Zadar, (IKA) – On the occasion of the completion of negotiations between Croatia and the European Union, the Archbishop of Zadar, Želimir Puljić, a member of the Commission of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Relations with the European Union, explained how he views the development of this process within the context of the Letter from the Croatian Bishops published by Glas Koncila in March 2010. The Croatian Conference of Bishops issued this letter on the occasion of the negotiations for Croatian accession to the European Union and established a commission for monitoring these processes.
“The bishops want to be active participants in this creation and process at the moment, encouraging responsible attitudes and responsible legislation. I think that the negotiations did not have to take so long because Croatia really means something, it has meant something, it is an integral part of the European corpus, and as an active subject it is natural for it to be an active agent in Europe and a factor in this future,” said the archbishop.
The decision for the conclusion of the negotiations was greeted “with some surprise that Europe had waited so long, that it vetted Croatia so much. I am sorry that Europe did not recognize Croatia as a part of itself, because for centuries Croatia has been a part of Central European reality. We are not entering Europe; we are Europe. Europe was initially created in the Mediterranean region. Now the unification of the European nations and states is happening. This is a new reality and it was not necessary for Croatia to be mistreated for so long. It is normal that we belong to this European circle. I did not experience the completion of negotiations with euphoria. I was surprised that it did not happen earlier,” said Msgr. Puljić.
The fact that Croatia was the first country that had to meet a series of criteria to become a new member is viewed by the archbishop as a warning that we should enter this new reality with caution, awareness, freedom and responsibility. “If we have been so thoroughly examined, if we have passed through so many X-rays, we probably have something that may not suit this new concept. It is necessary to bear in mind that if we have been screened, this means that modeling something new is desired and we are not exactly for modeling. We have always been faithful to our roots and heritage. Now we have to be aware that as we enter this new Europe, we must remain faithful to our heritage, while accepting the new union. The Church has from its beginnings been a force of globalization that connected the peoples of Europe and made of them a great community. However, we must be aware that we are bringing our baggage with us, our first and last names. Others should continue to recognize us by our first and last names, as we must recognize them,” said Msgr. Puljić.
“In our country, many things are politicized. Many of the negotiated elements have not been adequately presented to the public. Now, when the referendum comes, it is the responsibility of those who began and completed this process to present it to the people in order for them to make their decision. Accession to the European Union will acquire legitimacy only when the people accept it. However, the people can only accept it when they have the full and real truth about everything that has been negotiated and what everything means,” said Archbishop Puljić.
The bishops wrote that with great people it is necessary to speak from positions of principle, and not on one’s knees, while cautioning that in this new association the celebration of the Day of the Lord has been not been afforded its due importance. We wanted to say that the new Europe cannot ignore that upon which it grew, the value of Sunday. Unfortunately, we are living at a time when distortions of the person and marriage are promoted in the name of democracy. We do not accept a new association that will propose or dictate a false image of the person and family. The Croatian Catholic family celebrates Mass on Sunday – we are known for this, in this way our families are incorporated into the tissue of the Church. This is what we are brining into that association and I would not like it if we were not recognized for it,” cautioned Msgr. Puljić.
The archbishop also stressed the responsibility of Christian citizens in the election of those in authority. A secular state is acceptable to the Church but not ideological secularism that deprives Christians of the freedom to confess what they believe. “Democracy offers everyone the opportunity to say, choose and promote what he wants. In this context, Christians are called to be responsible. If we are not vigilant, if we are not aware and if we do not work hard, it is clear that we have what we have. The Church does not condone laziness, passivity and secularism, imposing themselves as if they were some kind of a future, without faith, God and the Church. There is no secular state that does not need to have a place for God, in which it is necessary to drive him into the sacristy or throw him off the world stage. God has the last word. Committed Christians in positions of public life and politicians must be aware of this. We are for the separation of Church and State but we are not for the secularism that excludes God and religion from society,” warned Archbishop Želimir Puljić.