Msgr. Marin Srakić, archbishop of Đakovo-Osijek and president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, presided over the 38th Plenary Session of the CCB, held at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute in Zagreb, April 21-23, 2009. The active members of the CCB were joined by Msgr. Antun Bogetić, bishop emeritus of Poreč-Pula. The session was also attended by Msgr. Mario Roberto Cassari, apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia.
The following participated as delegates of European bishops’ conferences or guests: Msgr. Stanislav Hočevar, archbishop of Belgrade, metropolitan and president of the International Bishops’ Conference of SS. Cyril and Methodius; Msgr. Eugenio Ravignani, bishop of Trieste and delegate of the Italian Conference of Bishops; Msgr. Franjo Komarica, Bishop of Banja Luka and delegate of the Bosnian and Herzegovian Conference of Bishops; Msgr. Franz Lackner, auxiliary bishop of Graz and delegate of the Austrian Conference of Bishops; Msgr. Andrej Glavan, bishop of Novo Mesto and delegate of the Slovenian Conference of Bishops; Msgr. Marian Blažej Kruszylowicz, auxiliary bishop of Szczecin-Kamienna and delegate of the Polish Conference of Bishops; Msgr. Janos Penzes, bishop of Subotica, and Msgr. Đuro Gašparović, bishop of Srijem. Regrets were sent by representatives of the Czech and Slovak Conferences of Bishops. At the beginning, as the host of the session, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, archbishop and metropolitan of Zagreb, greeted those present, pointing out that each such meeting is a special event for the Church in which the bishops, as pastors, in a fraternal and collegial community, plan the future of the Church in Croatia. He emphasized that all those who view the Church only in its sociological dimension do not understand the Church at all. In conclusion, he expressed the hope for the success of the work of the plenary session, which was held in the renovated premises of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute and the Archdiocesan Theological Seminary.
Opening the session, Msgr. Marin Srakić, president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, expressed his joy due to the reunion of all the bishops of the CCB because it is precisely in this manner that the collegiality of the episcopal office is achieved. Greeting those present, he particularly singled out Cardinal Josip Bozanić, archbishop and metroplitan of Zagreb, the host of the session who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his episcopal consecration, for which all present congratulated him. Archbishop Srakić also greeted the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Cassari, whom he asked to convey greetings and closeness in prayer from the members of the Croatian Conference of Bishops to the Holy Father, particularly at moments of subjective and biased criticism directed against him.
Archbishop Srakić mentioned several significant events in the Church in Croatia during the past several months and announced the most important topics of the current session. He also greeted all those who would follow the work of the plenary session, particularly those in the media. Apostolic Nuncio Msgr. Cassari cordially greeted all present and invited them to a reception at the Apostolic Nunciature on Thursday, April 23, on the occasion of the anniversary of the election of Pope Benedict XVI. He pointed out that the Pope keeps track of every pastor and every diocese in his dear Croatia with love and hope, and has boundless confidence in the college of bishops. He then referred to the absurd and unjust criticisms directed at the Pope, which cause him to suffer greatly. Nevertheless, Pope Benedict XVI remains faithful to his calling: to speak the truth to today’s person and the world, regardless of the price he has to pay. Therefore, Msgr. Cassari emphasized that he will convey to the Holy Father the profound solidarity, closeness, community and devotion of the bishops and Croatian faithful, who proudly stand by their Supreme Pontiff.
All the delegates of the neighboring bishops’ conferences expressed their gratitude for the invitation and greetings, briefly reporting to the plenary session about the most important activities of the Catholic Church in their countries and their sociopolitical circumstances. This fraternal exchange of experiences always demonstrates anew how the problems and tasks confronting the Church in European countries are similar and related. With particular pleasure, all present greeted Msgr. Ravignani, bishop of Trieste and delegate of the Italian Conference of Bishops, who was born in Pula, Croatia. Msgr. Ravignani thanked everyone for the fraternal warmth and hospitality he experienced among the Croatian bishops and also bid farewell to them because his active episcopal service is drawing to an end.
