Statement by the Bishops of the Croatian Conference of Bishops on the Process of the Canonization of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac

Zagreb, (IKA) – A statement by the bishops of the Croatian Conference of Bishops regarding the process of the canonization of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, published by the Press Office of the CCB, is hereby presented in its entirety:

In regards to the process of the canonization of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, the bishops of the CCB are aware of a certain anxiety among the people and are asked many questions by the faithful, thus indicating the importance of the Beatus for our nation and the extent of the devotion of the faithful.

In a gesture by Pope Francis, who proposed the establishment of a working group of experts from the Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church, we see an opportunity for the truth about the Blessed Alojzije to be heard more clearly and at the highest level. There is no doubt that this task under the auspices of the Holy See will have resonance throughout the entire world.

We are pleased that it has been repeatedly stressed and confirmed that the Holy Father has no doubts concerning the sanctity of Cardinal Stepinac and the process of canonization has been brought to its conclusion. In this spirit, the Croatian Conference of Bishops is at the disposal of Pope Francis and the Holy See in everything that will be needed to explain certain issues to the Serbian Orthodox Church regarding the life and activity of Archbishop Stepinac.

In the wake of earlier repeated attempts and concrete efforts by the Catholic Church in Croatia to arrive at a clarification of the controversy through scholarly debates and discussions with the Serbian Orthodox Church, this is now a genuine opportunity to put an end to new attacks and insinuations concerning the luminous figure of the Beatus.

The bishops know that the Blessed Alojzije needs no special defense,which is already provided by the sanctity of his life, but it is up to us to do everything for this fact to shine more brightly and remove all the difficulties plaguing the relations between the Churches and nations.

Therefore, we see the Holy Father’s initiative as a genuine opportunity for the truth about our Beatus, with the help of the Holy See, to become even more evidentin Croatia and the world, because he is a treasure whose significance is even broader than the framework of the Catholic Church.

We urge the faithful to preserve evangelical peace, and to accompany the further processes with their prayers and trust in the Lord. We know that Divine Providence is leading these events and we are strengthened in the unity of the Church, in fidelity, knowing that the intercession of the Blessed Alojzije will not fail. We continue to bear witness to the value of his testimony. He endured martyrdom for his fidelity to the Church and to the Holy Father, in commitment to every person, in love for his Croatian people, said the statement of the bishops of the CCB.