Split, May 7, 1999 (IKA) – The archbishop of Zagreb and president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Josip Bozanić, conducted a Solemn Mass today, May 7, in front of the Split Cathedral of St. Domnius [sv. Dujam], on the occasion of the celebration of the feast of St. Domnius, the patron saint of the city of Split. Together with the archbishop of Zagreb, the Mass was concelebrated by the archbishop and metropolitan of Split-Makarska, Ante Jurić; the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Giulio Einaudi; the bishop of Banja Luka, Franjo Komarica; the bishop of Šibenik, Ante Ivas; the bishop of Mostar, Ratko Perić; the auxiliary bishop of Zagreb, Vlado Košić; the auxiliary bishop of Split, Marin Barišić; numerous vicars of the remaining archdioceses and dioceses, and several priests. Participants in the Mass included a representative from the president of the Republic, Dr. Ivica Kostović; the president of the Upper House of the Croatian Parliament, Katica Ivanišević; representatives of Split-Dalmatia County, municipal authorities, cultural figures, military officers and numerous faithful. Archbishop Bozanić made particular reference in his sermon to the Pope#!s second Apostolic Visit to Croatia when he visited the city of Split and urged believers there to remain faithful to their Christian roots and be open to the current circumstances, that although difficult, offer glimpses and signs of hope. The archbishop of Zagreb reminded all present of the Pope#!s call for new evangelization, fundamental respect for human life and the dignity of every individual and nation. Archbishop Bozanić also referred to the Pope#!s call for the preservation of ethical and moral values that are the fundamental values of society and democracy, which were undermined by the previous totalitarian regime and the recent warfare.
“In recent years we have endured wartime suffering, but concurrently we have been corroded by social immorality, that in the midst of the sufferings of war and political transition has become widespread and evident not only among individuals and private groups but has been furthered and fostered by the indifference, ineffectiveness and protectionism of some officials,” stated Archbishop Bozanić. “The common good has been undone and the consequences of the lack of responsibility in this area are being endured by the most vulnerable: the young, the ill and the retired as well as the working classes. In this context, urgent and effective changes are necessary,” recommended the archbishop of Zagreb. “It appears that in some areas of social morality, we have hit bottom. Citizens are losing confidence in the effectiveness of the protection and assistance of government institutions when legality is in question. Christian conscience, brothers and sisters, cannot be reconciled to this,” stressed the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić. “This is not a time for despair or withdrawal. It is a time of great challenges, courageous decisions and genuine confrontation with personal truth, without concealing the actual situation, but also without an unwholesome critical attitude that is incapable of seeing what is good. We are worried that those in positions of responsibility are overly concerned with counting the votes by which they will retain or obtain authority, and too little concerned with the actual, long-term and responsible programs that will bring moral values and new relations into our society and community,” said Archbishop Bozanić. In his sermon, Archbishop Bozanić also referred to the Pope#!s remarks concerning the European community, emphasizing that “Europe has embarked upon a new chapter of its unity and growth. For the joy to be complete, no one must be forgotten on the path that leads to the common European home.” Addressing young people, Archbishop Bozanić reminded them that the Holy Father appealed to them in Solin to be patient, to bear witness to the love that knows how to sacrifice and knows how to wait with confidence. “Do not trust those who want everything now and immediately, those who have become rich overnight, and ruin so many and perhaps themselves the next day,” said Archbishop Bozanić to young people. He also spoke about the grave situation in Kosovo and called for prayer for a peaceful solution to this conflict. Prior to the Mass, there was a solemn procession in which the relics of the martyrs St. Domnius and the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac were carried through the streets of the old part of the city around the Split Cathedral, led by Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb and Archbishop Ante Jurić of Split with concelebrants. At the Mass, the choirs of the cathedral and Our Lady of Good Health sang. Prior to the feast of St. Domnius, in all the 25 municipal parishes, and at evening Mass in the Cathedral of St. Domnius, the patron saint of the city of Split and the Split Archdiocese, there was a ten-day Church and cultural celebration called Sudamja in honor of the saint, consisting of a rich cultural program, exhibitions, theatrical performances, concerts and other festivities. It was an opportunity to learn about the cultural and religious heritage of the past 1,700 years in this region and the city of Split, that recently commemorated seventeen centuries of Christian history.