Renovate a Building for Use as a Pastoral Center in Serbia
Monday, November 23, 2009

Project Code: 449-01-19

Father Jozo Duspara of the Parish of Zemun is already something of a legend among his brother priests, even though he is only 55 years old. This cheerful, vigorous priest is always ready to roll up his sleeves and do what he can to give courage and new hope to the "little Catholic flock" in Serbia, who now make up a minority of only 5.5% of the total population.

The newly established Diocese of Srijem, to which the Parish of Zemun belongs, covers the northern part of the country, close to the border with Croatia and very close to the town of Vukovar that was so heavily fought over during the civil war and which to this day is still surrounded by minefields. While on the Croatian side of the border, 14 years after the end of the war, most of the ruined churches and other church buildings have now been rebuilt, in Serbia not even the churches that were already decaying in the communist era have been rebuilt.

The Parish of Zemun officially has an estimated 3,000 to 6,000 Catholics, but as a result of the war many Catholics, above all of Croatian origin, came under pressure and were forced to leave their homes; to this day many are afraid to return to the parish. Communism, too, has left behind traces that are still very much in evidence today. As a result the Catholic Church now faces massive challenges.

Father Jozo is constantly working to strengthen the Catholic faithful and to encourage those who are unsure of their Faith. Now this tireless priest wants to convert an old house next to the presbytery into a parish center. Currently this building is little more than a shed with two store rooms in it. The idea is to use the planned parish center for a range of different activities, including altar servers’ meetings, choir rehearsals, talks, family circles, social projects, and student activities, among other pastoral functions. It will also house a parish library, while the attic rooms will provide accommodation, where poorer students from the provinces can live who cannot afford accommodation in the town.

In this way Father Duspara hopes to encourage the education of young Catholics, but the center is not intended only for Catholics; it will also open its doors to those of all religions and nationalities. He is hoping it will strengthen vital and active parish life once more and that the attractive pastoral programs will encourage more and more people to venture to make contact with the Church again. He is also convinced that the center can make a valuable contribution to a successful and harmonious coexistence between the various different religious and ethnic groupings, since people will be able to meet one another here in an open and welcoming atmosphere and together create something good and beautiful. Such shared activities, he believes, can promote peace and mutual understanding, something of vital necessity in a country so wounded by war.

ACN has promised this hard-working priest a contribution of $8,200. Will you support him in creating this pastoral center in Serbia?

Progress: 0% Raised: $ 0     Goal: $ 8200

Return to Projects in Need