Zagreb, (IKA) – The President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, sent a congratulatory message to the newly elected President of the Republic of Croatia, Ivo Josipović, on behalf of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and the faithful of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Croatia.

“By your election as president, you have been entrusted with an honorable and responsible office, which includes concern for the general good and prosperity of all the people in our Homeland, and at the international level the representation of national interests and the promotion of peace and cooperation among peoples and countries.

You are assuming the office of president at a moment when the Croatian state is being confronted by many challenges and its leadership will have to make numerous far-reaching decisions. Therefore, it is the task of all those responsible in our society to broaden the horizons of hope, optimism, solidarity, mutual trust and the promotion of the awareness of the responsibility of all for the common good. In this sense, you have particular responsibility as the President of Croatia.

Aware of the responsibilities entrusted to you, as believers we shall support your activities with prayer, desiring your service to be for the good of all. Furthermore, we desire that through your words and gestures from day to day you will strengthen the Croatian person in his self-awareness and dignity, and contribute to the unity and harmony of the Croatian nation and all the citizens of our country; that with your commitment you will urge people to good and solidarity, to a respect for life and the dignity of every person, and protect and promote the dignity of the family; that with your commitment you will contribute to a positive atmosphere in which the creativity of Croatian people will come to the fore in order to multiply prosperity and achieve overall progress. At the international level, we want you to represent the interests of our country wisely and courageously, and make your contribution so that Croatia enters the community of European nations aware of its identity and wealth of tradition, so that it can “contribute to strengthening the Union as an administrative and territorial unit, and also as a cultural and spiritual reality” (Pope John Paul II, Address at the Airport in Krk, June 5, 2003).

May you in all your endeavors for the good of our people and all in our Homeland be accompanied by the intercession of St. “Fidelissima Mater Advocata Croatiae – The Most Faithful Mother Advocate of Croatia,” emphasized Archbishop Srakić in his congratulatory message.