Zagreb, November 30, 1999 (IKA) — Archbishop Nikola Eterović, the apostolic nuncio in the Ukraine, who at the invitation of Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb is visiting his Croatian homeland, held a press conference in Zagreb on November 29. In addition to Archbishop Eterović, his host, Archbishop Bozanić, participated in the press conference.
Presenting a brief review of his three months of service as the apostolic nuncio in the Ukraine, Archbishop Eterović pointed out that in that country the Catholic community is “very lively” and holds regular ecumenical encounters with the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Regarding the fact that he is also the titular bishop of the Sisak Diocese, Nuncio Eterović expressed satisfaction because thereby “memories are renewed of this celebrated diocese” that connects the Croatian south and north.
When asked whether it is possible to consider the Republic of Croatia to be a “Catholic state,” Archbishop Eterović said that he thinks that following the Second Vatican Council it is not possible to speak of so-called “Catholic states.” However, there are countries in which the Catholic Church exists and representatives of the society must take into account the number of Catholics. This is also clearly evident in the contracts between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia regarding legal questions. Clear principles are stipulated in Article 1 concerning mutual cooperation between the Catholic Church and the Republic of Croatia. “To have a contract with the Holy See does not signify that a country is Catholic,” cautioned Archbishop Eterović, noting that at the beginning of this year the Holy See signed a contract with Estonia, last year with Kazakhstan, while in the past several years it has signed contracts with the former communist countries of Poland, Hungary and eight federal states in the Federal Republic of Germany. In this connection, Archbishop Eterović also responded to a journalist’s question about whether our contracts place the other religious communities at a disadvantage, and whether the Catholic Church is favored, in reference to a media assertion that on the basis of the fourth contract all the property confiscated under communism will be returned to the Catholic Church, in a different manner than for other legal and physical persons.
“I believe that life itself poses some questions and solutions. Mere legal principles are not sufficient unto themselves. However, these principles must be applied. Concordats have the historical experience, and we can say justification, that these legal norms are put into practice,” said Nuncio Eterović, citing specific examples of concordats or contracts signed by the Holy See and individual countries. Regarding the allegation that inequality of the other religious communities in the Republic of Croatia would arise because of these contracts, the papal nuncio presented the example of the signing of the concordat between the Holy See and Poland. He said that at the beginning, the other religious communities in Poland were very reserved and even critically disposed but eventually concluded that all the rights of the Catholic Church were also held by the other religious communities.
“It is not true that everything that was nationalized will be returned to the Catholic Church but only what is possible,” said Archbishop Eterović, responding to a question on the alleged privilege enjoyed by the Catholic Church. The bishop emphasized that the anticipated return of property, particularly property which the Catholic Church deems necessary for pastoral activity, as well exchanges and other forms of compensation, are all stipulated in the Restitution of Nationalized Property Act.
Archbishop Eterović mentioned that his meeting with Dr. Mate Granić, minister of foreign affairs in the Republic of Croatia, followed protocol. During the meeting, he inquired about President Tuđman’s health and conveyed his prayers and those of the Catholic community for the President.
In response to a request for a comment on date of the forthcoming elections in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Bozanić said that the Croatian bishops continue to stand behind the statement issued in Varaždin by the Croatian Conference of Bishops, no more and no less. The president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops also announced that the public would receive a full statement on this matter from the Croatian bishops that afternoon.