To the Dear Faithful and All People of Good Will,
Nearly two years ago, on March 19, 2010, we Croatian bishops issued a letter on the occasion of the accession negotiations for Croatian entry into the European Union, in which we, in the light of the Gospel and Magisterium, discussed the new historical process of the unification of Europe, with particular attention to the type of foundations and objectives such unification would achieve. For centuries, the Church has accompanied the journey of our nation, shared its fate and, like all responsible citizens, now wants to know whether we can recognize our past, plan our present and view our future with hope in this new society, the European Union that Croatia wants to enter.

Of course, it is not the task of the Church to issue directives on how and with whom the state will associate and unite. Its duty as a good “mother and teacher” (John XXIII) is to help every nation in which it is present, and thus the Croatian nation, to build a community on Christian and humane principles. It is a fact that “Croatia belongs to the millennial European culture and civilization (Benedict XVI, 2006), which is why we can justifiably hope that the future will be better and more secure within this community than outside it. Nonetheless, the final decision will be made by our citizens in the referendum.

The Church that accompanies its people and shares their “joys and hopes, griefs and anxieties” (Second Vatican Council), will respect this decision, as it respected the decision of the Croatian authorities when they sought negotiations on the accession of our country to the European Union. We are aware that the decision on entering the European community of nations is far-reaching in many respects and we understand the fears of many that it could undermine our sovereignty, particularly our national identity. Nevertheless, we believe that this threat will only become a reality if we fail to do enough to maintain our sovereignty, culture, language, national goods and everything that makes us who we are. In the globalized world, whether or not we are in the European Union, we shall constantly face such challenges. Therefore, the fear of the European Union should be subordinate to concern about the development of a healthy national self-awareness and the not insignificant potentials of our county and people.

History teaches us that our nation has found itself in difficult situations and dilemmas many times, which it has successfully overcome and solved to the extent that it believed in itself and firmly held to Christian hope—Christ, who has never disappointed those who entrust themselves to him.

Based upon such valuable national experience, we urge all the Catholic faithful and all Croatian citizens to reject fears and faint-heartedness, and courageously open to the future. We were urged to take this step forward by the Holy Father Benedict XVI during his Apostolic Journey to our Church and homeland when he said: “Entrance into the European Union is a reciprocal process of giving and receiving. Croatia gives too, with its history, with its human and economic capacity, and naturally receives, thereby also broadening its horizons and living in this great exchange, which is not only financial but also cultural and spiritual.”

In the spirit of the above, we urge you, dear faithful, and you, people of good will, to go to the referendum on Sunday, January 22, 2012, and respond to the question asked according to your consciences.

As we invoke God’s abundant blessing upon all our people, we particularly ask the faithful to join personally, in the family and with others in prayer for the homeland.

In Zagreb, January 17, 2012
Your Bishops