Zagreb (IKA) – The Letter from the Croatian Bishops on the Occasion of Negotiations for the Accession of the Republic of Croatia to the European Union was presented at a press conference on Monday, March 22, at the Secretariat of the CCB in Zagreb. Members of the Permanent Council of the CCB and the Episcopal Commission of the CCB for the EU participated in the presentation.
During the introduction, the president of the CCB, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, explained that the publication of this document will end conjectures regarding the bishops’ position toward the European Union and the accession of Croatia to the EU. We are not Eurosceptics. We wish to encourage the faithful to accept the reality of that which started several decades ago, i.e., the unity of Europe and the unity of the whole world, and the unity of the world is a Christian idea, said Archbishop Srakić.
The president of the Episcopal Commission of the CCB for the EU, Archbishop Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, said that the bishops address the Catholic public but also the general public in this letter, and mentioned that the legitimate Croatian authorities initiated the process of the accession of Croatia to the EU and are conducting negotiations. This noted, we wish to point out what constitutes an advantage on this path and some potential problems that arise, said the cardinal, and discussed the content of the letter, which consists of four parts. The first part emphasizes what the founders of the EU wanted, the second part discusses the Popes’ attitudes toward the EU, the third part speaks about the problems and prospects of the EU, while the last part presents the attitude of Croatia toward the EU. The European Union is not of yesterday. Its origins date back to the period following the Second World War, while the idea of mutual connectedness and union was born in that part of Europe which was not under communism, said the cardinal, recalling how the founders of the European Union launched an initiative from the perspective of faith in the good of Europe and mankind.
He also recalled that Pope John Paul II was one of the first on the European continent to begin speaking about a united Europe, and this during the communist period when it was not pleasant to hear. All the popes after the Second World War generally had a positive attitude toward the unity of the European nations and states. However, they also warned about some problems. On several occasions and in various ways, Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI particularly welcomed Croatian efforts to join the European Union but at the same time cautioned that it was necessary to preserve our identity. With respect for the Croatian heritage, Croatia has been invited to make its contribution to the European Union, emphasized Cardinal Bozanić.
Archbishop Ivan Devčić of Rijeka warned about the particular nature of the European Union, because for the first time in history nations and states have been associated on a voluntary basis. He also pointed out the democratic functioning within the EU and the fact that the procedures for voting and decision-making are regulated. The expansion of the European Union thus far has partially fulfilled Pope John Paul II’s dream that Europe would be united from the Atlantic to the Urals. Following Pope John Paul II, the Church has a vision of one Europe. The letter mentions that the EU was created as a guarantee for a lasting peace among the nations in the Union, noting its economic stability. These are some of the advantages and prospects that guarantee success, said Archbishop Devčić. Speaking of problems, he mentioned nationalism, significant economic differences among the members, disagreements regarding socioeconomic and foreign policies, and unprincipled behavior. He also expressed concern for minorities and their future because they should not be allowed to disappear; they must be preserved and protected since they are the foundation of European solidarity. It is also necessary to mention the loss of values perceived in the current EU and thus the concomitant loss of the Christian heritage, accompanied by agnosticism, and the question of the loss of Christian morality, abortion, experimentation with embryos, euthanasia, same-sex marriages and the discarding of Christian symbols.
Archbishop Devčić said that the fourteenth item speaks about the role of the Church. The Church does not relinquish its public mission in the promotion of human dignity, freedom of religion and conscience; respect for life, marriage and the family; and commitment to the general good of mankind in the economic, political, social, cultural and educational areas. The Church does not flee from the new Europe. It does not flee from approaching it but in a specific way makes its own contribution to the spreading of the Good News and the Gospel, i.e., Christ who breaks down all obstacles, said Archbishop Devčić.
The newly appointed archbishop of Zadar, Msgr. Želimir Puljić, referred to the last chapter on the relationship between Croatia and the European Union. He stressed that Europe and the European Union are not the same, and that Europe is not only a geographical reality but also a historical and cultural reality, imprinted by Christianity. We are not foreigners in Europe. We do not lack “identification papers and personal baggage.” We are recognizable by our own name, by which others recognize us and, thus recognized, we respond to the invitation with pride. Only as such, with our own name and identity, culture and history, is it possible for us to build the new European home with others, in mutual respect, based upon the truth about mankind. That is why it is not the same to us what the new Europe will be like. In it, we want to be able to recognize ourselves, our past and present, but also to look toward the future with confidence and hope, stressed Archbishop Puljić, and cautioned that, therefore, as the Croatian nation and state, we make a positive contribution and have a calling in Europe, preserving the truth about mankind, marriage, Sunday and all the values that are explicitly Christian.
In response to questions by journalists, Cardinal Bozanić, the president of the Episcopal Commission of the CCB for the EU, particularly highlighted the importance of being well informed and warned that various contents are frequently offered under the banner of the European Union and the need for accession to the EU but which have nothing to do with the structure of the EU. Therefore, it is necessary to differentiate that which is within the competence of the EU from that within the competence of the national authorities.