Interview with Fr. Ilija Kelić who started important projects for Croatians in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Father Ilija Kelić (Photo: Private album)

Interview led by: Zoran Rajn

Below we bring you an interview with Father Ilija Kelić, priest of the Banja Luka Diocese and director of the Agricultural Cooperative Cellars of the Banja Luka Diocese, about the crowdfunding campaign “Help the Diocese of Banja Luka Create a Sustainable Future“, launched through the international crowdfunding platform Bona Fides Invest. 

With the collected funds, the Diocese of Banja Luka wants to acquire land and start several socially entrepreneurial projects that will provide the Diocese with continuous income, reduce its dependence on charitable contributions, and economically, culturally, and spiritually revitalize the entire diocese community and the Banja Luka region.

Crowdfunding campaign Help the Diocese of Banja Luka Create a Sustainable Future (Private album)

1. Before your role in the Church, you worked as a director and member of the board of a few big companies. Tell the readers more about that part of your life. How has your experience in the corporate world influenced your approach to leadership within the Church? What lessons or skills from your corporate roles do you find most valuable in your current position within the Church?

God has always been strongly present in my life, and all my business knowledge, as well as my career, was built by Him because I was needed by my family and the life situations in which I found myself. The Lord needed me in such a form at that very time, and I was only a tool in His hands. 

When he finished one story with me, He directed me to another. From an early age, I received from Him the necessary talents for organization, creativity, and good ideas. I developed these talents through growing up and schooling, and already at the age of 22, I “fell” into senior management. I never did what I truly loved, but if you approach work 100% and give yourself sincerely and completely, the result can never fail.

Father Ilija Kelić gives a sermon (Photo: Private album)

It is important to be responsible, give your best, include all your knowledge and capabilities, be honest with your employer, working environment, and society, and be transparent and truthful. And of course, don’t forget that these are talents that God gives you through his Holy Spirit. God rewards such an approach, and I think that was the reason for my successful business activity. 

Of course, that vast experience is important to me today as a priest, and I am sure that I can continue to multiply my talents in the Church I serve. When I look at any resources or goods in a parish or diocese, I look at them in terms of their expediency, which can bring new value, whether it is the very existence of a Church institution or comprehensive assistance to society.

As my good friend recently said, “The entrepreneurial spirit in you, Ilija, will never come out.” Well, thank God if I can contribute to the community in this way, but only with the priority of caring for the human soul. What is important now, here where God decided to bring me, to the Banja Luka Diocese, is to use my knowledge and experience to try to awaken this small remnant of Catholic life, but also to show the displaced that in the Banja Luka Diocese and Bosnia and Herzegovina, a new value worth living here can be created.

2. Can you share a personal experience or moment that deepened your connection to Christian spirituality and influenced your decision to dedicate your life to Christ and the Church?

At one point in my life, I was not in complete “communion” with God, and I would say from today’s perspective that it was my “40 days in the desert”, even though it lasted almost 7 years. At one of the seminars of Father Zvjezdan Linić, I met God in a completely new, I would say honest, way. When I learned the true reasons for human life on earth and the true value that should be strived for, which is eternal life, my life turned upside down. 

Bishop Emeritus of Banja Luka Franjo Komarica and Father Ilija Kelić (Photo: Private album)

Although I acted in a Christian manner towards work, towards people, towards workers, and towards society as a whole, I did not live sacramentally, and this created a deep dissatisfaction that was never reflected in the environment in which I lived and worked. After that one spiritual renewal, after a live encounter with the Lord, I just cried out, “Lord, where do you live?” I became a busy believer, active in my parish and the communities I led. 

I worked on myself and on getting to know God’s word better. I witnessed Christ at every step and led hundreds of people to know God in the same way. Before his death, Father Linić hinted to me that I would be a priest. He died on December 7, the feast of St. Ambrose, my patron, and I became a student of theology the very next academic year.

3. The parish of Mahovljani, which you lead, has a rich history, and it’s known that Italian settlers played a significant role. Can you share more about the history of Parish Mahovljani and the contributions of Italian settlers to the community? How has the cultural influence of Italian settlers shaped the traditions and identity of Parish Mahovljani over the years? Are there any specific cultural practices, traditions, or festivals in Parish Mahovljani that have been influenced by the Italian heritage of the early settlers?

The parish of Mahovljani is associated with Italian settlers because it was founded after their arrival in 1883. They moved from the surroundings of Trento, which were affected by natural disasters, to this rather uninhabited area by the decision of the Austro-Hungarian authorities. 

