Zagreb, (IKA) – The Feast of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac was celebrated in the Zagreb cathedral on February 9. The Mass was conducted by the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, in concelebration with Auxiliary Bishops Vlado Košić and Valentin Pozaić of Zagreb; the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Bishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Srijem; Bishop Josip Mrzljak of Varaždin, Military Bishop Juraj Jezerinac, Bishop Ratko Perić of Mostar-Duvno; the first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in the Republic of Croatia, Henryk Mieczyslaw Jagodzinski; provincials of the religious communities in Croatia and approximately a hundred priests.

In the homily, Cardinal Bozanić recalled how the Servant of God Pope John Paul II referred to the Blessed Stepinac as “the most illustrious figure … from a long series of men and women who expressed themselves by living Christian virtues” among our people. He also mentioned that on November 10 of last year, the memorial collection of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac Museum was opened next to the cathedral. This museum commemorates an individual who did no harm to another, kept his oath and accepted no bribes against the innocent. This year, in which we commemorate the tenth anniversary of his beatification, we thank God for the gifts that we have experienced as individuals, as the Church and as a nation in the decade of the public veneration of the Blessed Alojzije. Cardinal Bozanić pointed out that in the memorial collection of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, among the testimonies to the his great virtues, acts of charity and noble strivings; among the immeasurable expressions of the affection of the faithful for their pastor and gratitude for what was done in the defense of human dignity, there are also vestiges of the evils that have created a different image and attempted to clothe the Beatus in the garb of a criminal. We find documents there which the archbishop’s court-appointed attorney had presented to the court. However, the public prosecutor arbitrarily excluded many of these documents, which are still marked with the word “no” in red ink. Not only could these documents not be permitted to appear before the court but also no one and nothing that would support the truth about the cardinal and the Church. In this little word of negation, “no,” not only is the indictment written but also the verdict. This “no” is the signature of communist thought and action. This “no” provides evidence of the subsequent rejection of the truth and an accurate portrayal of the Blessed Alojzije, said Cardinal Bozanić, and reflected upon how these exhibited yellowed pieces of paper reveal themselves to us. We are able to see them but those to whom they were directed were not permitted to see them. Thus, we can form a picture for ourselves, not only of one man and not only of one time, the consequences of which continue to be evident, that had previously been concealed. In retrospect, these yellowed sheets of paper provide an even more powerful record of the godless system symbolized by the red color of communist ideology that became a metaphor of everything that tailored the truth to the measure of selfish appetites. This “no” is a no to the person. This “no” is a no to goodness, a no to respect, patriotism, the voice of conscience and – worst of all – this “no” is a no to God, emphasized Cardinal Bozanić.
He also spoke about the role of the media of those times, who invented evidence, twisted facts, produced so-called documents and documentary material, and created an overall negative portrayal of the faithful and that which is the most holy to them. From time to time in our public life, some of these spurious documents are still suggestively cited. Today, more authentic documents whisper to us with Jesus’ voice: the truth will make you free. The saintly life and death of the Blessed Alojzije are also highly significant for contemporary discussions of legislation, the judiciary and media, said the cardinal, and pointed out that in Pope Benedict XVI’s message on this year’s World Communications Day, which we shall celebrate on Sunday, May 4, he affirms the value of the mass media but cautions: “the media, taken overall, are not only vehicles for spreading ideas: they can and should also be instruments at the service of a world of greater justice and solidarity.” Furthermore, the cardinal called attention to the Pope’s statement that in certain situations the media are used not for the proper purpose of disseminating information, but to “create” events, owing to their suggestive power. The cardinal also recalled that those who should have assured that Cardinal Stepinac, this beacon of Croatian and European history, received a fair trial and a fair verdict, permitted a disgraceful sham trial to be conducted, were yoked to the ideologized media, allowed the conviction to be issued prior to judgment, and consented to stage a performance that became the basis of new persecutions and the spreading of hatred against Christianity, other religions and the faithful. A “new history” was created, rationalizing the communist crimes which up the present have neither been called by their true name nor healed by the truth in the tissue of the Croatian society.
The cardinal furthermore pointed out that it is difficult to find a more pernicious combination in Croatian society than insufficiently relevant and implemented legislation, which in some aspects fails to liberate itself from the mentality of the communist system, and which is evident in a judiciary that is not infrequently pressured by images provided by the media. Even those who would want to work honestly in the judiciary for the general good are often inhibited from the one side by the inexplicit legislation and from the other side by orders from their supervisors to engage in less important tasks, for the purpose of thwarting their professional activity, organization and internal supervision. Frequently ostensibly small changes either favor or prevent the criminal activity that undermines the general good of our people. “The media have enormous responsibility, a part of which, probably due to insufficient expertise, pressure from interested parties and other dishonorable reasons, harms the reputation and work of the majority which, I believe, wants their valuable service to help good fruits grow in the Croatian society in our collective aspirations regarding the good and genuine progress. It is precisely them that I urge to persevere and I particularly thank them for well-intentioned criticism that springs from love and leads to love,” said Cardinal Bozanić.
At the end of the homily, Cardinal Bozanić expressed his gratitude to God that there is a place in which the truth has not been extinguished and where the truth must be permitted to remain without its voice as long as we Christians exist. “A person is nowhere as free as he is before God, in God’s home and in God’s embrace,” said the cardinal and reminded the faithful that in the preparations for the Synod they are called to a new life as converted and faithful witnesses of the Good News. He also urged them to pray for the Croatian nation and homeland, so that, as he said, “it will be as beautiful and happy as the joy of the Gospel that is lived in us.”
The celebration of the Feast of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac was preceded by a triduum, during which Msgr. Vladimir Stanković, Msgr. Danijel Labaš and Fra Matija Koren spoke of faith, hope and love in the life of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac.