Zagreb, February 21, 1999 (IKA) – The 1999 Lenten Pastoral Letter from the archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanić, is entitled Society According to the Lord#!s Prayer, in allusion to remarks made in 1994 by Pope John Paul II at the Zagreb Hippodrome. “The Lord#!s Prayer contains in its essence a specific outline for society, that not only excludes all violence but is constructed according to the principles of fraternal solidarity in every aspect.” Correlating this with the Year of God the Father currently celebrated by the Catholic Church, Archbishop Bozanić referred to specific sociopolitical problems in Croatia in his Pastoral Letter.
The Pastoral Letter is divided into three sections. The first two are entitled “Our Life of Pilgrimage Toward the Father#!s House” and “Be Reconciled to God” (2 Cor, 5:21). The third section of the Pastoral Letter is entitled “Let Us Give Our Homeland a New Face” and concerns Croatian social reality.
At the beginning of the Pastoral Letter, Archbishop Bozanić refers to remarks made by the Pope during his second Pastoral Visit to Croatia in 1998, regarding the tasks of the Christian in Croatian society. “When we ask what kind of society we are actually creating, what kind of society we want, we ask ourselves about the will of God and are not left in a dilemma. John Paul II#!s words provide a clear signpost for us. On our #!pilgrimage to the Father,#! we certainly shall not be lethargic, inactive, resigned critics of the difficulties and evils, because we are called to solidarity, increased involvement, interest in all that is human, saving the good with our personal and collective creation of the good,” Archbishop Bozanić pointed out in the Pastoral Letter. The archbishop then noted several tasks of the Christian, especially aid to the poor and those on the margins of society, renewal of dialogue, acts of reconciliation and love, promotion of the culture of civil peace, and the formation of Christian patriotism.
Speaking about greater solidarity toward the poor, those on the margins of society and the unemployed that have been abandoned by practically everyone, often even by the government authorities, for whom it cannot be said that they promote the general welfare if tax liabilities are not reduced and other motivational measures not taken to open new jobs, the archbishop of Zagreb stated: “The conditions in Croatia are too demanding for us not to call seriously for compassionate assistance to the many poor, unemployed, aged and ill, including refugees and displaced persons with their numerous and severe problems. Our human and Christian solidarity must be more strongly manifested during this Lenten period. Those to whom more has been given have an even greater responsibility, i.e. Christian entrepreneurs and believers who have stature and influence among the authorities.” Therefore, the archbishop urged greater involvement by all during the Lenten period, particularly by the diocesan branches of Caritas. Referring to the repeated calls by the Holy Father for dialogue with Christians of other churches and church communities, confrontation with secularism and dialogue with the great religions, particularly Judaism and Islam, Archbishop Bozanić wrote: “Providence determined that a #!bulwark of Christianity#! would develop in our Croatian territory. Today, this signifies that we are in a privileged position for encounters and cooperation with persons of varied backgrounds, #!while keeping watch over the risks of syncretism and false irenicism.#!”
Furthermore, Archbishop Bozanić stated that it is not permissible “to trade in sentiments of patriotism and nationalism. These become ideologies and destroy civil peace whenever someone succumbs to the temptation to measure these sentiments in individuals or trade in them.” He adds that in the process of democratization in Croatia, it should be clear and always evident that the fundamental values must not be called into question and are not the property of individuals or certain political groups but the collective heritage of all. The culture of peace must be promoted. As emphasized in the Pastoral Letter, this is a task for Croatian intellectuals, persons of culture and those engaged in the mass media. Although cautioning against trading in sentiments of patriotism and nationalism, the archbishop of Zagreb noted the necessity for shaping authentic and mature patriotism and nationalism “as a form of demanding love toward our neighbor. Due to a long tradition of political submission, persecution and infringement of national rights, conflicting extremes are too often evident in people#!s attitudes and behavior: one extreme is a certain apolitical and abstract cosmopolitism in which the absence of an ethnic national identity is considered a sign of progress, and patriotism is suspect as nationalism and reactionism; the other extreme is defensive narrow-mindedness and xenophobia that fear and are closed off from encounters with the world and those who are of different backgrounds.” Therefore, the archbishop of Zagreb wrote that it is necessary to develop a contemporary patriotic consciousness. Referring to the state, that is not an end unto itself but in the service of the general welfare of the nation and its citizens, a powerful instrument in the service of peace in our restless territories, it must serve to safeguard freedom and foster social virtues and general welfare. The archbishop of Zagreb emphasized: “I therefore consider the Croatian society to be a great historical advance and lasting responsibility. It is the result of our collective efforts. In everything, we also perceive a gift from God that should be gratefully tended, that it may bear the fruits of righteousness and peace.”