Zagreb, October 10, 1998 (IKA) — The fourth contract on economic questions between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia was signed today, October 9, by the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi; and the president of the Government Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, Dr. Jure Radić, at the Palace of the Ban in Zagreb. Attending the formal signing ceremonies from the Church side were the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb; Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, Bishop Anton Tamarut of Rijeka-Senj, Bishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Srijem, Bishop Antun Škvorčević of Požega; the secretary of the Nunciature, Msgr. Antonio Acari; and the chancellor of the Archdiocesan See, Stjepan Večković. Present from the Government side were the premier of Croatia, Zlatko Mateša; the vice president of the Croatian Government, Dr. Mate Granić; Dr. Ljerka Mintas-Hodak, Milan Ramljak and the vice president of the Croatian Parliament, Vladimir Šeks.
After the signing, those assembled were first addressed by Archbishop Einaudi who emphasized that the formal act of the signing had crowned intense and fruitful cooperation between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia. He thanked all who had in any way contributed to making this occur, particularly the Church and Government commissions led by Archbishop Bozanić and Dr. Radić. “This contract follows the three contracts between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia signed on December 19, 1996. Together they form a genuine concordat that will be able to be used as a model and example for those who want relations between religious and state institutions to be in complete harmony and cooperation,” said Nuncio Einaudi.
Dr. Radić began his speech by thanking all who had contributed to the fourth contract between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia, pointing out the following: “This act consolidates the legal foundations for the historical sequence of good relations with the Holy See begun during the reigns of the [Croatian rulers] Višeslav and Branimir, and in this manner is a fitting beginning to the third Christian millennium. By this signing, Croatia clearly declares that it wants and intends to correct the injustices of the past and avoid new ones. It declares that it is ready to contribute materially to creating the conditions for the work of the Catholic Church and other religious communities that are oriented toward the general good. It is pleased that the Church accepts the reality of the impossibility of returning property that belonged to the Church in the past but in the spirit of the new period is oriented to operating on behalf of people, who are at the same time citizens and believers.”
Speaking about how today#!s signing of the fourth contract completes the legal framework of the concordat for the activity of the Catholic Church in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Bozanić pointed out that these contracts are based on three fundamental principles: religious freedom, the differences between the Church and State, and the need for cooperation by these two institutions for furthering the general good of citizens and society as a whole. “In the democratic Republic of Croatia, since the beginning there have been attempts to organize the relations between the Church and State in a suitable manner based on the example of other European countries. It was attempted at least partially to resolve the unresolved economic questions between the Catholic Church and the Republic of Croatia by this contract. Before us there are two areas: material property confiscated during the Yugoslav communist regime and the assistance that religious communities enjoy according to the Constitution,” said Archbishop Bozanić, adding that the Church does not want to be privileged in relation to the others from whom property was confiscated during the Yugoslav communist regime. “Therefore, with this contract attempts were only made to organize and accelerate the manner of return, exchange or payment of compensation for confiscated property within the framework of the present legal possibilities . . . The contract stipulates the type of government assistance for the work of the Church that benefits society in the cultural, educational, social and ethical areas . . . It is necessary to note that by this contract, the economic needs of the Catholic Church are not covered but only specific assistance is provided, and the Church will continue to count on the fundamental material assistance that comes from the gifts of its faithful . . . The material assistance that the Church will receive will be used, as far as possible, for the support of the clergy and other Church officials, to provide assistance for the building of churches and pastoral centers, and provide assistance for the charitable activities of the Catholic Church. During the war, we experienced assistance from other Church communities. We would be pleased to be able to help those who are in need,” concluded Archbishop Bozanić.
At the end, the assembled were addressed by Premier Matesa, who also expressed gratitude to all those who had worked on the contracts.