Zagreb, (IKA) – The Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, conducted Mass at the Church of St. Mark on Statehood Day, June 25. The Mass was attended by the President of the Republic of Croatia, Dr. Ivo Josipović; the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament, Josip Leko; and representatives of the city and state authorities. During the homily, Cardinal Bozanić emphasized that prior to Croatia’s accession to the European Union, prayer for the Homeland and for all those who are in a special way responsible for it during this period of our history is imbued with a special emotion and is an obligation for the faithful. Commenting on the forthcoming accession of Croatia to the European Union, the Cardinal said that Croatia has always lived within the framework of European civilization. Today, in the European family of nations there are many pernicious contemporary trials but Europe is our family. Croatia cannot deny it unless it wants to deny itself. We view Croatia’s entrance into the European Union as the completion of a process that has a long history, in which anticipation, anxiety and disappointment are entwined. Our accession to the European Union has given a new political and economic structure to our millennial inclusion in the circle of European culture and civilization, said Cardinal Bozanić, who emphasized that the Church in this matter respects the decision of the Croatian citizens and legitimate Croatia authorities.
However, he also said that, nonetheless, more than that, the Church emphasizes that Croatia cannot deny its identity, its heritage and what it considers holy. Europeans, who know our history and values, are therefore looking forward to our presence and encourage us. They seek freshness and the authenticity of values that are lived, which they recognize in us and which we so often disparage.
Cardinal Bozanić said that the radiance of the Croatian Christian pearl comes from selflessness and the love of others. In this radiance, we recognize people who are not afraid to stand up for the truth, who seek the good of others even when the truth requires them to change their own lives. The Croatian veterans are part of this radiance in a special way. They were willing to give their lives for freedom, peace and human dignity. Many wish to extinguish this radiance but it is still here, even after the defense of the Homeland during the cruel war. It is here amidst the untruths that rain down upon the Croatian nation, prolonging injustice and the suffering of the innocent. It is here so that in the light of their sacrifices, every deception is easier to recognize and the path that does not lead Croatia to the good is evident. This radiance does not fade and, therefore, today on Statehood Day, we are proud that such selfless heroes are among us, said Cardinal Bozanić. However, he cautioned that due to all of this, there are recent concerns that the values of marriage and the family are being neglected in the Croatian society, as if the most profound foundations of human life were someone’s property. If there are conflicting ideologies, it is necessary to maintain at least the minimum level of decency and democratic achievements, without mockery or manifestations of intolerance. If decency and tolerance are disdained, humanity is jeopardized. For the Homeland, it would be fatal for any authority, after so many sacrifices, to toy with the people and their most profound feelings, ignoring the price of the freedom achieved. That is precisely what happens when a deaf ear is turned to the voice of the disenfranchised, when dialogue between the authorities and elements of society is rejected, when criminals are protected, when laws are tailored according to the desires of individuals, political and economic groups, while neglecting the good of the person and nation, warned the Cardinal.
We know that the radiance of the Christian pearl is in the Cross of Christ. The path illuminated by its radiance leads us safely toward the future. We give thanks for every sacrifice and act of selflessness made stronger by this radiance. In the vision of our Homeland, we see fertile plains, high mountains and the blue sea, as images of life’s challenges. Each part of it is dear to us, as we sing in our national anthem: dear to us where there are plains, dear to us where there are mountains. While we commend all our departed to God, while we pray for those still enduring trials for bearing witness to the truth, we invoke the intercession of the Croatian saints and martyrs, especially the Blessed Aloysius Stepinac, St. Benedict the patron saint of Europe, and SS. Cyril and Methodius. Through us Christians, may Croatia contribute to making Europe God’s dwelling place in honor and truth, bearing the radiance of the pearl of eternity, said Cardinal Bozanić at the end of his homily.