Zagreb, March 24, 2000 (IKA) — Today, March 24, the president of the Croatian
Conference of Catholic Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić, received his first official visit from the prime minister of the Croatian Government, Ivica Račan, at the Palace of the Archbishop in Zagreb, according to a statement issued by the Public Relations Office of the Archbishop of Zagreb. In an extensive and open meeting, they discussed questions concerning the relations between the Catholic Church and state from numerous aspects. A readiness was expressed to continue the implementation of the contracts between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia. Prime Minister Račan informed the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops that in the coming days the Croatian Government will establish the Commission for Relations with Churches and Other Religious Communities. Mutual readiness was affirmed to work together in future meetings to solve questions of mutual interest, in the service of the general good in Croatia, according to the statement.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Prime Minister Račan expressed his
satisfaction with the atmosphere of the meeting and said: “This was our first official meeting. We wanted to discuss the overall situation in Croatia and within this framework the relations between the Church and State. Both of us are aware that this relation is of exceptional importance for the stability and future of Croatia. We are aware that it is necessary to solve potential problems and assure that the Church is not used as the scenography of the government, or vice versa. Everyone has his share of work to do in Croatia and mutual cooperation is necessary. We also discussed and exchanged opinions concerning questions currently facing Croatia. I particularly expressed my awareness that the Croatian Catholic Church has a great role and that it is an integral part of the identity of Croatia and the Croatian people, because all of us together belong to a civilization that was largely established by Christianity. It is of exceptional importance in a democratic Croatia for tolerance, freedom of conscience and freedom of religion to develop, without imposing philosophies, and thereby strengthen Croatia as a normal country. Regarding the Croatian Government, I expressed my firm commitment to respect the signed international contracts, i.e. the contracts between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See. We have also agreed to cooperate in the implementation of these contracts and the resolution of eventual problems. Toward this goal, next week the Croatian Government, as previously announced, will establish the Commission for Relations with the Churches and Other Religious Communities, via which we intend to negotiate
concrete matters in cooperation with the Church, as required.”