Vatican, December 16, 1998 (IKA) – The formal exchange of the instruments of ratification for the economic contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia took place on December 14 in the Vatican. Attending the ceremonies at the Apostolic Palace, besides the secretary of state of the Holy See, Cardinal Angelo Sodano and the vice president of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and president of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, Dr. Jure Radić, the participants included the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb; the apostolic nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi; Bishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Srijem, Bishop Želimir Puljić of Dubrovnik, and other state and Church dignitaries. By this act, the fourth contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia has gone into force, completing the legal framework for the activity of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Croatia.
Cardinal Sodano emphasized that the signed contracts now comprise a genuine concordat that will serve as a model and example for those who want relations between the religious and government institutions to be in complete harmony and cooperation. Cardinal Sodano also noted, “Having completed the period of negotiations, the task of implementing what has been negotiated is before the two parties.” He expressed the hope “that readiness for mutual cooperation will facilitate the correct implementation of the contract in accordance with its content and spirit.” In an address, the secretary of the Holy See for relations with states, Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran, noted that “our community at the table, where we have broken bread, in a certain manner is an expression of the qualities of the relations between the Church and state in Croatia: respect, friendship and cooperation … This is a happy situation, established after so many years of opposition between the Church and state in your country … The figure of the Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac reminds us all of the black pages that nevertheless were illuminated by the illustrious testimony of this fearless servant of the Church, who knew how to proclaim the Gospels and serve all Croats without compromise.” Regarding the fourth contract, Archbishop Tauran said that with its ratification, “the relations between the Church and state have become even stronger and allow us to look toward the future with confidence … Indeed, these contracts suitably stipulate the relations that must exist between a community of the faithful and a state, independent within their own systems but also mutually cooperative, so that Church activity can be implemented without obstacles and the good of the entire society is safeguarded in the optimal manner.”