Hvar, October 29, 2003 (IKA) — The bishops of the Croatian Conference of Bishops sent a message to “the faithful and all people of good will” on the parliamentary elections to be held in the Republic of Croatia on November 23, 2003.

At the beginning of the message, the bishops mention that the forthcoming elections are to be held only a few months following the third pastoral visit by the Holy Father to Croatia, during which the Pope “summoned to mind many values upon which it is necessary to build our common future” and urged the Croatian nation to be a “nation of hope.” The Croatian bishops then urged the citizens “to go to the polls with great moral and social awareness and responsibility” in order “to make an effective contribution to the continued development of our Croatian homeland.” The bishops warned that whoever fails to fulfill this duty “irresponsibly allows others to make decisions without him on questions that concern him and the future of his children. Concern for the general good must be entrusted to the best, write the bishops, adding that those who exercise public authority must “! forget private advantage and work for the common good. Indeed, we know that in the circumstances and instabilities of this life, we never can achieve the best to which we constantly aspire without effort. Experience confirms for us that this also applies to the political arena. Nonetheless, no one can justify his not going to the pools and lack of interest in public life. Elections are a tested way of improving the quality of political life and advancing the common good. Therefore, it is necessary to go to the polls,” emphasized the bishops.

In the continuation of the message, the bishops speak of the fundamental principles that ensue from the social doctrine of the Church and are based on the Gospel, that must be followed when voting for individuals and parties with their programs. The bishops write that the programs of individuals and parties “should be assessed according to whether they promote the rights of all, especially the most vulnerable, and whether they build a common solidarity among citizens who will have the ability and understanding for the values of tolerance, community, forgiveness and reconciliation.” Of importance are also the criteria for the assessment of “a positive attitude, which does not mean uncritical, toward our national past and heritage, safeguarding the rights and dignity of the Croatian nation in the framework of world politics, and gratitude toward those who made the greatest sacrifices for our freedom.” An essential criterion is blquote the uncompromising and consistent war on drugs, that are increasingly destroying our youth and thereby our future.” The bishops also pointed out that a believer “does not vote for a party and individuals who act on behalf of the legalization of abortion, euthanasia and unnatural same-sex marriages.”

The bishops list the priorities that should be supported in these elections. They are “the spiritual and moral renewal of our society and nation, elimination of the consequences of the totalitarian system and the war imposed upon us, concern for the poor and helpless, the war against demographic extinction, providing greater and more systematic assistance to married couples and families, promoting the comlete upbringing and education of children and young people; stimulating agriculture, maritime affairs and the uniform development of all the regions of our homeland, environmental protection and conservation of national wealth; the strengthening of democratic and legal movements, linking of Croats in Croatia and other countries, cultivation of the national identity and culture during a time of general globalization; preparation of the country for entry into the European Union and other world integration.”

The bishops also appeal to those who participate in the election race “to confine themselves to the contents and programs, and avoid personal insults, untruths and slander” and also “not to make promises that they know they cannot keep, due objective and subjective circumstances, as well as not entering into political compromises that are against the will of those who elected them.” They also invite “all those who have the abilities and gifts, especially the young, to devote themselves to political life courageously and honorably, aware that this is one of the most precious ways of serving their nation” and also “urge political parties to give an opportunity to young people in their ranks.”

“The measure of those who are engaged in politics and their sincere love of the homeland are evident in a particular manner after elections: in the fulfillment of the promises made by those who won and the honorable acceptance of defeat by those who lost. Is it necessary to point out specifically that serving the homeland and one another is a common obligation and that the general good is always above private and party interests?” write the bishops in their message on the election. In conclusion, they “urge all those in the Church who hold responsible positions not to use Church premises and their offices for the purposes of individual political parties.” The bishops also asked the faithful to pray for the unity and advancement of the homeland.