Zagreb, (IKA) – A press conference at the conclusion of the 45th Plenary Session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops was held on Thursday, November 15, at the headquarters of the CCB in Zagreb, at which the main highlights of the session were presented.
Greeting the assembled journalists, the newly elected President of the CCB, Archbishop Želimir Puljić of Zadar, thanked them for serving the common good, observing that they are responsible for transmitting what is happening in the Church and society. He also mentioned that the bishops, in the atmosphere of the great anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, had discussed the media in light of the document Inter mirifica.
Archbishop Puljić said that a report was presented on last week’s pilgrimage to Rome during the Year of Faith.
The topics discussed at the session also included the right to religious training in preschools and religious education in elementary and high schools, as well as the introduction of health education in the Croatian educational system. The President of the Council of the CCB for Catechesis, Auxiliary Bishop Đuro Hranić of Đakovo-Osijek, reported to the journalists on this subject. He warned of violations of the Agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia on Cooperation in the Fields of Education and Culture (Article 1, Item 1) and the Agreement between the CCB and the Government of the Republic of Croatia on Catholic Religious Education in the Public Schools and Religious Training in Public Preschools (Article 3, Item 1) when it comes to medical schools. Currently, religious instruction is not provided in the third year of secondary medical schools and according to the reforms in medical secondary schools, the same is expected for the fourth year, so that religious instruction would only be provided during the first and second years. The bishops expressed astonishment and indignation at the unwillingness of the minister of science, education and sports to meet with representatives of the Croatian Catholic Bishops and the National Catechetical Office to discuss these issues, said Bishop Hranić. Furthermore, the bishops discussed the introduction of “health education” in the Croatian school system. The bishops were informed about the relevant facts concerning the introduction, implementation and content of the Health Education Curriculum and positively evaluated the contents of its first three modules. However, they were surprised by the manner of introducing health education in elementary and secondary schools, the fact that it would be mandatory for all students, and the contents of its fourth module, which in regard to attitudes on “gender equality” and responsible sexual behavior are completely contrary to the Christian attitudes of students, their parent and also many educators. Stressing the violation of the rights of parents to choose how their children are raised, the bishops stated that the unprofessional and inadmissible approach to this serious issue is a matter for concern and urged the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports to respect the positive European, international and Croatian laws and other regulations in a consistent manner. The bishops also urged parents to become personally acquainted with the contents of the Curriculum and, according to their consciences, support the parents, teachers of religion and other educators who are raising their voices in defense of their rights and the dignity of their consciences. Bishop Hranić also said that the CCB, together with other religious communities, is seeking ways to defend the parental and religious rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the Republic of Croatia and the Law on the Legal Status of Religious Communities. He noted that pursuant to the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the CCB on Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, “Catholic schools have the right to conduct educational programs in accordance with Catholic moral principles.” Bishop Hranić urged the media to contribute to the defense of parental rights.
Bishop Mate Uzinić of Dubrovnik acquainted the journalists with some of the topics discussed at the session.
With regard to the interpretation of the inviolability of confessional secrets within the framework of debate on amendments to the Criminal Code, the CCB reiterates the immutable doctrine of the Catholic Church that every priest who celebrates the Sacrament of Reconciliation, hears confession, “is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him.” Bishop Uzinić recalled that throughout the history of the Church, priests have given their lives while remaining faithful to their vocations, and they are prepared to do so today.
He further pointed out that the bishops discussed several articles in the media about a lack of Church unity and undermined mutual trust at various levels. The bishops point out that there is no disagreement whatsoever between the CCB and Holy See. Bishop Uzinić acquainted the journalists with the Croatian bishops’ concern regarding the exceptionally grave current social situation in Croatia. The bishops particularly urge the faithful and all Church institutions, especially charitable, to contribute to overcoming the current situation.
The bishops also noted that during the past two decades of Croatian sovereignty, there have been many hardships that we as believers have perceived in the light of faith and the history of salvation, with gratitude to all, especially the Croatian soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our homeland.
The bishops emphasized the necessity of supporting justice and respecting the law, condemning all crimes that have occurred while also cautioning against subjective and malicious judgments and actions as well as the lack of sensitivity by the institutions whose duty it is to promote the truth about Croatian defense, suffering and the other consequences of war.
With particular concern and attention, the bishops spoke about the forthcoming second instance appeals of the verdicts against the Croatian Generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markač. The Croatian bishops urge the faithful to pray together for the final verdict to be consistent with the principles of justice and truth. The bishops also ask all those expressing support for the Croatian Generals Gotovina and Markač, who made a great contribution to the liberation of our Croatian homeland from Serbian aggression, always to do so with dignity, respect and gratitude toward them and the many Croatian soldiers whose unselfish sacrifices gave all of us our freedom.
In response to a journalist’s question about the case of Dajla, Archbishop Puljić said that the Croatian Conference of Bishops does not have a position because Dajla is an issue between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See. “Of course we would be happy if the parties could reach an agreement without going to court,” said the newly elected President of the CCB.