They were settled on these hills above the rich Lijevče polje, which falls under Mahovljani Parish. I emphasize the hills because in the smart Austro-Hungarian settlements, they were not built on fertile plains but on hills and mountains surrounded by fields. The fertile land fed the population and the Empire, and today half of that field is built with buildings, which is a reflection of man’s bad attitude towards God’s abundant gift. They made good use of all the hills and revived the whole region with agriculture, fruit growing, cattle breeding, and viticulture. 

(Photo: Private album)

The first serious vine plantations in the entire Krajina region were right here, and there is also a story that the famous Banja Luka chevap “pločice” originated from the hands of one Italian settler. Unfortunately, the Second World War took its toll, and the Catholic population that lived in this area had no life prospects, so most of the Italian families went back to the homeland of their ancestors, and those who remained together with the native Croats and Poles left during this last unfortunate war. Today, the parish has only about twenty families.

4. The Trappist monastery Marija Zvijezda (Mariastern), which operates in the Banja Luka Diocese, was before the First World War the largest Trappist monastery in the world, and today it is the smallest with only a few monks. The monastery has been associated with entrepreneurial activities for the last 155 years. Could you elaborate on the history of entrepreneurship linked to the monastery? How has the presence of the Trappist monastery contributed to the economic development of the local community and Parish Mahovljani as a whole? Are there any unique products or industries that have emerged as a result of entrepreneurial initiatives connected to the Trappist monastery?

The Trappist monastery Marija Zvijezda and the Mahovljani parish are not closely related, except that they operate under the auspices of the Banja Luka Diocese. The Trappists came to this region a little earlier than the Italian settlers, in 1869, when a genius father, Franz Pfanner, and several brothers, still during Turkish rule, started a story that resulted in the creation of the city of Banja Luka, which until then was a small kasaba, or small village. The Trappists brought many technologies to the processes of the food industry all over the world, but also many crafts with developed education and science, including to this region that was backward, uninhabited, and literally crying out for them. 

(Photo: Private album)

The Trappists started great projects and opened many factories, silos, a brewery, a juice and jam factory, a bakery, a printing house, etc. They educated thousands of children, and the first light bulb in this part of Europe was lit up at their hydroelectric plant eight years earlier than in London. They were visionaries led by the genius Pfanner, who was born on September 21, just as I was, but exactly 100 years after their arrival. They too planted vines, albeit after the Italians, as well as cultivated the fields right below the settlements of the Italian settlers. Cooperation between them probably existed, given that they operated under the auspices of the same particular Church. 

On that trail, on the trail of that rich legacy of hardworking people who belonged to our Church in Banja Luka, I want life to revive here again, for people to move with such positive enthusiasm as they brought to this region. I would like that memory of them not only remain on the sign of Opatija Marija Zvijezda, but that it be present at every step, through the spirituality they lived, through various products that we will bring back to life in their spirit and with their characteristics.

I would like Banja Luka to use this rich historical legacy of its builders, together with our Diocese, for the benefit of every person who lives here, but also of everyone who wants to return to their roots. If we open ourselves to this goal together, God will inspire new ideas and new creative activities like Father Pfanner and his successors had.

5. Given the rich history of Parish Mahovljani, how is the community actively involved in preserving its cultural heritage and traditions? Are there any ongoing projects or initiatives aimed at ensuring that the stories and experiences of the early days of the parish are passed down to future generations?

What surrounds our parish church of St. Francis of Assisi, which is located in the middle of 9 hectares of vineyards, is a beautiful paradise on earth. It is my personal wish, as the administrator of the parish and the administrator of these agricultural assets that are located next to the parish, that we use them in the best possible way. 

(Photo: Private album)

Next to the parish land, there is the property of the Dalsasso family, which was one of the last Italian families to live here. They were a great example of how to succeed here. They built an agricultural paradise on 13 hectares. Given that Mr. Stefano and his wife recently passed away, I agreed with their heirs on an affordable purchase price that is in the payment phase, for which we launched a crowdfunding campaign.

The idea was to build an open-air museum on the common area of 22 hectares, which will show the immigration of the Italian community to this region, their activities, and their heritage. In addition, there is space for a large international youth center because the airport and the highway to Croatia are right at the foot, as well as for a winery complete with restaurant and accommodation facilities. 

Activating the production of Trappist products in this area would be an ideal combination of two rich legacies brought to us by hardworking Italians and hardworking Trappists.

6. Through the global crowdfunding platform Bona Fides Invest, which is part of the Economy of Francesco (EoF) international movement, whose role model is the heavenly protector of Mahovljani, Saint Francis of Assisi, you have started a crowdfunding campaign called “Help the Diocese of Banja Luka Create a Sustainable Future”. What challenges does the Diocese currently face, and how will the crowdfunding campaign address these challenges?

I mentioned a moment ago my desire to revive the tradition that the once-hardworking people left here. By reviving the spirituality they nurtured and the products they created, we not only achieve the self-sustainability of one of the poorest dioceses in Europe, which fell from 120,000 believers before the last war to 24,500, but we can also teach people that the earth is a gift from God and that it can be to live off the land in order to stop displacement and enable the return of those who want to be part of this project and return to their roots. 

(Photo: Private album)

There are great ideas on how to replicate this model in all parts of the Diocese, but also in parts of the Sarajevo Archdiocese, but to begin with, it is necessary to revive production in Mahovljani. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to consolidate the existing property by purchasing the property of the Dalsasso family.

Through Radio Marija, I found out about the international crowdfunding platform Bona Fides Invest, which is Croatian-owned and led by a great young team, and in cooperation with them, we launched a crowdfunding campaign for the purchase of land. It is no coincidence that everything takes place around the church of St. Francis of Assisi, who is our common link and who was called by God with the words, “Francis, restore my church.” The Banja Luka Church needs both material and spiritual restoration. 

By including as many people as possible in the campaign, I am sure that this campaign will lay the foundations for the further development of the Diocese and the entire region. We know that our Christian teaching encourages us to do good works. A great deed will be done by anyone who sets aside even 10 euros from their hearts to support this project. Our celebrated coach, Zlatko Dalić, is part of a team that wants us to succeed in our endeavors, so I believe that dear God will open the hearts of many others to follow his example. Support can be provided at the following link.

(Photo: Private album)

7. Projects include the completion of a wine cellar, a wine village with guesthouses, a liquor and beer production facility, various orchards, a commercial restaurant, accommodations, sports facilities, walking paths, an “open-air museum” depicting the history of Italian settlers in the region, especially around the iconic “Italian Church” of St. Francis, and the establishment of an International Youth Center. Can you outline the different phases of the project and the associated financial goals for each phase? What milestones are expected to be achieved in the short, medium, and long terms?

It is crucial for the Agricultural Cooperative Cellars of the Banja Luka Diocese to collect 1,000,000 euros at this moment. With these funds, the cooperative will acquire 13 hectares of land with office buildings (EUR 450,000 is needed to purchase the land, and this is currently the most important item in the cost estimate), arrange and equip a winery with a capacity of 200,000 liters of wine, equip a distillery for the production of 50,000 liters of fruit brandy and liqueurs, set up a production line for jams and natural juices, start the purchase of forest fruits in a capacity of 100 tons, and organize all the infrastructure that includes electricity with a substation, water supply, sewage, and preparatory works for prefabricated mountain houses. It will be possible to finance the further phases of the project through the income generated by these operations.

(Private album)

8. What personally motivates you to lead initiatives like the crowdfunding campaign and the sustainability project for the Banja Luka Diocese, devastated by war and recognized as one of the world’s poorest?

The Banja Luka Diocese is the only one with two active agricultural cooperatives in this region. One, Agricultural Cooperative Livač, has a cow farm, just like the Trappists had, and has been producing the famous Trappist cheese for several years. Another cooperative, the Agricultural Cooperative Cellars of Banja Luka Diocese, has vineyards and a winery. With the further development of these two cooperatives, it is possible to economically and spiritually revive this area. The crowdfunding campaign allows us to connect with as many people as possible who will contribute to this goal. 

The campaign is also an opportunity for people to get closer and get to know each other, as well as to get to know a part of Bosnia and Herzegovina that is extremely rich in resources and tradition but at the same time neglected, devastated, and destroyed due to the war. This example of a campaign could start many other stories throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina and thus connect people and open the eyes of many to the possibility that a different future is possible.