The bishops discussed the place and role of the media in the society, as well as the role of the media in implementing the evangelical mission of the Church in the modern world. It was concluded that the media is primarily motivated by maximum profit, to which all their activities are subordinated. Naturally, in this context the truth and good are in second place. Nonetheless, the media today are an essential means of communication and as such can serve to transmit the messages that the Church conveys, which are the messages of salvation and redemption in Jesus Christ. In this sense, the Church in Croatia, in addition to its own media, remains open to collaboration with and participation in other media in order for the message of truth to reach as many persons as possible.
The topics were chosen that the Croatian Conference of Bishops will propose for the next Episcopal Synod in Rome: 1) Christian Proclamation in Contemporary Education, 2) Faith, Culture and Science, and 3) Christian Proclamation in Indifferent Contemporary Culture.
The bishops also discussed the commemoration of the priests and faithful who, particularly under the communist regime, endured martyrdom and thus gave heroic testimony for Christ and the Church. It was emphasized that until the 1990s, speaking about this at all had been forbidden but that even today, unfortunately, there are still those in high positions in the Republic of Croatia who would like to conceal everything and forget about it. The bishops emphasized that the Church has never sought vengeance but it does seek the truth, which will restore the dignity that was forcibly usurped from the victims, and provide the perpetrators with the opportunity to repent. It was emphasized that everything should be undertaken in order to determine the numbers of such victims precisely in order to correct the historical injustice of silence but also to single out those, such as the Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who gave their lives for Christ, the Church and their neighbor.
In this context, a report was submitted on the progress of the construction of the memorial church in Stara Gradiška, financed by contributions from priests throughout the entire homeland, because priests incarcerated after the Second World War in the local communist prison had been forced to demolish it.
The bishops also devoted particular attention to the recently discovered mass graves in Croatia and Slovenia containing victims of communism killed during the Second World War and the postwar period, about which controversial as well as worrisome statements and opinions have been appearing recently in Croatian public life. The bishops are of the opinion that it would be necessary to afford greater attention to these discoveries at all state levels, in order to illuminate this tragic period of Croatian history so that the truth will come to light. Otherwise, it will be difficult to turn this page of history without serious consequences for the future of the nation and state.
Cardinal Bozanić informed the bishops that the preparatory procedure for the establishment of new dioceses with sees in Sisak and Bjelovar has been concluded. The bishops reaffirmed their support for this process.
The bishops were informed about the preparations for the celebration of the 600th anniversary of the shrine of the Most Precious Blood of Christ in Ludbreg, located in the Varaždin Diocese. The main celebration will occur during the year 2011.
The bishops analyzed specific challenges and phenomena in contemporary pastoral ministry. First of all, they discussed the challenge of the New Age, which has been manifested as a mixture of religious and philosophical teachings. It was concluded that the New Age is not manifested as a religion but attempts to impose a new paradigm, a new lifestyle that separates a person from God and imprisons him within himself. When a person separates himself from God, he falls into the hands of various healers, shamans, diviners, fortune tellers etc., who offer him, naturally for money, that which they lack themselves, and for which the person yearns, i.e. salvation. In this way, many people fall into traps and nets of false promises and false paths of salvation, and spend great energy and funds in order to discover in the end that they have not achieved what they had hoped for and what they had been convinced of.
At the session there was also mention of the new religious movements, especially the Neocatechumenal Way, which is assuming growing place in Church life. Many positive things were emphasized that this form of evangelization brings, such as respect and appreciation of life, preservation and building of the family, many spiritual callings etc. However, the bishops were critical of some things that should be taken into account, such as respect for Church authority, the integrity of the parish community and parish pastoral ministry, obedience to liturgical regulations, appreciation of traditional liturgical singing etc. It was concluded that all this must be discussed with the leadership of the Neocatechumenal Way in order for its communities to contribute to the growth and building of parish and diocesan communities in the best and most comprehensive possible manner.
