Zagreb, (IKA) – This year, Caritas Sunday will be commemorated on December 14 with the slogan “Love Endures All Things.” Jesus’ commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” expresses the truth that it can only be good for an individual if he strives to do good for the people around him and wishes them well … (from a message by the president of Croatian Caritas, Bishop Josip Mrzljak). The Holy Scripture text “the Hymn of Love” emphasizes the centrality of love as the basis for harmonious relations among people. The events that have characterized the past several months and incidents of verbal and physical aggression and violence clearly and terrifyingly bear witness to the lack of love. Therefore, in preparing this topic, specific materials have been included concerning violence among children and young persons.

In cooperation with UNICEF, which for several years has conducted a campaign in Croatian schools entitled “Stop Violence among Children,” a DVD has been prepared with a variety of contents in connection with the topic of violence among children. The DVD is intended for students, catechists, parents, teachers and educational personnel in elementary and secondary schools and all who are interested in this topic. Posters and DVDs were delivered to all the parishes, elementary schools and secondary schools in Croatia during late November.

The interactive DVD includes a message from Bishop Mrzljak that will read at Masses on Caritas Sunday, December 14, or published in parish newsletters. It also includes eight catecheses that thematically deal with the “Hymn of Love,” suitable for the instruction of elementary and secondary school students, accompanied by the Handbook for the Prevention of Peer Violence. The Handbook, published by Most d.o.o., consists of eight titles by leading world experts, translated into the Croatian language, in connection with the topic of violence among children and young persons. The DVD also includes two television advertisements and banners for the UNICEF Campaign for the Prevention of Electronic Violence.