The regular annual seminar for Catholic religion teachers in primary and secondary schools from the territory of VN, which gathered about 90 participants, began with a prayer in the hall of the Centre.

Those present were greeted by the head of the Catechetic Office of the VN, rev. Tomislav Mlakić, who especially welcomed the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, vicar general of the VN, Msgr. Slađan Ćosić and the court vicar OFM Šimo Ivelj.

Statistics of religious pupils and religious teachers

He then looked back on the past school year and emphasized that Catholic religious education is taught in 139 schools in the territory of the VN: 81 primary and 58 secondary schools. He added that 7 976 primary and 4 012 secondary school pupils attended religious education last school year. He further noted that 110 religious teachers (laymen, nuns and priests) worked in the last religious education year. He emphasized that this is only two fewer than in the 2022/23 school year, and for illustration he underlined that ten years ago there were 142.

He then spoke about the personal changes among religious teachers and thanked the archbishop and vicar general for their willingness to contribute to the sometimes difficult and painful filling of vacant positions.

Explaining the challenges that await in the new school year, he noted that the biggest one will be curriculum reform.

Evangelical imperative to protect the most vulnerable

This was followed by a lecture by the court vicar, archdiocesan and metropolitan head of the office for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, OFM Šimo Ivelj, Ph.D., entitled Measures and instructions for the protection of children and vulnerable persons - the Church's response.

OFM Šimo pointed out at the beginning that the topic he is talking about is "one of the most important and sensitive in pastoral work, and in a special way in catechetical work". "As bearers of the evangelical mission, we are all called to be, not only teachers of the faith, but also protectors of the most vulnerable among us", he said, noting that the Church is called to be a home for everyone and a safe refuge.

Addressing the catechists, to whom he emphasized that their task is not only to transmit religious knowledge, but also to create an environment in which even the most vulnerable person feels protected, he underlined that this task is extremely demanding and requires a high level of responsibility, moral sensitivity and expertise. He explained that protecting the most vulnerable is not only a professional obligation, but also an evangelical imperative.

He then briefly presented what has been specifically done in relation to the protection of minors in the territory of the VN, as well as the Bishops' Conference of BiH in the past 20 years, and the crown of that work is the appointment of the diocesan commissioner for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, as well as the establishment office, adopted at the 87th regular session of the BK BiH in Banja Luka on July 13th and 14th 2023.

He gave certain tips to avoid problems and underlined the elements of emotional abuse. Emphasizing that not every reckless and illegal act is sexual abuse, he pointed out the difference between a complaint and an official report for child abuse.

He then spoke about the concept of sexual abuse, the disagreements of certain bishops and religious leaders in the past in this context, stressing that since 2001 there has been zero tolerance for abuse in the Catholic Church. He noted that the process of "cleansing" the Church was started by St. John Paul II, followed by Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis continues to do so today. He also spoke about the provisions concerning the cover-up of cases as well as the corpus delicti reflected in the Sixth Commandment of God ("Thou shalt not commit fornication").

In the conclusion, he emphasized that in the last 23 years, the Church has made a revolution in the moral "cleansing" of its dignity soiled "by sin that cries out to heaven". "The Church responded. Are we, as members of the Church, as those who perform certain church services, as clerics, religious men and women, catechists and lay believers, ready to accept these answers of the Church and apply them in their full meaning", OFM Šimo asked at the end and emphasized the importance that religious studies are always conducted in a safe environment.

Then the two-member team of the Archdiocese Centre for Youth Pastoral Care Ivan Pavao II, presented the volunteer action 72 hours without compromise, which should be held at the end of September.

Only Christ teaches

The highlight of the 28th catechetical day was the Holy Mass in the church of the Queen of the Holy Rosary on Banjski Brijeg, which is located within the KŠC building. Archbishop Tomo celebrated the Eucharist in concelebration with about 15 priests.

In the appropriate homily, Msgr. Vukšić used thoughts about catechesis and the mission of the catechist, which are found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which mainly refers to the apostolic exhortation Catechesi tradendae (1979) St. John Paul II. "Catechesis, its purpose and the mission of the catechist are: to make people become disciples of Christ; religious upbringing of children, youth and adults; catechesis is connected with the whole life of the Church", he stated some truths about catechesis and further spoke about its content and centre, which is "Jesus Christ, the second person of the Holy Trinity, the God-man and the saviour of the world".

At the end of the homily, the archbishop recalled the Apostle Paul, who in his First Epistle to the community of believers in the Greek city of Corinth said: "We preach Christ crucified: [...] God's power and God's wisdom" (1 Cor 1:23-24).

At the end of the Holy Mass, Msgr. Vukšić distributed the canonical messages to individual religious teachers and expressed satisfaction with the large turnout.

The Holy Mass fellowship continued with a meal and socializing in the premises of the KŠC.