Poreč, September 22, 2000 (IKA) — From the Twenty-First Plenary Session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, held from September 19 to 21 in Poreč, the members of the Conference issued a message that addresses the present situation in our country. Concerned about developments in Croatian politics and society — the polarization of attitudes and escalation of tensions to the extent that there have been threats of violence — the Croatian bishops want their message to help bring order, an easing of tensions, and greater safety and stability to Croatia.
Recalling that the Croatian nation had voted in a plebiscite for an independent Croatian state, and therefore [indirectly] for the war and great sacrifices that contributed to its creation, the Croatian bishops urge all the citizens of Croatia not to do anything to endanger their constitutionally guaranteed rights or belittle the victims and sacrifices. If it is still not possible to honor and reward those who deserve the most recognition for the establishment of the Croatian state, the bishops caution that our homeland must not in any way indicate that it does not value their sacrifices. With sorrow, the bishops acknowledge that it appears that besides heroic acts, in some instances “the boundaries of necessary defense were crossed,” and assert that a legal state must assure and safeguard the rights of all, including those citizens to whom injustices occurred in such instances. Moreover, the bishops point out that acts in violation of international laws of war cannot be a credit to any nation but should be judged in regular judicial proceedings.
The bishops anticipate that in forming judgments about the events in the recent war in Croatia, it will be necessary to take into account the causes and consequences, the historical context, the injustices and sufferings inflicted upon the Croatian nation, including the many years that hundreds of thousands of Croats have lived as displaced persons or refugees. They point out that evil is also committed when “the pages of the book of war crimes are turned for certain political purposes or acting upon certain directives,” which thereby increases fears of vengeance, even among those who “selflessly and honestly defended us from the aggressor.”
Before guilt is established in a court of law, no one has the right to proclaim anyone guilty or in any way obstruct the legal proceedings of the legitimate government judicial bodies, state the bishops. Expressing regret
that suspects were recently apprehended with a great demonstration of force, which is inappropriate in a democratic society, the bishops stated that such behavior, together with allegations of “affairs” and the disclosure of “dossiers,” is intended to frighten people and distract their attention from unresolved social and economic problems. The Croatian bishops therefore urge all citizens and the leaders of associations whose members come from the ranks of the Croatian defenders to restrain from radically politicizing the recent war in Croatia and to resolve all questions, especially political, in a democratic manner via legitimate party representatives in the Croatian National Parliament. The bishops urge those who have recourse to force and political power not to succumb to the provocations issued by those with individual, party or narrow national interests. The bishops further note that promoting the rights of some to the detriment of others does not lead to national and international reconciliation or to harmonious coexistence.
The Croatian bishops caution the media to guard against all sensationalism and bias, which often causes suffering and harms the reputations of innocent people.
The members of the Croatian Conference of Bishops urge the responsible authorities not to remove someone from a job merely due to a difference in ideology, and to attempt to open new jobs for all citizens. They further urge the authorities to take measures enabling all the refugees and displaced persons who wish to return to their homes to do so, and to provide refugee and displaced Croats from other countries with effective legal and material assistance. They also emphasize that no one should be forced to leave his home or homeland due to fears for his future safety.
At the end of the message, the Croatian bishops invite the faithful to pray for the homeland, especially in October when we shall pray to the Mediatrix of Croatia for peace and reconciliation, because “unless the Lord guard the city, in vain does the guard keep vigil” (Ps 127,1).