9. The campaign seeks to create a success model in Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing over 50 jobs directly within the cooperative and engaging more than 200 families of all three constituent nations as suppliers of raw materials, thereby contributing to the creation of coexistence in a society devastated by war in the nineties of the last century. How do you envision the role of the Church in fostering unity, understanding, and tolerance in regions that have experienced conflict or hardship, like Banja Luka Diocese? What other initiatives or policies do you believe could be effective in encouraging interfaith dialogue and collaboration between religious leaders of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim communities? In your opinion, what role does education play in fostering understanding and cooperation among the diverse communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina? How can the education system be improved to address historical narratives and promote unity?

This is a good example, and I would say one should try to open the eyes to possible success on all the levels you are talking about. Yes, Bosnia and Herzegovina is beautiful; Bosnia and Herzegovina has natural resources that are not polluted; it has prospects for many activities; but the problem is an anti-business climate and a very backward administration. To open the most ordinary bank account, a person needs to spend weeks with a trailer of paperwork that needs to be certified by various institutions, waiting for them for days. Unfortunately, the political system of Bosnia and Herzegovina also has a great influence on the slowness of change. 

No one is in favor of long-term management of this country by international actors, and if we want to get rid of it, three separate federal units must be created from the three constitutive peoples in the composition of a single Bosnia and Herzegovina. Of course, with clear tasks, everyone takes full responsibility for respecting others, for the right to property, and for unhindered activity.

We should avoid the large administration that currently exists by establishing three small parliaments and three small governments, with a common body at the Bosnia and Herzegovina level, and establish a type of positive competition of who will be more capable of developing their federal unit. Rivalry in the business and social sense is the only one that must be present, and the ethnic and religious one must be within its walls without the right to impose on others or discriminate on that front.

It is necessary to stop “cultivating” the past, to plant quality seeds for the future, and to nurture, protect, and reap the fruits of such a plant for all those who live in the entire area of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Every vile that a man does to another man is motivated by the evil one. 

Man was created in the image of God, and it is not in his nature to do evil to another man, because by doing so, he is doing evil to God, considering that man is His image. If he was also marked by the sacrament of baptism, he became a direct child of God. What an honor! And what will God not do for his child if he lives according to his rules and lives with him in communion? Miracles! Trust me. Let people return to God and get to know him in the right way, and then everything around them will be arranged in the right way. When people get to know God as He is, then they will realize that they are brothers to each other because they are His image, and the common life and growth of this country will be possible. It is also necessary to speed up Bosnia and Herzegovina’s approach to the European Union so that money from EU funds generates faster development and helps create new value.

10. The International Center for Youth is a significant component of the sustainability project of Banja Luka Diocese. How does the Diocese envision this Center contributing to the community and the youth in the region and beyond? Why do you choose Blessed Ivan Merz as the heavenly protector of the Center?

The youth center was the first thing I thought of when I set foot on this ground. The surroundings reminded me of my two stays in Taizé, France. I thought, well, here is a new Taizé in Bosnia and Herzegovina, intended especially for this region. I say this first of all because we need to build bridges among young people in this region. Bridges are pretty much broken, and, unfortunately, young people are still being raised on those wounds I talked about a moment ago. Again, faith is needed. God needs to enter the lives of young people in order for them to achieve a quality dialogue that will give birth to a brotherly relationship. The world rests on the young, and they are the ones who need to direct these regions into development. 

Gatherings in such centers with topics that lead to the future are the best possible form of building mutual trust and tolerance, and I am convinced that they will yield really good results. A mountain village with mountain houses will be separated from the world, a true oasis for such meetings and gatherings, and so close to all communication routes. Blessed Ivan Merz is from Banja Luka. He fulfilled his task on earth in his youth, and as a young man who was just starting out in life, he left this world to the Father. He is the protector of the youth, so let him be an advocate of this project that will ennoble many young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and the whole world.

Father Ilija Kelić at an audience with Pope Francis (Photo: Private album)

11. How has the local community responded to the crowdfunding initiative? How can individuals and organizations contribute to the crowdfunding campaign, and what incentives or rewards are offered to backers? Are there specific ways for the global community to engage with and support the Banja Luka Diocese?

I must admit that I am delighted with the cooperation with the local community, with the ministries with which I communicate due to the nature of my work, and with the support they provide me. As for the professional help of certain business entities, colleges, and individuals, I am also more than pleasantly surprised here, and every day we give each other incentives to create new ideas that slowly begin to take shape in future projects. The local community of Laktaši, the business people I communicate with, as well as the population, have a very positive opinion and support this project. How do I contribute? Very simple. 

