We Croatian bishops, assembled at our regular session in Krk from October 20 to 23, 2002, deem it necessary to contact the believers and all people of goodwill in our homeland with whom we share joy and hope, sorrows and anxieties (cf. Gaudium et Spes, No. 1) and under the current difficult circumstances to present the standpoints and principles that we as shepherds are obligated to proclaim at all times (cf. 2 Tim 4:2) and which represent a sound foundation for coexistence and a starting point for dialogue among the various members of society, as well as international institutions.

1. Our people, as do all other peoples, has the right to a life of dignity in our own country, based, among other things, upon an objective evaluation of its struggle for freedom. During our defensive war, we suffered and prayed with our people. Now, we urge all believers and citizens to build the homeland in harmony and love, respecting God’s commandments and wholeheartedly promoting Christian and humane values that the war called into question among the individuals and peoples who live in these territories.

2. At the present moment, a high degree of unity is evident regarding the objective truth about the defensive war waged by our people, to protect the dignity of its defenders and those to whom we are the most indebted for our freedom. Such unity had made it possible for us to defend ourselves and survive in these territories throughout history. Also today, this is a guarantee that we shall be able to overcome internal postwar problems and external pressures successfully. In this sense, it continues to be necessary to support the general good of the nation and country steadfastly, and to relegate the interests of individuals and group interests to second place. There is no doubt that for the common good, it is of crucial importance to cultivate dialogue and mutual cooperation among all the citizens who were wounded by the war. Some postwar events have made these wounds even deeper. The most serious consequences of the war were not the destruction of homes and hospitals, schools and factories, but that which was destroyed inside of people and in their mutual relations. We therefore call for mutual acceptance, forgiveness and reconciliation to overcome the roots of evil and every conflict.

3. We further emphasize that in the evaluation of the defensive actions by the internationally recognized Republic of Croatia, it is necessary to keep the overall context of the wartime events in mind. The wartime events on Croatian territory must not be isolated from their historical context, nor should the consequences be considered without taking their causes into account. Otherwise, it will not be possible to arrive at the objective truth, which is the only thing that will set us free (cf. John 8:32). Individual segments are not completely isolated acts that are independent of causes and circumstances. After the proclamation of the Croatian state and its international recognition, every citizen had the duty and right to defend its integrity and sovereignty. This means that in order to achieve a just and correct attitude toward the events of war, so that each person will be responsible for his or her own acts, it is necessary to examine every individual act within the context of the war, together with its causes and consequences. The individual who defends himself, both subjectively and objectively, finds himself under different circumstances than those who attack. If this is forgotten by the international and domestic courts or not sufficiently taken into account, an impression equating the victims with the aggressors results. This is unacceptable because, among other things, it creates distrust toward both the government and the international institutions. It must not be forgotten that all courts also have a pedagogical purpose: to discourage the intentions of those who inflict evil and to encourage and stimulate good intentions.

4. One of the foundations of the principles of the social doctrine of the Church is that peace is the work of justice and the fruit of love. In building peace, it is necessary to take the satisfaction of justice into account. However, an unjust approach disseminates a sense of powerlessness, hopelessness and loss among the citizens. The painful impression is created that attempts to fight for just relations and status are in vain, with a sense that noble and justified aspirations have been defeated. Such an atmosphere is not auspicious for coexistence, dialogue, forgiveness or a community that is ready to forgive the other and forgive everything. This cannot be a good starting point for achieving the goals which the international community has set for itself, however ultimately honest and desirable they are. With all due gratitude to the international institutions for what they have done to stop the war and establish peace, we are concerned about some proceedings that do not justify expectations that the objective truth about the war and suffering in our homeland would come to light during the postwar period.

5. In conclusion, as we urge all people of goodwill to accept this message with benevolence, we appeal to believers to persist in praying for the homeland. The month of October is the month of praying the Rosary. During the war, it was precisely this prayer that united us in our faith in God and protected us in our community. The Holy Father has recently given us the document The Rosary of the Virgin Mary, in which he also introduces the new “Mysteries of Light.” May the prayer of the Rosary by individuals, families and parishes illuminate the conscience of every believer and citizen of the Republic of Croatia, as well as all responsible persons in the country and the world! May all of us be illuminated by the light of new hope in a peaceful future for each individual, our entire nation and all the citizens of the Republic of Croatia.

On the Feast of St. John Capistrano, the apostle for the unity of Europe, October 23, 2002. Bishops of the CCB