Help for the Training of Seminarians in Bosnia 

Many Catholics from Bosnia and Herzegovina have now left their country. Since the last Bosnian war, which ended in 1995, the Catholic population has decreased by roughly 50 percent. Today, there are only about 400,000 Catholics left, accounting for barely 15 percent of the total population. Sadly, this wave of emigration continues, and most of the people who fled the country have not returned. Indeed, for Catholics here, life is becoming more difficult.

Despite this, many families do find the courage to return, as long as Church life has been re-established in their hometowns and villages. So priests play a key role in this place, and there is an urgent need for more.  

At present, there are 14 young men studying for the priesthood in the archdiocesan seminary in Sarajevo. For the Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it is a massive challenge to fund the training of these seminarians, since almost all of them come from poorer rural families. Consequently, the Archdiocese of Sarajevo must cover all the costs of their training.  

This has always been a challenge, but in recent years, as a result of the war in Ukraine, the prices of food and energy have risen sharply, and the country now has one of the highest inflation rates in Europe. There are fears that prices will increase further. In the past, ACN has supported formation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we plan to do so again, with a contribution of $13,500, so no vocation is lost for financial reasons. Will you join us in helping these young men?

Code: 444-02-79