The Bona Fides Invest platform explains all the ways in which citizens and companies can do this from any part of the world. The translation of the campaign is available in all the most important world languages. It is important to recognize that this is really one small driver of many future activities that will contribute to the development of society and better living conditions for many who have decided to stay here, but also to send an invitation to others to encourage them to return to their ancestral home.

We also need a lot of promoters for the campaign, and anyone who means something in sports, music, or any public action can give their voice of support and spread the word among their followers.

12. List what key partnerships have been achieved so far that have contributed to the campaign. Is there a message of gratitude you would like to convey to those who have already supported or expressed interest in the crowdfunding campaign?

One company from Switzerland initially paid 30,000 euros, but they do not want to stand out publicly and are working to involve their business partners in helping. Also, we want to say big thanks to the owners of the company FERO-TERM from Zagreb for their constant help to our Diocese, especially for their involvement in this campaign, but also for encouraging others to follow their example. 

We are in talks with many native communities of Croats from Bosnia and Herzegovina operating in Croatia and throughout Europe, members of the Bosnian Croat Association Prsten, and many reputable companies interested in support. Church organizations are also interested, and we expect that the news will spread among the faithful of all Croatian parishes and Catholic missions around the world. It is very important to highlight the support we received from the coach of the Croatian national football team, Zlatko Dalić, the Croatian national team player and Manchester City player Mateo Kovačić, and the Croatian composer and singer Marija Husar Rimac.

13. Bosnia and Herzegovina has a complex political structure with entities and a tripartite presidency. In your view, what political reforms or changes would contribute to a more stable and inclusive governance system for the country? Do you believe that the Dayton Agreement, which established the current political framework, is still the most viable solution, or do you see space for a new agreement that better addresses the evolving needs of the country?

I have already mentioned that this complex political structure is one of the biggest obstacles to the development of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Technology has advanced, communication is at the level we saw 30 years ago in sci-fi movies, we live in a turbomodern age, and here we live exclusively in the past, digging into wounds, and sometimes I have the feeling that every day we are going backwards. The European path of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the only correct one, and therefore the European Union should be included in the political arrangement.

Therefore, the political arrangements must now be made precisely in such a way as to ensure the fastest possible reforms adapted to Bosnia and Herzegovina’s entry into the EU. Of course, as I have already emphasized, there is no need for a cantonal division because that creates a lot more administration and increases costs. Three federal units are enough, with three very small parliaments and three governments, and with one government at the BiH level. 

What I think is important for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for all the countries in the region, is that political functions in the parliament or local self-government assembly are not paid to anyone. Individuals should be honored to have the opportunity to be representatives and to take their time to contribute to the development of society. Then we will get successful businessmen in politics who will donate their knowledge and abilities to the development of the environment in which they live, because this will have an even better impact on their business. 

Of course, with a clear law preventing nepotism and corruption. This is how we have many politicians who have never created anything in their lives, and how can we expect them to create for the community? A society led by engineers and visionaries is an advanced society; everything else is just tapping into place. Less than 50 years ago, in Switzerland, women did not have the right to vote, and the national division was great. Today, in Switzerland, people are not interested in who is Italian, who is German, or who is of French origin. Only a prosperous society will transcend national divisions.

14. How can the international community play a constructive role in supporting political stability and development in Bosnia and Herzegovina without infringing on its sovereignty?

I already kind of explained that. The international political community, especially the EU, must be involved in the political arrangements of this country but, in return, provide enough money for quality and root reforms. It is necessary for experts to thoroughly analyze all the potential that Bosnia and Herzegovina has and, in such a way, create projects for potential investors, which there are, but there are no quality projects and there is no arrangement that can guarantee their realization.

15. The Diocese today has only 24,500 believers, which is a substantial decline from the pre-war 120,000. What steps should be taken to address issues related to the return of refugees and displaced persons, ensuring that they can reintegrate into communities with a sense of security and belonging?

Nowhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina did such an exodus occur as in the territory of the Banja Luka Diocese. It is very difficult to talk about a mass return because the people in the areas they went to have already found their new lives. The third generation will have a hard time deciding whether to return. In addition to war casualties, population migrations are also present due to negative economic trends. If the political arrangement that I mentioned and the radical reforms with the help of the EU do not happen, half of the existing population of all three nations will leave in the foreseeable future, and migrants from various poorer countries in the East will come. 

