Zagreb, October 31, 2001 (IKA) — “In Croatian society, there is a great lack of genuine communication,” reads the headline of an interview with the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, published in the November 4 issue of the Catholic weekly Glas Koncila. In this interview, Archbishop Bozanic spoke of the recent Synod of Bishops, the activities of the Council of the European Conferences of Bishops (CCEE) of which he is the first vice president; and the relations of the media toward the Church, the public toward the Church, and between the Church and State.
Archbishop Bozanic mentioned criticisms directed at bishops by politicians and the media. He said that he does not dispute anyone’s right to criticize, especially if the criticism is well intended, but some things must be understood and recognized. “We have examples when a sentence or only a few words are pulled out of context from the sermon of a bishop, on the basis of which conclusions are created with no connection to that which was said,” noted the archbishop, pointing out that the Croatian bishops are in agreement and united
regarding their calling and efforts. Speaking about the contracts between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See, Archbishop Bozanic said that all the items still have not been implemented and the part of the contracts concerning the return of Church property has not begun to be systematically implemented. In response to a question on the changes in the law concerning holidays, the president of the CCB said that the part of the law that changes the status of the Feast of the Epiphany violates a contract made with the Holy See, in which it is stated that the parties to the contract will agree together upon eventual changes in nonworking days. The contract with the Holy See that defines the Feast of the Epiphany as a nonworking day, as an international contract, takes precedence over Parliamentary acts according to our Constitution, added the archbishop. If the law passed by the Parliament goes into effect, the Feast of the Epihany will continue to be a nonworking day according to the international contract, and the Feast of Corpus Christi will become a nonworking day according to the force of the new law. Nevertheless, he expressed the hope that this “awkward act” by the Croatian Parliament will be resolved in a satisfactory manner.
In the continuation of the interview, the president of the CCB responded to questions on the decline of social justice in Croatia: “Our society at this moment is experiencing difficult social conditions that afflict the citizens of our country. Many workers are receiving wages for their work that are insufficient to support themselves and their families. Retired persons are enduring increasing hardships. Veterans and war invalids are fearful for their rights. The unemployment rate is not going down. Young people are leaving the country. New mothers and families with children are receiving less assistance. Perhaps healthcare will become a privilege of the few. Demographic problems have frightening implications. The economic and social reforms presently being implemented seem to be eroding the basic prerequisites for a welfare state. Therefore, it is necessary to appeal to all, particularly to the responsible persons, to provide more decisive and courageous support for a just solution to social problems, not to forget the weakest and most vulnerable, and not to surrender the principles of solidarity.”
Archbishop Bozanic feels that there is a great lack of genuine communication in the Croatian society, because those who should be speaking and negotiating often seem to be doing so solely via the media. “This is how misunderstandings and disagreements arise. People speak and perhaps act on the basis of assumptions, editorial commentaries by journalists, and not on the basis of the original and objective facts. Therefore, it is necessary to promote dialogue at all levels, emphasized Archbishop Bozanic. Regarding dialogue between the bishops and the Croatian authorities, the president of the CCB, Archbishop Josip Bozanic, said that there is a formal government Commission for Relations with Church and Religious Communities and a Commission of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Relations with the Government. The Croatian Conference of Bishops is not satisfied with the work of these commissions, and will propose an initiative for a meeting with representatives of the Government authorities at the level of the Permanent Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops.