposed Synod Working Document, while the sixth, last session, concerning the official vote (November 20^th).

“Regarding the discussion part, one of the five chapters of the Working Document was discussed at each meeting: ecclesiastical-legal; pastoral; religious-pedagogical; liturgical and media. The work took place in such a way that at the beginning of each session, representatives of individual chapters, briefly presented content of their areas/chapters, followed by a discussion that included three ways of participation: written intervention as a basic way of participation, oral intervention, and oral review”, said Dr. Bernadić and stressed that in the end 62 written interventions and 40 oral interventions and reviews were collected. He pointed out that the Synod Assembly consisted of 134 members with the right to vote, and then presented the statistics of participation. He also spoke about the results of the voting on individual thematic units, and then on the entirety of the Working Document of the Synod. He noted that it was adopted by 91 votes and further spoke on the statistics of participation in sessions on a personal level.

Speaking about further steps, the Secretary General of the Synod said: “The first would refer to the issuance of Conclusions and statements of the Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese. We note that this book will faithfully adhere to the Final Document we already have”. He added that it would be necessary to work on the form itself, then on even better harmonization with current papal and church documents, also on better equipment with various contributions and indexes, as well as on all those necessary linguistic finesses.

“Given that we are talking about an official church document that remains, practically, forever, the text should be flawless”, he said and pointed out that it will be mainly Archbishop’s task who is the only legislator of the Synod, while “as of today, the Synodal Assembly ends with its primarily advisory role”.

Solemn act of handing over the Final Document

Thanking God and all those who have worked on the Synod for the past nine years, Dr. Bernadić presented the Final Document to cardinal Puljić and the Archbishop Coadjutor of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić.

Msgr. Slađan pointed out that a smaller number of documents will be printed, but members will receive them in digital format, and they will be available on the official website of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese.

Then the cardinal took the stand and called the First Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese a historic event. He first thanked Msgr. Vukšić, Secretary General Dr. Bernadić, all those who participated in the field through dean’s meetings and other members of the Synod. “No one is smart enough to offer solutions on their own. That is why it is so important that you all gave your efforts to make the Synod happen”, said the cardinal, emphasizing that, from the Final document, he will, with a group of associates, make “strategy of our act on how we will implement it in our Archdiocese practically and legally”. Emphasizing that the Spirit of God leads the Church, he finally encouraged those present to commit to the conclusions reached.

Towards the end of the ceremony, gratitude plaques and medallions were handed over to the deserving. Due to the large number of participants and the lack of time, only Msgr. Vukšić, Secretary General of the Synod, Rev. Bernadić and employee of Katolički tjednik Josipa Prskalo, who worked in the Secretariat of the Synod, were given thank you plaques by the Cardinal, and the others were able to get them later.

The ceremony was followed by a Holy Mass of the conclusion of the First Synod of the Vrhbosna Archdiocese in the Sarajevo Cathedral, which ended one of the most important events in the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna in the last 30 years.