Rijeka, April 3, 1999 (IKA) – The Justitia et Pax Commission of the Croatian Conference of Bishops issued a public statement concerning the NATO attack on the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the Kosovo crisis. The statement, which we present in its entirety, was signed by the president of the Commission, Bishop Ivan Milovan of Poreč-Pula.
“Christian conscience cannot remain mute and without harsh condemnation of the horrors afflicting multitudes of innocent people occurring in our immediate vicinity during these days of Easter. Hundreds of thousands of Kosovars of Albanian ethnic nationality are being forced to abandon their homes and depart for unknown destinations. Many have already been cruelly murdered. Endless numbers have been living for days without a roof over their heads, without food and water, without basic health care. Their houses have been demolished, their property burned, their documents destroyed, their identities erased. Humanitarian assistance does not or barely reaches them. We fear that many of them will not be permitted to return to their homes, that many will never regain in any place the necessary prerequisite for a life of dignity. At the same time, throughout the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, explosions echo from the most modern weaponry. Millions of dollars are being spent daily on warfare that is supposed to force the authorities to desist from their behavior toward a part of their citizenry. Up to now, the fruits of destruction are evident but it is not evident that there has been even the slightest benefit for the victims on the ground who have been abandoned to confront terrors without any protection whatsoever. We are witnesses to events but are incapable of fathoming their deepest intention, actual range, or probable consequences regarding future geopolitical or economic solutions in this part of the world. However, the growing human suffering is obvious. Defenseless people have not only been deprived of their basic rights but the basic necessities or even life itself. Therefore, our human and Christian conscience prompts us to raise our voice in defense of these people. We first want to prompt each conscience in our religious community, the Church that lives in the Republic of Croatia, and then in every human conscience not to allow ourselves to be carried away by feelings of vengeance and hatred that would justify satisfaction because some international justice is being effected. Without judging the intentions of the great powers who initiate this military pressure on the government that is responsible for the ethnic cleansing and genocide in Kosovo, we as believers share the position of the Successor of Peter, who has repeatedly told the world public and all those responsible that interpersonal and international problems are not solved by armed force. In recent years during the armed aggression in the countries of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Pope explicitly called for the disarmament of the murderers, and he continues to caution that it is urgent to find a way to stop the military operations. Peace attempts by his diplomats in Belgrade have not borne fruit but it is necessary for the Catholic Church in the world and particularly in the neighboring countries to direct their attention to the urgent provision of humanitarian assistance for the victims of this tragedy in Kosovo and in all the regions where the unfortunates are seeking safety.
“Catholic and other humanitarian institutions and associations are certainly already involved in such undertakings and we trust that their enormous experience will not be without fruit in this instance. Although we are experiencing a severe economic crisis here, Christian love must show itself in works. We are obligated to share even the last crust of bread with those who are threatened by death under the most terrible conditions. Therefore, we call upon all the faithful in our country to respond to the appeals of our bishops for contributions made through the parish, diocesan and national branches of Caritas in order for us to provide immediate assistance, even if this requires the contribution of not only that which we have in excess but that which we need. For us faithful, the person, every endangered person, is of supreme worth within created reality. This is the initial premise of each of our undertakings and each of our appeals to the public under these conditions.”