Zagreb, (IKA) – The work of the Fiftieth Plenary Session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops was presented at a press conference held on Thursday, April 16, the last day of the session.
The President of the Committee of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Social Media, Archbishop Ivan Devčić of Rijeka, spoke about the main topics discussed.
He pointed out that this session was held between two bishops’ synods on the family, the extraordinary synod last year and the ordinary synod to be held next autumn. For this reason, the family was main topic of the current session. The bishops submitted a report on the presence of the topic of the family in religious education textbooks and also issued an appeal in connection with the family.
The President of the Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Life and the Family, Bishop Emeritus Valter Župan of Krk, explained the topic in connection with the analysis of religious education textbooks. He stressed that from this analysis, it is evident that the topics of marriage and family are always inadequately represented, especially in the upper grades of middle school. Therefore, it was proposed that this part should be revised, although not immediately in order to spare parents the added expense of purchasing new textbooks.
Bishop Župan noted that when this subject was discussed, marriage preparation was also mentioned. The bishops are pleased that an increasing number of engaged couples are receiving such preparation. Proposals were made for improving its quality. Preparation has improved in recent years and an increasing number of engaged couples are participating.
At the session, there was also a presentation on the demographic picture of Croatia. Concern was expressed that if Croatia continues in this direction, in a few years it could have a million fewer inhabitants.
Bishop Župan briefly acquainted the journalists with the forthcoming Second Encounter of Croatian Catholic Families, which will be held next weekend in Trsat. He announced that 25 bishops from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina will attend, as well as a large number of the faithful. He also noted that 105 buses had already been registered, without including those from the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Rijeka.
The Military Ordinary in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bishop Tomo Vukšić, who attended the session as the representative of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, informed those present about the program of Pope Francis’ forthcoming visit to Sarajevo. He directed the journalists to use the services the Media Committee and urged them to contribute to spreading a positive image about the visit and participate in the events themselves. Bishop Vukšić also took the opportunity to invite all the faithful from Croatia to participate in this encounter with Pope Francis.
The President of the Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Persons of Consecrated Life, Bishop Mate Uzinić of Dubrovnik, presented a short review of events to date in connection with the commemoration of the Year of Consecrated Life, particularly singling out the National Pilgrimage to Marija Bistrica. Owing to the reactions of the participants, a similar pilgrimage is planned for next year.
He pointed out that in order to deepen the relationship between the Croatian Conference of Bishops and Croatian religious, a meeting with women religious superiors has already been held and in June there will be a meeting with men religious superiors. It is also planned to spread Religious Vocation Day, which has already been held in Zagreb and Split, to some other dioceses, such as Dubrovnik and Rijeka. Among other activities, he spoke about a symposium in which episcopal commissioners for consecrated life will participate.
Bishop Uzinić also briefly presented the Bull of April 11 by which Pope Francis proclaimed the Holy Year for Mercy, which will begin on December 8. He commented on the overlapping of the Year of Consecrated Life and the Holy Year for Mercy, pointing out that the existence of consecrated persons is a sign of God’s mercy among us.
At the press conference, Archbishop Devčić reported that the bishops had decided that the Eucharistic commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the Bleiburg tragedy would be led by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić.
Cardinal Bozanić will also celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving in Knin during the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of Operation Storm.