Zagreb, (IKA) — “Corruption would not be an incurable evil if those who perceive this problem would offer help and cooperation,” stated Archbishop Josip Bozanic at the Mass for the Homeland he celebrated on the occasion of Statehood Day, June 25, at the Church of St. Mark in Zagreb. Attending the Mass were Croatian President Stjepan Mesi and a delegation from the Croatian Government and Parliament, led by Prime Minister Ivica Racan and Speaker Zlatko Tomcic.
The archbishop referred in his sermon to the problem of corruption, noting that we find ourselves confronting a painful reality that is not unknown to Croatian society. “Corruption creates a new network, new connections and new alliances that surpass various party and other affiliations. Statistics show that in terms of the extent of this phenomenon, our society ranks high among the countries of the world,” said the archbishop, observing that perhaps neglect of this phenomenon is a reason for the increasingly negative atmosphere and despair among the Croatian public.
Posing the question of how corruption should be combated, Archbishop Bozanic said, “We do not cultivate Utopian pretensions of achieving a perfect society. We merely seek a lasting and tireless engagement in the battle for the disclosure, containment and clarification of the roots of the phenomenon of corruption, in order to limit it and assure the necessary health of the society as a whole.”
In reference to political corruption, Archbishop Bozanic pointed out that it is wrong to assume that all politicians are corrupt because this results in fatalism and passivity. “There are numerous individuals who sincerely try to perform their duties and it is certainly not possible to submit every activity in public life to rigid scrutiny,” said the archbishop.
“When corruption is in question, it is necessary to confront this problem bravely and forcefully, helping citizens to be political subjects. With a deep ethical conviction, in all instances of political decision-making, we can arouse public opinion that is capable of serious and responsible battle. We entrust this process to God’s protection. This is a Christian duty, your and our responsibility, because this grave responsibility is too great for us to shirk,” said Archbishop Bozanic, expressing the hope that peace, honesty and well-being will prevail in Croatia.
On the occasion of Croatian Statehood Day, Pope John Paul II sent a message of congratulations to the president of Croatia, Stjepan Mesic, with wishes for increased solidarity among the various ethnic nations, together with concern for the advancement of the human and spiritual flowering of each individual.
On the occasion of Statehood Day, President Mesic awarded the High Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir and the Order of the Morning Star to retired Archbishop Josip Pavlišic of Rijeka for his exceptional contribution to the development of the Croatian state and the furthering of relations among the religious communities.