Banja Luka Catholic Cathedral - Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure

Banja Luka Catholic Cathedral - Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure

The Cathedral of Saint Bonaventure in Banja Luka is one of three Roman Catholic cathedrals in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the seat of the Banja Luka Bishopric currently led by Bishop Franjo Komarica.

Saint Peter and Paul Church in Mostar

Saint Peter and Paul Church in Mostar

Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Franciscans came to Mostar in the 14th century. In the 15th century they built a church and monastery in Mostar. But the conquering Ottoman Turks destroyed both buildings in 1563 and dumped the executed Franciscans into the Neretva.

THE SISTERS OF CHARITY (in Banja Luka)

THE SISTERS OF CHARITY

THE SISTERS OF CHARITY of St. Vincent de Paul in Banja Luka came in 1872 and established their convent in the center of town (in today's “Serbian street”). Other than their rather specific way of living, filled with prayer and work, they are especially dedicated to the upbringing of children and female adolescents.  In that context, they used to run a highly respected primary school, which was attended not only by Catholics, but also children of other religious backgrounds and confessions.

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vrhbosna

Vinko Puljić has had many serious issues to deal with since becoming archbishop in 1990. First, he had to deal with the Bosnian War which resulted in the Siege of Sarajevo on the archdiocese's home. In the war's aftermath, repairs had to be completed to many damaged churches and chapels. However, the biggest struggle has been the exodus of Croatian Catholics from the region during the war. The Catholic population in the diocese is less than half of what it was before the conflict. Although it has slightly rebounded, it has been an uphill struggle for the church.