Roman Catholic Bishop earns "Fearlessness" Prize (moral, church)

[Djamila]

BISHOP KOMARICA AWARDED “FEARLESSNESS PRIZE”

ASCHAFFENBURG, November 26 (FENA/KTA) – In accordance with the unanimous decision of the seven-member jury, “The Fearlessness Prize” of the German city of Aschaffenburg was awarded on Saturday to the Banja Luka Bishop, monsignor Franjo Komarica.

“Thanks to his fearless and tireless efforts, Mr Komarica prevented armed conflicts of greater proportions – he was the constant protector of the deprived in the Banja Luka region. During the entire war, he provided not the only the Catholics, but also Muslims and Serbs with aid – via the Caritas that he had established. Although he was forced to leave Banja Luka on several occasions, he remained in the city despite great danger, because he knew that this was the only moral support for many”, is said in the official interpretation of the award.

“The Aschaffenburg Fearlessness Prize” was established in memory of father Bernard, the guardian of the capuchin monastery in Aschaffenburg.

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Just a note. Banja Luka, during the war, never once came under attack. It was controlled by Bosnian Serbs and Muslim/Roman Catholic religious buildings were simply dynamited, and their populations killed or expelled. Not a single bomb ever fell on the city.

That's why it was so dangerous there. As they said: A bomb blast in Sarajevo was not nearly as terrifying as a knock at the door in Banja Luka.

So bravo to Papa Franjo! The new church he rebuilt in Banja Luka is lovely also! And he's still being brave today against constant persecution. The latest Amnesty International report described Banja Luka, which remains almost entire Serbian (Orthodox Christian) as one of the most hostile cities for Roman Catholics in the world.