There was also mention of various forms of charismatic events. It was emphasized that bishops, as local pastors, must devote particular attention to such Church events in order to preserve that which is in compliance with the doctrine of faith and Church tradition and to prevent such gatherings from creating a false picture of the Church and faith, which is not merely pious sentiment and outward manifestations but rather the salvific reality that encompasses the entire person.
Furthermore, it was emphasized that exorcism, a traditional prayer present in the Church from its beginnings, is deeply rooted in the faith of the Church and, therefore, it is unacceptable and inappropriate to make a media spectacle out of it.
The heads of individual commissions, councils and committees presented the plans and programs of the bodies of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for next year.
The bishops urged all those responsible in the process of catechesis in the schools and religious training in preschool institutions to attempt to monitor and raise the quality of the educational work of catechists and religion instructors constantly. In this sense, a new cycle of continuing education was agreed upon for catechists and religion instructors at the Faculty of Special Education and Rehabilitation in Zagreb for work with persons with special needs.
The bishops were informed that everything is ready for the beginning of operation of the Croatian Catholic University and that the first students for the academic year 2009/2010 will enroll during the regular summer enrollment period.
This year marks the 20th year of operation of the Croatian Institute for Liturgical Pastoral Theology, which has made a great contribution in the promotion and popularization of the liturgy in the broadest sense. This anniversary will be celebrated by a meeting that will consider the further role of the Croatian Institute for Liturgical Pastoral Theology in our Church life.
The traditional annual celebration of World Media Day was announced, about which the public will be informed in due time.
A meeting that will be held on June 8 of this year in Zagreb of the officers of the Council of Episcopal Conferences in Europe (CCEE), of which the vice president is Cardinal Bozanić, was announced. On June 9, the officers of the CCEE will meet with the heads and responsible persons of the Justice and Peace Commissions of all the countries of Europe, in the presence of the representative of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace of Rome. At this meeting, the role of the Justice and Peace Commissions in today’s Europe will be deliberated, as well as several organizational matters.
The statutes of the Prayer and Word Community were approved.
Support and financial backing were given for the organization of a scholarly symposium of Church lawyers.
The bishops accepted a report on the operation of Caritas Croatia. They were also informed about concrete campaigns that will be implemented on the national, diocesan and parish levels in order for the Church to provide optimal response to the needs of those who have been the most severely affected by the current economic situation. Support was given to the activity of Caritas on all levels because in this way the sensitivity of the Church for every person, particularly the needy, is manifested. In this manner, the Church does what is in its power while at the same time inspiring all people of good will to join in all the campaigns that attempt to decrease the misfortune and difficulties into which mankind has fallen at present. It was emphasized that the events in Italy are being carefully watched following the catastrophic earthquake in L’Aquila, in order to maintain contacts with Caritas Italy and react when necessary.
There was also discussion about trends in the organization of the Catholic laity, particularly at the level of individual (arch)dioceses. The importance and strength of the Catholic laity was stressed because it is through the laity that the Church can be present in all the segments of our society.
The bishops critiqued the draft of the document for the television and radio broadcasting of liturgical celebrations that will be revised in order to provide the best possible broadcasting of liturgical celebrations in order for this to be fully in accordance with the nature of the celebrations themselves, and also in compliance with the regulations governing the media.
New five-year mandates were extended for Msgr. Vlado Košić, chairman of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, who is also the chairman of the Administrative Council of the CCB Center for the Promotion of the Social Doctrine of the Church, as well as for the general secretary of the CCB, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak. Mandates were also extended for some of the members of the bodies of the CCB and new members were appointed.
The bishops were informed about situation at the construction site of the future building of the Croatian Conference of Bishops at Ksaver in Zagreb.
The intentions of the Apostleship of Prayer for 2010 were approved.
The bishops were also informed about the status of the preparations for the Croatian-Slovenian pilgrimage that will be held this year on August 22 in Stična, Slovenia, and are already urging the faithful to participate in this pilgrimage, which will be an expression of Catholicism and the bond between the Churches in Croatia and Slovenia.

Secretariat of the Croatian Conference of Bishops