Zagreb, (IKA) – Participants in the 40th Plenary Assembly of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences met today, October 1, with the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipović, in his office.

“The family is the basic unit upon which every society is built and faces great challenges today,” said President Josipović in his words of greeting.

On behalf of the bishops participating in the Plenary Assembly, President Josipović was greeted by the President of the CCEE, Archbishop Peter Cardinal Erdö of Esztergom-Budapest, who said that the bishops are joyfully observing the vitality of the Church in Croatia, as well as its efforts to cooperate and have good relations with the public authorities, in order to promote the common good and the integral development of the human person together. “Here we sense a type of European crossroads and precisely therefore your European identity is so ingrained and appreciated,” said Cardinal Erdő. The theme of the Plenary Assembly is the family, which the cardinal said is not only the concern of the Church but also of all European citizens.

“The health of the family and the health of the society are mutually connected,” said the cardinal, adding that he knows that Croatia is devoting attention to this issue and attempting to assist families in order to prevent excessive population aging.

“It is our belief that at this moment the Church and public authorities must increasingly cooperate with each other for the benefit of the society as a whole,” said Cardinal Erdő, who presented President Josipović with an icon depicting the patron saints of Europe.