KOSOVO: Catholics celebrate Easter for first time in independent Kosovo

Record ID: 402367

  • Title: KOSOVO: Catholics celebrate Easter for first time in independent Kosovo
  • Date: 23rd March 2008
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) US SOLDIER BRUCE MARTIN, SAYING: "I actually came out to celebrate Easter because I couldn't be with my family. So I came out to celebrate it, thanks that I have my family back home, wishing that I'd be back home with them."
  • Embargoed: 7th April 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Religion
  • Reuters ID: LVA9S4IUMM3Z3OETA0KT4043G64D
  • Story Text: Catholics celebrate Easter in independent Kosovo.
    Roman Catholic Kosovo Albanians celebrated Easter on Sunday (March 23) for the first time since the country declared independence.
    Most Albanians in Kosovo are at least nominal Muslim but there are small, close-knit Catholic communities in the provincial capital Pristina, the western city of Prizren and a few scattered towns.

    "We feel here very good. At this time we celebrate Easter for the first time in independent and free Kosovo and we are calling to all the people to create peace and love, because nobody wants a country without peace and love," said Bishop Don Lush Gjergji during a ceremony after mass.
    Kosovo has declared its independence from Serbia on February 17.
    Around 30 countries have recognised Kosovo, acknowledging the Western case that forcing its 2 million Albanians to rejoin Serbia after 9 nine years under United Nations rule is not a viable option.
    Easter Sunday marks the day that according to Christian belief, Jesus was resurrected three days after his death by crucifixion.
    END
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