"I'm very concerned about the hatred smoldering at many levels. A just society and mutual trust and reconciliation are not built on hatred and exclusion," he said at a traditional Christmas reception in Sarajevo for representatives of religious communities and government officials.
Puljic said Christmas was a motive for people to come together again to build and protect the genuine values together. He added that the family, as a foundation of every society, was among the most important ones. "That's why we call on responsible domestic and world leaders to do everything to protect the family."
The cardinal said he expected all societal structures to finally start appreciating man and building a society custom-made for man. "Talk of human rights should stop because that is God-given, and we must provide the conditions for those rights to be exercised."