Požega, (IKA) – Catholic Archbishop and Metropolitan Đuro Hranić of Đakovo-Osijek, Bishop Antun Škvorčević of Požega, Archbishop Emeritus Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek and Serbian Orthodox Episcope Jovan Ćulibrk of Slavonia met in Požega on April 28 and issued the following public statement:
As servants of the faith of God’s people in the Archdiocese of Đakovo-Osijek, the Diocese of Požega and the Episcopate of Slavonia, we met at the Residence of the Bishop in Požega in order to bear witness to our mutual fraternal respect, discuss certain common issues with pastoral responsibility and encourage the faithful to join together in their efforts to achieve evangelical values in the Croatian society. We prayed to our Lord, the Risen Christ, the victor over evil and death, to help us through the light and power of His Spirit so that in our Churches we may support what is true and just with faithful clarity and boldness, considering our past and present, for the dignity and rights of every person, and peace among nations.
In this spirit of faith, we spoke of the seventieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the twentieth anniversary of the military campaign Flash, expressing deep sorrow due to the warfare in our region that resulted in a large number of victims of the Serbian and Croatian nations, Jews, Roma and other citizens, as witnessed by many places where there was great suffering. In the desire to remember not only the victims of our own nations, we paid our respects to every innocent victim and entrusted those who did evil to God’s mercy. With due diligence and sadness, we discussed the present difficult social conditions endured by our faithful, the increasing impoverishment of people and the emigration of young people and whole families to other countries. We appeal to all those responsible in the Croatian society to do what is possible to stop this and invest needed efforts for the postwar economic recovery of Slavonia with increased sensitivity. This will make it possible for the still unrepaired churches and other buildings belonging to the Orthodox and Catholic faithful and other citizens to be restored in order to meet the needs of those living in this part of our homeland.
We raised important pastoral issues of concern to the faithful of the two Churches, including mixed marriages. We pray to God to help us in our sincere attempts to promote forgiveness and reconciliation, understanding and trust among the pastors and faithful of our two Churches and all citizens, so that we may serve God’s plan for man, the strengthening of peace and progress.