Press Conference at the Conclusion of the 53rd Plenary Session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops

Zagreb, (IKA) – On October 13, at the conclusion of the 53rd regular plenary session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, a press conference was held at the CCB headquarters in Zagreb. The President of the Council of the CCB for Catechism and New Evangelization, Archbishop Đuro Hranić of Đakovo-Osijek; the President of the Council of the CCB for Catholic Education, Bishop Antun Škvorčević of Požega; and the President of the Council of the CCB for Life, Bishop Mate Uzinić of Dubrovnik, spoke to the assembled journalists about the main topics discussed.
In introductory remarks, the spokesperson of the CCB, ZvonimirAncić, pointed out that one of the topics discussed at the session was the report from the first meeting of the Mixed Commission of the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Croatian Conference of Bishops on Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, which was held in July. The bishops also mentioned two future blesseds of Croatian descent, Fr. Serafino GlasnovićKodić and Fr. Antun Mužić, who were part of a group of 38 martyrsin Albania from 1945 through 1974 to be proclaimed blessed on November 5 in Shkodra. The bishops also reminisced about the events of 40 years ago when preparations began for the great celebration of Thirteen Centuries of Christianity among the Croats.
Archbishop Hranić spoke about the 25th anniversary of the introduction of religious education in the Croatian educational system. He noted that this anniversary should be celebrated because it is one of the important forms of “our presence in the public life of our homeland,” through which we contribute to the educational system. He noted that not only does the Catholic Church have religious education in the schools but also other religious communities, which are also commemorating this anniversary. He added that with the anniversary of the presence of religious education in public schools, it is necessary to improve parish catechesis. Specifically, since religious education was introduced in the schools in addition to catechesis in the parishes, they have been understood as two different but complementary forms of educating children and young people in faith. Therefore, further attention should be given to parish catechesis, such as the preparation of special textbooks, plans and programs.
He also said that the CCB with the assistance of the Council for Catechesis and New Evangelization intends to issue a document entitled “That Your Joy May Be Complete: Catechesis and Growth in Faith in Today’s Circumstances.” This document has been prepared but it has been decided to submit it for public discussion to those who participate in parish catechesis because it is not of a doctrinal but a pastoral nature. In this way, all those who will later implement it will consider it to be “theirs,” i.e., that they have participated in its preparation, explained Archbishop Hranić. He added that not only will this document be discussed in parishes but also theological colleges and the media, particularly the Catholic media, will be invited to participate.
Bishop Škvorčevićspoke about a topic related to Catholic elementary and secondary schools. He noted that three years ago, the CCB approved a document entitled “The Provisions of the Croatian Conference of Bishops on Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools.” This was to be implemented during a period of three years. Now there is discussion about extending it for another year because it is necessary to organize certain institutions in dioceses that have Catholic schools.
He mentioned that there are nine elementary and twelve secondary Catholic schools operating in Croatia. During the past academic year there were 1,062 students and 215 staff members in the elementary schools, while in the secondary schools there were 2,621 students and 383 staff members. Furthermore, Bishop Škvorčević said that there are several open questions in connection with the implementation of the Agreement between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See in connection with education. One of the main issues is the formulation of the plans and programs of Catholic schools. We do not want to create a “ghetto” out of our schools or to isolate our students from others. However, that which is called Catholic in our schools should not be ideological but should be an evangelical value system toward which we guide children and young people in order to help them to be open to other culturological systems, know how to enrich others and also allow others to enrich them, explained Bishop Škvorčević.
Bishop Uzinić spoke about the project of preparation for marriage. He noted that last the two synods were centered on the family, which resulted in the publication of the post-Synodal apostolic exhortation by Pope Francis entitled The Joy of Love. Based upon the guidelines of the synod and the apostolic exhortation, the Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Life and the Family felt that it would be good to revitalize a project that had been tried earlier. Therefore, at the session of the CCB, it was decided to go forward with the project of preparation for marriage, which would have four points, as presented by Bishop Uzinić. First of all, preparation for marriage would be approached in a systematic way, including long-term and immediatepreparation, and assuring continuity by following couples both before and after marriage. New working groups were formedfor this purpose that would be composed of representatives of the Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Life and the Family, professionals and practitioners engaged in pastoral preparations for marriage, as well as members proposed by the Council of the CCB for the Young and the Council of the CCB for Catechization and New Evangelization. There will also be emphasis on respecting the guidelines of the post-Synodal document The Joy of Love and the preparation of pastoral guidelines and proposals for the basic structures and content, leaving possibilities for eventual adjustments and additions according to specific situations and individual (arch)dioceses. On this occasion, BishopUzinić emphasized the continuity of other activities by the Council of the CCB for Life and the Family. In this context, he said that these days a catechetical manual had been published, “The Challenge of Fatherhood,” and a manual entitled “The Challenge of Motherhood” will soon follow. This is in the wake of preparations for the Third Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families, which is planned for 2018 at the Croatian shrine of Our Lady of Solin. One of the journalists’ questions was about religious education as an elective subject. Archbishop Hranić said that it is an elective subject but that it would have its place within the schedule like all other subjects. In this connection, he stressed that in schools where the majority of the students choose religious education, it is not possible to organize it outside of regular school hours.
In response to a question about students enrolling in religious education, then withdrawing and re-enrolling before receiving sacraments, Archbishop Hranić explained that, for example, the material for the eighth year of religious education require knowledge from the previous years. Therefore, regulations are being prepared in cooperation with the National Catechetical Office, according to which children must pass an examination, i.e., demonstrate minimum knowledge of what they missed when they were not enrolled in religious education .Bishop Škvorčević was asked a question concerning the Serbian Orthodox Church and the work of the Mixed Commission on Stepinac. In response, he stressed that ecumenical relations are still being discussed. The first session of the Mixed Commission, which was held in July in Rome, was conducted in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding and openness, as befits the pastors of the two Churches. He recalled that representatives of both Churches met during the war at the highest levels and tried to find a way to conduct dialogue. In response to a question on expectations from the new Government of the Republic of Croatia, Bishop Škvorčević referred to the Agreements between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See and provisions that have still not been implemented, such as those concerning the school system, culture, the return of confiscated property, and numerous matters of a formal-legal nature.