As for specifically Croats, i.e., Catholics from the Banja Luka Diocese, 80% of whom left their homeland, in these 33 years a small number of them have returned. My idea is for the Diocese to design projects, mainly for food production, such as agricultural cooperatives with guaranteed purchase, and to provide sources of financing for these projects, thus enabling the returnees to have an existence waiting for them. Such an approach, especially if it comes from the Diocese, can give a person the assurance that he will not be left behind and that he will have all the help he needs. 

(Photo: Private album)

Of course, all of this encourages the creation of factories for the processing of purchased raw materials and leaves the possibility of establishing joint-stock companies that will encourage the diaspora to buy shares and a greater connection with their homeland. There are countless possibilities. Trust me, it’s not a utopia. All that is needed is good will and agreement among all structures of society.

16. Building cooperation among Croatians, Serbs, and Bosnians is a significant challenge. How can political leaders promote inclusive policies that transcend ethnic and religious divides, facilitate reconciliation processes, acknowledge historical grievances, and promote a shared vision for the future? As well, how can citizens be actively involved in shaping the political landscape and holding leaders accountable for fostering cooperation and unity?

The people are so exhausted with everything that has happened in the last 30 years or so that they can hardly influence any significant changes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I pointed out that the international community must “cut through” and contribute to the final solution, which may not initially satisfy everyone but will lay the foundations for a very quick and effective change in the existential sense. By strengthening economic power and a better standard of living, national divisions will slowly be put aside. Providing people with a better standard of living is the path towards normalizing relations at all levels of society in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

17. In your opinion, what are the current challenges that the Church, both locally and globally, is facing in the contemporary world, and how can we solve them?

Unfortunately, people all over the world have become attached only to this earthly life and do not notice that it is passing—that it is passing faster than ever. They don’t notice that the spirit we carry inside us is the only one that can never be extinguished. 

Unfortunately, Christians, and especially Catholics, who have been given a lot in terms of knowledge, follow the path of world trends and forget about the soul, which is the primary concern of man. I often like to emphasize that only a healthy soul can heal even the sickest body. This is the opposite of the slogan “in a healthy body, a healthy mind”. The Church, i.e., the clerical part of the Church, has become synonymous in the eyes of its believers with that of Peter: “It’s good for us to be here; let’s make three gazebos!”

At every step, I encounter criticism that the Church cares too little for the faithful. The media is constantly against religion and religious dogmas, and a very critical climate is created. We have to get off to a good start, and I would say “dangerous employment” because believers are fleeing the Church en masse in various ways. The dioceses must organize very strong communities, i.e., faith societies that aim to gather dispersed prayer communities under a single “cap”.

The directions of religious devotion must be unified, clear programs must be created, spiritual leadership must be ensured, and the organization itself must be improved. Such concern will not only increase the number of busy believers but also restore confidence that the leadership of the Church is firmly with its flock and that it stands firmly on the foundations of law and tradition. 

We must not and cannot give in to the influences of the modern world, even if such signals come from various institutions at the very top of the Church. We must be consistent with solid Catholic teaching, even if we experience humiliation, disparagement, and criticism. A blessing will come from a complete surrender to God. See the reactions of the evil one to those praying the rosary in the squares. 

This is proof that even greater prayer engagement is needed. It is necessary to expose the Holy Altar Sacrament in all churches throughout the day and gather the people for fasting and prayer. The people of Nineveh, as an ungodly people, announced fasting and prayer at Jonah’s sermon and made radical changes. Today, we too have become mostly Ninevites. It is necessary to put an end to the delusion that all people will be saved.

Father Ilija Kelić (Photo: Private album)

There is no such thing. Jesus warns that they will be cast where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. It’s certainly not paradise. For us Catholics, it is not enough to believe in God. We need sacramental life, and without it, there is no salvation! The sooner we approach such a life, the greater the chances for life both on earth and in eternity!

18. In the end, share with readers your spiritual message.

From my words so far, it is possible to draw the conclusion that I seriously worked on myself to get to where I am. I surrendered to God and called Him to work on me, and He accepted it wholeheartedly, building me into a busy worker in his vineyard. I strongly recommend everyone stand in front of the mirror, analyze themselves well, and start working on themselves.

No one will be able to influence or improve others, but if you improve yourself, if you become a visible friend of Christ, then you will be light and salt in the environment in which you live and work. You will be someone who will inspire others to want to be like you. Get to know God as He is, and then you will love people with all your heart and bring peace, love, and prosperity wherever God’s hand leads you.