Zagreb, (IKA) – The Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, issued an Easter message in which he warns that in the Croatian society we are increasingly witnessing unfortunate events and circumstances in which individuals and families are at the limits of their endurance. “We cannot remain indifference before painful experiences, such as difficulties in finding employment, especially among the young, the loss of one’s home, parents’ inability to support and educate their children, and the growing numbers of those who depend on the assistance of charitable and other social institutions,” said the cardinal and paid tribute to all the personnel and supporters of Caritas, which has increased its efforts to provide assistance to the most disadvantaged.
The Archbishop of Zagreb mentioned with regret that recently some situations with bank loans have plunged thousands of Croatian citizens into poverty, and many of them to an existential breakdown. “It is difficult to avoid the impression that this is not a question of usury in the legal sense because it creates benefits for one side (banks) and losses for the other side (Croatian citizens) in obvious disproportion. Unfortunately, it seems that already from the beginning the control mechanisms that are supposed to prevent citizens have failed, while in some countries the central banks have prevented similar processes on their financial markets (for example, Austria),” said Cardinal Bozanić. Moreover, he mentioned that Pope Francis, while he was still the Archbishop of Buenos Aires, spoke about the new imperialism of money that can impoverish many families in an instant. As Pope, he has explicitly condemned usury and urged state institutions to prevent it and reinforce their commitment to its victims.
“In the case of Croatia, I appeal to all those responsible and involved in the serious situation of bank loans to find a solution and a fair distribution of the burden within the framework of the system. Now no one has the right to wash his hands as Pilate did, especially anyone who has not done what was required. The state authorities must block attempts to resolve this issue in a merely cosmetic manner because every time a problem is swept under the rug, new difficulties and tensions are created, which threaten the civil peace. In order to prevent similar events, the state should be required to approach better legal regulation prudently. I recommend that the faithful and all people of good will should beware of aggressive advertising that promises cheap earnings. Since the Holy Scripture is a permanent message, inspiration can be found in the Old Testament book of Sirach for some aspects of modern life: “Do not become a glutton and a drunkard with nothing in your purse” (Sir 18:33). I feel that we need much more caution, unity, communication, solidarity, mutual respect and sensitivity. This is especially true when it comes to the most vulnerable in society. Before these developments, it is necessary to find the strength and new political will, and initiate the social mechanisms that will open horizons of hope,” said the Archbishop of Zagreb.