Acta Benedicti Pp. XVI 939

CONVENTIO

Inter Apostolicam Sedem et Bosniam et Herzegoviam.

BASIC AGREEMENT

between the Holy See and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Holy See and Bosnia and Herzegovina,

Wishing to establish the juridical framework of relations between the

Catholic Church and Bosnia and Herzegovina;

With reference on the part of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the constitutional

principles by which it was created, and on the part of the Holy See to the

documents of the Second Vatican Council and the norms of canon law;

Mindful of the centuries-old presence of the Catholic Church in Bosnia and

Herzegovina and of her current role in social, cultural and educational fields;

Respecting internationally recognized principles concerning the distinc-

tion between religion and the state and concerning freedom of religion; have

established by mutual agreement what follows:

Article 1

Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Holy See reaffirm that the state and the

Catholic Church, each in its proper sphere, are independent and autonomous,

and they commit themselves to total respect for this principle in their rela-

tions and to mutual cooperation for integral human development, both spi-

ritual and material, and for the promotion of the common good.

Article 2

1. Bosnia and Herzegovina recognizes the public juridical personality of

the Catholic Church.

2. Bosnia and Herzegovina also recognizes the public juridical personality

of all ecclesiastical institutions which possess such juridical personality in

conformity with the norms of canon law.

3. The competent ecclesiastical authority may establish, modify, abolish

or recognize ecclesiastical juridical persons according to the norms of canon