Dear Faithful,

We are addressing you in reference to the parliamentary elections to be held in the Republic of Croatia on Sunday, November 25, 2007. On that day, the Church will celebrate the Feast of Christ the King of All Creation. On that Sunday, The Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer reminds the faithful that they are called to be participants in his kingdom “of truth and life, holiness and grace, justice, love and peace.” These are the values of the common good, which genuine believers support wholeheartedly. Contributing to the common good is also achieved by voting in elections and thereby manifesting love of the homeland. This is also a reason why we are urging you to prepare and vote in the elections with moral awareness and responsibility, in order to contribute effectively to the further development of the Croatian Homeland.

1. It is honorable to participate in political life. Political concern for the common good is honorable and essential in the service of the community. Therefore, we wish to encourage all who have the abilities and gifts, especially the young, to commit themselves boldly to political life, aware that this is one of the worthy means of serving one’s nation. We urge the political parties to give them an opportunity and include them in their ranks. In democracy, the Church recognizes the opportunity for broad participation by citizens in making political decisions, insofar as democracy guarantees the opportunity to vote for and supervises those who are elected. True democracy consists of accepting values, including human dignity, respect for human rights and the common good, as the goals and criteria for organizing a healthy political life.
2. Why vote and whom to choose? During this election campaign, questions spontaneously arise: why vote and whom to choose? When election day arrives, some may be faced with a dilemma: to go to the polls or stay at home. Many voters, however, fail to exercise their civil rights. In this manner, they leave the responsibility to others for the decisions being made in their names in the Croatian Parliament about them, their children, their families and the entire country. The coming elections are therefore important because, after achieving evident economic and other advances, as also recognized by the international community, we find ourselves at the historical crossroads of entering European integration and forming a legal system that will determine long-term social development and the value orientation of our country. The Croatian Parliament, as the most important legislative body in the country, an ancient institution that has safeguarded the legal continuity of the Croatian state and expressed the sovereignty of the nation for centuries, should continue to be a place to which we elect capable, moral, qualified and honorable persons.
Nonetheless, going to the polls and voting are not only rights but moral obligations and duties. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explicitly emphasizes that the faithful should participate actively in public life and praises those countries in which the majority of the citizens participate in public affairs. Together with the question of the need to vote, it is important to ask which party and candidates should be entrusted with our confidence. Therefore, it is important to become as well acquainted with the candidates and party platforms as possible.
3. Criteria for the Evaluation of Parties and Candidates. Concern for the common good, particularly commitment to life, solidarity with the poor and the disenfranchised, are the fundamental criteria according to which the faithful should evaluate “their candidate.” In an election, a believer will vote for a candidate and party that defend and protect human life, from conception to a natural death, promote the dignity of marriage and the family, and support the right of parents to the holistic upbringing and education of their children. The believer will vote for those who support the demographic renewal of the country, support the free choice of religious instruction and catechism in the schools, promote the right to employment, work, a suitable home (apartment), a children’s allowance, Sunday as a day of rest, as well as a tax system for the benefit of the family, culture and the common good. The believer also expects “his or her candidate” to support social justice and the right to information in the service of the entire truth about a person, and to oppose drugs, addictions, corruption, pornography and prostitution. The believer will give his or her vote to the candidate who supports peace, the whole truth about the Croatian past, the Homeland War and defenders, and respect for the natural environment created by God.
4. Go to the polls and pray for the Homeland! Dear and beloved faithful! We urge all of you to go to the polls, exercise your civil rights and responsibly fulfill your Christian duty.
In your Christian conscience, carefully evaluate which persons and what sorts of programs will receive your vote. On this occasion, we also remind priests to ensure that church premises are not used for partisan promotional activity.
We urge all to pray that this year’s parliamentary election will strengthen unity and promote the genuine progress of our Homeland, which we commend to the intercession of Our Lady, whom we have called the Queen and Advocate of Croatia for centuries.

Your Bishops

Gospić, October 18, 2007