Vjekoslav Curic
Encyclopedia
Vjekoslav "Vjeko" Ćurić (April 26, 1957 in Lupoglav, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- January 31, 1998 in Kigali
, Rwanda
) was a Bosnian Croat priest and humanitarian. He is one of the recognized martyrs of Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena. In Rwanda he is known as "African Oscar Schindler" and a school in Kivumu is named after him.
Minor Seminary in Visoko
, did his Novitiate
in Visoko and theology in Sarajevo
, after which he was ordained. Vjeko entered the Franciscan order on July 15, 1976, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1982 in Sarajevo
. That same year, he went to Paris
to prepare for his missionary calling. On August 18, 1983, he began his missionary activity in Rwanda.
and Tutsi
, when he selflessly worked to help the victims of both groups. He also brought numerous whites (bishops, priests, monks, nuns and others) to safety. When the killing began in Kivumu, people turned to Fra Vjeko for help. He had lived in Nyamabuye 1, Gitarama for more than ten years, and had long worked to promote development in the area. He was well known and loved by his congregation at the Parish of Kivumu; his decision to remain in Rwanda during the genocide brought him to the heart of the local community. When most other expatriates were evacuated, Fr. Vjeko stood by the people of Kivumu during the worst experiences of their lives. He devoted himself to providing practical and medical assistance to the displaced and to helping people escape. Vjeko was outspoken in his condemnation of the violence and continued to preach the values of peace and unity throughout the genocide. More often than not, he was threatened by the Interahamwe
for having stood in their way. In the aftermath, Fr. Vjeko demonstrated his impartiality, helping both Hutus and Tutsis to rebuild their communities. The homes and buildings Fr. Vjeko helped to fund are still standing in Kivumu up to today. He was killed under unclear circumstances on January 31, 1998.
The Franciscan order and Fra Vjeko's Province of Bosna Srebrena received special recognition from the Holy Father
for the work of Fra Vjeko. In order to rescue and help others for the glory of God and love of his neighbor, Fra Vjeko endured a martyr's death, according to the statement by his provincialate. He was buried in Kivumu in a church which he and his congregation had built. Fra Vjeko's provincialate has requested Church officials to have his earthly remains transported to his homeland.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
- January 31, 1998 in Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
) was a Bosnian Croat priest and humanitarian. He is one of the recognized martyrs of Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena. In Rwanda he is known as "African Oscar Schindler" and a school in Kivumu is named after him.
Early years
Vjeko Ćurić was born as a second of six children in a family of Petar Ćurić and Ana. He did his studies at the FranciscanFranciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
Minor Seminary in Visoko
Visoko
Visoko is a city and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina of rich historical heritage. It was an early centre of the Bosnian medieval state, and the site where the first Bosnian king Tvrtko I was crowned. Located between Zenica and Sarajevo, Visoko lies on the Bosna river where the...
, did his Novitiate
Novitiate
Novitiate, alt. noviciate, is the period of training and preparation that a novice monastic or member of a religious order undergoes prior to taking vows in order to discern whether they are called to the religious life....
in Visoko and theology in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
, after which he was ordained. Vjeko entered the Franciscan order on July 15, 1976, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 21, 1982 in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
. That same year, he went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
to prepare for his missionary calling. On August 18, 1983, he began his missionary activity in Rwanda.
Life and work
Fra Vjeko, a young and capable priest, gained worldwide recognition during the time of the violent conflict between the HutuHutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
and Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
, when he selflessly worked to help the victims of both groups. He also brought numerous whites (bishops, priests, monks, nuns and others) to safety. When the killing began in Kivumu, people turned to Fra Vjeko for help. He had lived in Nyamabuye 1, Gitarama for more than ten years, and had long worked to promote development in the area. He was well known and loved by his congregation at the Parish of Kivumu; his decision to remain in Rwanda during the genocide brought him to the heart of the local community. When most other expatriates were evacuated, Fr. Vjeko stood by the people of Kivumu during the worst experiences of their lives. He devoted himself to providing practical and medical assistance to the displaced and to helping people escape. Vjeko was outspoken in his condemnation of the violence and continued to preach the values of peace and unity throughout the genocide. More often than not, he was threatened by the Interahamwe
Interahamwe
The Interahamwe is a Hutu paramilitary organization. The militia enjoyed the backing of the Hutu-led government leading up to, during, and after the Rwandan Genocide. Since the genocide, they have been forced out of Rwanda, and have sought asylum in Congo...
for having stood in their way. In the aftermath, Fr. Vjeko demonstrated his impartiality, helping both Hutus and Tutsis to rebuild their communities. The homes and buildings Fr. Vjeko helped to fund are still standing in Kivumu up to today. He was killed under unclear circumstances on January 31, 1998.
The Franciscan order and Fra Vjeko's Province of Bosna Srebrena received special recognition from the Holy Father
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
for the work of Fra Vjeko. In order to rescue and help others for the glory of God and love of his neighbor, Fra Vjeko endured a martyr's death, according to the statement by his provincialate. He was buried in Kivumu in a church which he and his congregation had built. Fra Vjeko's provincialate has requested Church officials to have his earthly remains transported to his homeland.