Zagreb, (IKA) – The book Blaženi Alojzije Stepinac – baština koja obvezuje [The Blessed Alojzije Stepinac – A Heritage with Obligations] by Archbishop Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Zagreb was presented on Wednesday, September 17, at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute in Zagreb. The book contains homilies delivered by Cardinal Josip Bozanić on the Feast of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac from 1998 to 2008, as well as the pastoral letter “The Most Illustrious Figure of the Church of God Among the Croats,” written by Cardinal Bozanić in 1998 on the occasion of the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Cardinal Stepinac, who was then a Servant of God. The book was published by Glas Koncila and Kršćanska sadašnjost. At the beginning of the presentation, a film was shown on the trial and sentence of Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac, which was made as propaganda during the regime of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and as such was shown in all Croatian cities and villages.
The head of the publishing house Kršćanska sadašnjost, Dr. Adalbert Rebić, expressed gratitude for being entrusted with the co-publication of this book, noting that Alojzije Stepinac was a man of the pen and words. He wrote and spoke, and published what was written and spoken. Both publishing houses have published many books about him, said Dr. Rebić, who also spoke of the interest expressed by foreign media about the life and death of Archbishop Stepinac. He emphasized that these days were full of grace and obligations, because this is truly a heritage with obligations.

The president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, who is also the author of the foreword to the book, first spoke about the importance of the homily as a part of the liturgy. Speaking about the book, he said that this is a collection of words by a teacher, the archbishop of Zagreb, which teaches and guides the life of the diocesan community and beyond. He recalled that from the beginning of the service of the late Cardinal Franjo Kuharić as archbishop, he conducted a Mass on the memorial day of Alojzije Stepinac and in his homilies courageously described the beatus. These homilies were frequently followed by a cooling in relations between the state and Church. Archbishop Srakić pointed out that homilies occupy a significant place in the proclamation of the gospel today. When a preacher delivers a brilliant theological homily, hardly anyone notices it. However, if there is a critical observation of the actual sociopolitical situation, the media will be full of reviews and sentences pulled out of context. Furthermore, he pointed out that Cardinal Bozanić was continuing the practice of his predecessor and in his homilies he emphasized the values exemplified by the beatus such as the Church, martyrdom, hope, faith, homeland, truth, culture, human dignity, family, justice, conscience and solidarity. Cardinal Bozanić understands the gravity of the times in which we live. In his homilies, he presents the heritage of the testimony and life of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac.

Dr. Mario Jareb, a historian of modern Croatian history, pointed out that this book, although it is not historical, can be of interest to every historian because its contents do not only testify about Stepinac and his times but can also serve as a valuable source about the times in which they were written. It is also interesting that from Cardinal Bozanić’s 1998 pastoral letter to this year’s homily, he called attention to instances of the disparagement of Stepinac’s person and activities, particularly during the Second World War. In the homilies, we find elements of caution regarding these unacceptable attacks against Stepinac. As Stepinac understood during his trial, it was not solely an attack against him but against the Catholic Church. Thus, the attacks that have come during these ten years are also directed at the Catholic Church, said Dr. Jareb. He then explained the levels of these attacks, some of which culminated in the spring of this year when a group published copies of so-called incriminating documents on alleged activities by part of the Catholic clergy directed against the people during the postwar period. In Cardinal Bozanić’s homily in 2008, it was as if he had foreseen something. Dr. Jareb is, therefore, of the opinion that the cardinal’s book is also a valuable document about the present.

The journalist and publicist Tihomir Dujmović drew attention to some details which the media had skipped over, because “unfortunately it must be said that the Croatian media in covering these homilies have frequently not discerned the messages.” He recalled the homily from the year 2002, when Cardinal Bozanić warned that the communist mentality is still alive. The sermon did not succeed in opening dialogue on this topic because neither the media nor the society was ready for such dialogue. Today, although we are living in a Croatian state, we continue to avoid concepts such as the homeland, home, family, to do good instead of evil and to give instead of take. Cardinal Bozanić connects these topics with the significance of everything that the Blessed Stepinac represented.

The head of the Catholic weekly Glas Koncila, Nedjeljko Pintarić, said that the book presents topics and everything that Cardinal Bozanić said on the Feast of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, emphasizing that this feast is a “memorial day of Croatian Catholics.” He noted that for many years it was not possible to read or hear about Stepinac publicly. In 1970, on the tenth anniversary of his death, Glas Koncila decided to publish texts on his life and death. However, this issue was banned and seminarians had to tear out page 9 in order for the newspaper to be permitted to reach the faithful. In later issues and articles, Glas Koncila attempted to acquaint the Croatian nation with the truth about Stepinac. Pintarić also spoke about a book by Celestin Tomić, Moć pisane riječi [The Power of the Written Word], in which Stepinac was called “a martyr of the Catholic press.” This is witnessed by the fact that all the newspapers and printing shops were confiscated, and Catholic newspaper publication only began in the 1960s with the appearance of Glasnik sv. Antuna and later Glas s koncila.

Cardinal Bozanić briefly thanked the publishers for considering it useful to publish these homilies and pastoral letter in a single volume. He emphasized that if we view the present and past through faith, we see that God is the one who foresaw everything and gives specific gifts at a specific time. Thus, the Blessed Alojzije is a gift to our nation. The presentation of this book was also attended by the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Mario Roberto Cassari; the bishop of Varaždin, Josip Mrzljak; the auxiliary bishops of Zagreb, Vlado Košić, Valentin Pozaić and Ivan Šaško; provincials of religious communities, Mayor Milan Bandić of Zagreb, professors of the Catholic Faculty of Theology and many of the lay faithful.