Zagreb, (IKA) – “I experience this recognition as recognition of the Church that truly attempts to be the Church of the Second Vatican Council, a Church of dialogue and tolerance,” said the archbishop of Rijeka, Msgr. Ivan Devčić, one of the recipients of this year’s awards from the Croatian Helsinki Committee, which were formally presented on December 10 at the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb.
The archbishop received the award for the promotion of inter-religious dialogue and religious tolerance.

Expressing his gratitude for the award, Archbishop Devčić explained that in his work he is merely following the work of the entire Church. “This is recognition not only of myself, personally, but rather of all those with whom I live and work every day and with whom I share the destiny of the nation and Church at this time. An award for dialogue, religious tolerance and ecumenicism is actually an award for the Church of the Second Vatican Council. We are witnesses to the efforts invested by the Church in ecumenicism and in establishing a community and good relations among the members of various Christian confessions and in dialogue with other religious communities. There is no other way except dialogue, community and understanding among people and this is the task of all those who follow Jesus Christ.” As an example, the archbishop cited coexistence and understanding between members of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in Lika during the years of the Homeland War, proof of the fundamental trust among people.
In explaining the reason for presenting the award to archbishop Devčić, it was said that the members of the Croatian Helsinki Committee recognized in him a person who through theological, scholarly and pastoral work has truly devoted his entire life to the principle of openness and dialogue. This is evident from his philosophical research, engagement in the problem of Christian dialogue with atheists and agnostics, as well as investment in inter-religious dialogue. In daily practice, he has attempted to open the Church toward the society and tear down the wall that exists between the media and a large part of the Church structures. In the territory under his jurisdiction he has given a significant personal stamp to harmonious and peaceful coexistence, which has particularly set him apart as worthy to receive this award.