Zagreb, June 14, 1999 (IKA) – A research project entitled “Religion and Morality in Croatia,” published in the professional journal Bogoslovska smotra 68 (1998), No. 4, was presented at the Catholic School of Theology in Zagreb. The project leader, Prof. Marijan Valković, Ph.D., spoke about the undertaking, initial difficulties and links with other studies in Europe. In his presentation, Prof. Valković said that the impetus for this study came from the head of the Croatian Catholic Radio Station, Dr. Mirko Mataušić, who wanted to know the size of the radio audience. It was, therefore, decided to conduct a public opinion poll. The project also involved young sociologists working with theologians. In this study, 1,245 persons were surveyed out of a planned 1,300, which is a very good response. The questionnaire consisted of 71 questions and 231 variables. Prof. Valković noted the importance of the study for three areas: the social sciences and the society in general, Church pastoral activity and theology. A project associate, Ivan Rimac, pointed out that such a project could not have been implemented during the former communist regime because the subjects would not have been permitted to state everything they thought, nor would researchers have been permitted to ask whatever they wanted, since the research study included questions on religion, politics and social relations. Prof. Josip Baloban, Ph.D., discussed the significance of the study from the aspect of pastoral theology and links with the project “Europaeische Wertestudie – 99.” He pointed out that the success of pastoral theology is most evident in the communication and cooperation between theological theory and Church practice. He added that sociological research and pastoral observations provide subtle and detailed insights into the current state of faith in the Church and society. He concluded at the end of his presentation that the study published in Bogoslovska smotra is of exceptional, perhaps even epochal significance, not only for practical theology but for theology in Croatia in general. He added that theologians and pastoral workers must confront certain revelations indicating pastoral turning points and new pastoral models. The secretary of the Center for the Promotion of the Social Doctrine of the Church of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Gordan ?rpić, presented the results obtained. According the questionnaire, 89.7 percent of the subjects surveyed are Catholics. The study indicates that approximately 30 percent of these attend Sunday Mass. Approximately 60 percent of the Catholics go to confession each year, and approximately 75 percent take communion, which indicates that some Catholics are taking communion without going to confession first. Daily prayer is practiced by 30 percent of the Catholics in Croatia, and in 10 percent of the families there is family prayer at least once a week. Regarding the formation of religious identity in Croatia, Ćrpić pointed out that according to the survey, the family has the greatest influence in approximately 70 percent of those surveyed. It is interesting that approximately 32 percent of the Catholics surveyed accept the concept of reincarnation, which is in complete contradiction to Catholic belief. Approximately 80 percent of the persons surveyed consider abortion to be the termination of a new life, and 25 percent are in favor of legally prohibiting abortion. Regarding public institutions, the media have the lowest confidence in Croatia, which does not signify that the media have low influence upon the society. The study indicates that in contrast to other media, Croatian Catholic Radio enjoys a very high degree of confidence among listeners and has a daily audience of approximately 100,000. It can be concluded that a change has occurred in the institutional system. However, from the sociological aspect, mental attitudes change slowly and there has not been a change in the value system. Ćrpić emphasized that the survey indicates that a new model is being created, that a religious transition has occurred. He added that the Catholic mentality represents a great challenge: some lean toward connection with past forms, the so-called fundamental current, while the another current which is open to dialogue attempts to confront the present situation.