Religious Identities in a Contested Borderland: Vulnerability and Resilience in Orthodox-Catholic Relations Between Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Lana Peternel,  Nikolina Hazdovac Bajić  

Religious institutions and identities shape both vulnerability and resilience within communities. This paper explores how Orthodox and Catholic communities in the contested borderland between Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) negotiate religious power, identity, and perceived vulnerability. Despite their proximity, these cities reflect different religious dynamics: Catholicism dominates in Dubrovnik, where the Orthodox community remains a minority, while the Serbian Orthodox Church (SOC) is central in Trebinje, reinforcing local identity in opposition to Catholicism and Western influences. Religion thus serves as both a protective and divisive force in these contexts. Drawing on peoplehood (Lackenby, 2023), this study examines how religious identity is shaped by historical narratives and collective memory. In Trebinje, the SOC positions itself as a protector of Orthodoxy, fostering a sense of historical vulnerability. In Dubrovnik, Orthodox believers navigate marginalization through invisibility and social adaptation, maintaining their presence in a predominantly Catholic environment. These contrasting strategies highlight how religious minorities manage vulnerability in different socio-political settings. The paper also explores Catholic-Orthodox cooperation, particularly in cultural heritage preservation, as a potential avenue for religious resilience. While tensions persist, these initiatives illustrate how shared historical narratives and collaboration can mitigate religious vulnerability. Furthermore, the study considers how institutional and legal frameworks shape the recognition and protection of religious minorities. By examining these dynamics, this paper contributes to broader discussions on how religion reinforces or alleviates vulnerability in contested spaces, while also addressing the role of religious institutions in either maintaining divisions or fostering resilience in post-Yugoslav contexts.