Zagreb, (IKA) – The Secretariat of the Croatian Conference of Bishops has issued a statement, which we present in its entirety:

“Every year the Catholic Church in Croatia receives a certain amount from the state budget, pursuant to the international concordat on financial questions between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia dated October 9, 1998, by which the work of the Catholic Church is recognized as being of general value to the society in the service of citizens in the cultural, educational, social and ethical areas. In the current economic situation, the Croatian Conference of Bishops has decided, following consultation with the Holy See and in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and the Government of the Republic of Croatia, to make a contribution to overcoming the current crisis in the amount of 18.5 million kunas from the funds provided to it in the 2010 budget.
Up to the present, the Church has used a large share of the funds received from the state budget for charitable purposes. It will continue to do so in the future and via its Caritas continue to help and be close to those who are most in need of assistance at this time of crisis.”