The regular annual meeting of the bishops with religious provincials was held on June 5, 2013, in Zagreb, at the headquarters of the Croatian Conference of Bishops. (Ksaverska cesta 12a). The participants were welcomed by the President of the CCB, Msgr. Želimir Puljić, Archbishop of Zadar, and the President of the Croatian Conference of Religious Superiors, Fr. Vinko Mamić. During the working portion of the meeting, the bishops and religious superiors discussed communities and movements in the Church, emphasizing the positive aspects and open questions regarding their activities within the ministry of the Church. The discussion was focused on liturgical and other celebrations by charismatic groups, as well as the need for canonical mission.
It was noted, unfortunately, that there are representatives of Catholic movements who believe that their mission comes directly from the Holy Spirit, so they do not need the canonical permission of their lawful superiors. Long ago, the Apostle Paul asked can people preach, unless they are sent (Romans, 10:15).
While the passivity of a large number of the lay faithful in the Church is noted, there is also the necessity and question of how to help those who want to devote more time to evangelization and the apostolate but are doing so without a mission, without connection to the official Church. True, the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity (AA 3) states: “The laity derive the right and duty to the apostolate from their union with Christ the head.” However, the same decree also emphasizes the following: “…union with those whom the Holy Spirit has assigned to rule His Church is an essential element of the Christian apostolate” (AA 23). When this union is lacking, difficulties of a theological and psychological nature arise. Prof. Nikola Vranješ, Ph.D., of Rijeka cited the Five Criteria of Ecclesiality that help the laity and associations, as stipulated by the Blessed John Paul II in the Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici (No. 30).
The discussion was introduced by Fr. Mijo Nikić, Ph.D., who in addition to the positive elements of such encounters, also pointed out the dangers to be borne in mind. Among other things, he presented some practical guidelines that should be observed by those involved in them. He also noted that at these meetings the pursuit of extraordinary and unusual phenomena which are produced by rituals, the laying on of hands, songs and emotionally charged shouting are not uncommon. There is almost no place for silence. A complete picture of Christ is missing, who requires and seeks sacrifice and self-denial, all the way to martyrdom (St. Thomas Aquinas). “But first seek the kingdom (of God),’ said Jesus, ‘and all these things will be given to you besides.” It was emphasized that there is a serious risk for religion to be reduced to paramedicine. Therefore, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has issued Instructions for Prayers for Healing (September 14, 2000), in which anything resembling hysteria, artificiality, theatricality or sensationalism, above all on the part of those who are in charge of such gatherings, must not take place.
In this context, it was said that some bishops are vigilant about what happens in movements and seminars. However, some also react decisively when there are abuses and deviations from the liturgical and other Church standards and regulations.
Regarding pastoral ministry and service, it was concluded that it is necessary to refocus New Evangelization on the purpose of Jesus Christ, so that Jesus and not healing, His defeat at Calvary and not success, His passion and suffering and not a quiet and peaceful life should be offered at meetings, seminars and spiritual exercises. A good and educational model in this regard is provided to us by the Blessed Chiara Badano, who at the suggestion that she pray for a miraculous healing answered: “I am not seeking a miracle healing because I feel that this is not in God’s plan. The Lord will know when to put an end to my suffering.” People confronted by suffering also have a model in the Blessed John Paul II, who bore his illness steadfastly and bravely until the last day of his earthly life. We are celebrating the tenth anniversary of his third Apostolic Visit to our country these days.
New Evangelization requires humble spirituality that accepts the will of God and trusts in his Providence. The correct sacramental devotion by which we obtain grace is the path that aligns us with God’s will. We do not seek spiritual gurus who bind souls to themselves and practically enslave them but instead we need genuine pastors who are faithful to the Church and who want to share the fate of the poor because they seek the lost, comfort the bereaved and reconcile sinners with God.
In the afternoon portion of the session, the Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Alessandro D’Errico, expressed greetings to the participants. The bishops, according to the directives of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, dated May 3, 2011, discussed and adopted Guidelines for Dealing with the Cases of the Sexual Abuse of Minors. The Guidelines are intended to help bishops in seeking the truth and justice, punishing the perpetrators and healing wounds. They are also a visible sign of the concern that the Church has for the victims of sexual abuse and any other form of violence and exploitation. The Guidelines will be sent to the appropriate congregation for approval.
The Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Life and the Family prepared a review of the thesis for the draft of a proposed Statement on the Family Act, which it will issue as a contribution to public debate. From this session, the bishops issued a message on the occasion of the decision by the Constitutional Court on the Health Education Curriculum. The message is primarily addressed to parents and urges them to engage in public debate on the proposed contents of the Health Education Curriculum, especially sex education. The bishops hope that the representatives of parents’ council in schools will exercise their rights and in accordance with their religious affiliations critically assess those parts of the contents that threaten the integrity of the child and his Christian identity.
Secretariat of the Croatian Conference of Bishops