Zagreb, (IKA) – Corruption is a great evil of the present and is also a great evil in Croatia. All of us have to fight corruption and therefore clear legislation is necessary. It seems to me that in our laws there are many loopholes that make such corruption possible, cautioned Cardinal Josip Bozanić on the television program Dnevnik plus that was broadcast on Thursday, April 20, on Channel 1 of HTV (Croatian Television). In the interview, the cardinal stated that it is necessary to create laws not for the immediate situation but laws that will have long-term value, that will represent and promote principles. In our country, there is much talk about the judiciary, that it is not effective. However, judges apply the law. It is a question whether these laws permit such procedures in our judiciary, commented the cardinal. He also warned that it is sometimes possible to adopt laws lightly. He recommended that laws must be prepared solidly, that bills should be studied well and that it is not necessary to raise one’s hand indiscriminately when they are being voted upon.

In the interview, the cardinal stated that the Church does not want to enter politics directly because politics should be conducted by the elected representatives of the people. However, the Church will never remain silent and will speak out, particularly on ethical principles, and do this tirelessly, whether or not this is pleasant.

In the interview, the cardinal said that Croatia experienced two great earthquakes during a fifty-year period. The first was the communist earthquake, that resulted in the nationalization and socialization of many goods. The new earthquake was when privatization occurred within the democratic changes. This was an opportunity for many to act in a manner that was not according to their consciences, often taking advantage of laws or interpreting laws in a certain manner that took advantage of the situation, so that the weakest suffered, warned the cardinal.

When asked whether the Church is loud enough in bearing witness and prophecy, because there has been criticism that it did not speak out clearly enough regarding transformation, privatization and all the criminal activities, the cardinal responded that the Church always attempts to speak and recalled that his first address to the public as the archbishop of Zagreb was in a letter in which he referred to the “sin of the structures,” pointing out that it was precisely in this way that he wanted to direct attention to our legislation. The laws allowed privatization to occur in the manner that it occurred, i.e. if they did not make it possible then the executive authorities and the other systems of the government did not do their jobs, he commented.

In response to the question whether the social elite in Croatia during the past fifteen years have passed the test of legality and responsibility in the country in which nearly everything is for sale, the cardinal recommended that special attention should be focused today upon the person, that it is necessary to protect our person and it is the first task of the state and statesmen to protect the citizens of this country with laws and in other ways. A market economy is inevitable. It has its laws. However, it is also necessary to respect the laws of a country. We see that in the process toward the European Union, what is being sought from us is not legal in the countries that are already members of that Union. It is necessary to protect our citizens, and to explain and justify our interests, he said.

He also mentioned that people who are in politics, who bear state responsibilities, are discussed carelessly. Politics is honorable work. It is work for the general good. On the one hand, it is necessary to prepare young people to enter politics and the state services. On the other hand, it is necessary to help those in politics to do their jobs as well as possible because much regarding our general good depends upon them, explained the cardinal.

Referring to the entry of Croatia into the European Union, the cardinal stated that from the one side, our place is in Europe, in the European Union, and from the other side it is necessary to perform the work responsibly in the process of negotiation. Our future prospect is Europe, although it is not necessary to hurry. It is necessary to define our interests well, secure and protect our identity, and protect our dignity before Europe, he explained.

In response to the question of where and what is the place of the Church in Europe, especially regarding the process of secularization in Europe, the cardinal replied that the Church lives in Europe, it is in a way strongly connected with Europe, and even with the European Union because the fathers of European unification are actually staunch Catholics. In this group, it is necessary to include the great Pope John Paul II, who spoke about a single united Europe even when others did not, during the time of communism. The Catholic Church lives in Europe, it is its builder and wants to make its specific contribution, in order for Europe to be truly Europe. If Europe forgets its roots, it will not have a future and therefore the Church also wants to serve Europe by reminding it of its Christian roots, he mentioned.

Speaking about the Croatian person, the cardinal said that he needs self-confidence today. It is necessary to tell the Croatian person: “Don’t be afraid. Be brave. Believe in yourself, in your dignity. Preserve your identity, Croatian and Christian. Don’t let anyone manipulate you,” emphasized the cardinal.

When asked how the Church is dealing with internal errors and whether it was forced to compromise, the cardinal answered that the Church is both divine and human, and that the divine element of the Holy Spirit is constantly present within it, which strengthens it from the inside and helps it to implement that which is entrusted to it by the gospel. However, from the other side, it is composed of people who have their own errors and the Church is aware that its faithful are also sinners. It repents for this but it is secure and its security is that which it received from Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit, the cardinal stated.

In response to whether it is more important “to be” in the Church than “to have,” the cardinal answered that it is certainly more important “to be.” Certainly the Church needs some material goods in order to perform its mission. When the Church seeks something, it is seeking it for the person. The Church will not use it for itself, will not make a profit or sell it to foreigners but will give it in the service of the person. Certainly, “to have” is a challenge for everyone, and the Church must follow its principles in this area that what it has should be in the service of its mission, in the service of Caritas and education, especially of the young, he noted.

In reply to a question about the extent of the Church’s readiness to confront critics, unjust “demonization” of its life and work or even “verbal terror,” the cardinal commented that it is not necessary to pay too much attention to this matter. “When justified criticism is in question, we readily wish to listen and it is beneficial to us. We thank all who offer it. However, the other type is something transitory and the Church should pay more attention to performing its mission as well as possible,” said the cardinal.

When asked who will offer Croatia a way out from crisis and how, and what are the tasks of the Church in this respect, the cardinal responded that a crisis is actually a challenge for a person to find new strength and to stride into a new area. It is necessary to have hope and confidence. “I think that we in Croatia have sufficiently capable people, which I particularly sense with young people. It is necessary to give young people a chance and I believe that we have sufficient strength to extricate ourselves from that which you call a crisis,” concluded Cardinal Bozanić in his interview for Dnevnik plus.