Zagreb, (IKA) – The secretary for relations with states of the Holy See, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, concelebrated Mass at the Zagreb Cathedral on the Feast of Pentecost, June 4, together with Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb; the apostolic nuncio in the republic of Croatia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano; Zagreb canons and prebendaries. Also present at the celebration in the overflowing Zagreb Cathedral were representatives of the civil authorities and diplomatic corps, including the minister of foreign affairs and European integration, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, and the ambassador of the Republic of Croatia to the Holy See, Dr. Emilio Marin.

Thanking Cardinal Bozanić for his warm welcome, Archbishop Lajolo pointed out that his presence at this celebration was “a new token of the special historical ties, profound mutual respect and active desire for cooperation that have always bound the Holy See with this country, which was able to remain united through the power of its faith in Christ, overcome external and internal difficulties, and achieve great goals of culture and civilization.”

In his sermon, Archbishop Lajolo discussed God’s gift of the Holy Spirit and pointed out that the great progression of the Church in human history began as the divine and increasing unification of nations into a new united entity. Today, when there are attempts to organize the plurality of European nations into a new and powerful united entity, there is a two-fold message. The first message is that the durability of this new union of nations of various languages is an illusion if there is the desire to exclude God. Creation without the Creator disappears. It must never be forgotten that the law of God, who created man and knows his most genuine and profound needs, is the law that corresponds to the individual and social nature of a person and protects his genuine freedom. To neglect this law means to build upon sand, said the archbishop. The second message is that if we do not commemorate the magnificent works of God, we lose our sense of the dimensions that our future can have. Europe, who would like to ignore her own Christian roots, would ignore that which is great and good, and that which our ancestors received from the Christian faith and transmitted to us. Would it not be incredible blindness if we no longer recognized the significance of our magnificent cathedrals – the creations of faith, art and civilization – erected as the emblems of our cities; if we no longer recognized the meaning of those values of faith, courage, unselfishness, service and philanthropy that made the civilization of the European nations humane and free? To commemorate our Christian roots – the magnificent works of God in our history – remains a prerequisite in order for future generations to be able to enjoy the precious fruits of the Spirit, said archbishop Lajolo.

Before dispensing the Pentecostal blessing, Archbishop Lajolo said, “The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the gift of tongues, but he only taught me a few words in the Croatian language: draga braćo i sestre (dear brothers and sisters) and hvala (thank you). These words are the most important. They actually say everything because they include us in the love that God has for us. With these feelings, I especially convey the love that Pope Benedict XVI has for you. Before I left, he explicitly told me: ‘Don’t forget to convey my heartfelt greetings to everyone! Especially the old, sick and those in need!’ The Pope is close to everyone in affection and hope. I also wish to convey my gratitude to all of you. Your faith, that of those present and all Croatians, has provided me with support in my office. It supports and strengthens me in order to bring the word of the gospel into this area of international politics. Hvala!”

The Mass was enhanced by the Cathedral Choir of Theology Students and Choral Singers, conducted by Miroslav Martinjak and accompanied on the organ by Prof. Neven Kraljić, and simultaneously broadcast by Croatian television (HTV2), Croatian Radio, Croatian Catholic Radio and Radio Marija.

Archbishop Lajolo is on an official visit to the Republic of Croatia at the invitation of Minister Grabar-Kitarović. From June 3 to 7, the Vatican “minister of foreign affairs” will visit Marija Bistrica, Vukovar, Osijek and Đakovo, and meet with President Stjepan Mesić, Prime Minister Ivo Sanader and Minister Grabar-Kitarović. Another reason for Archbishop Lajolo’s visit is the commemoration of Croatian Diplomacy Day on June 7. On this day in the year 879, Pope John VIII sent a letter to Prince Branimir in which he recognized his worldly authority over all of Croatia, a document that played an exceptional role in the achievement of Croatian independence.