Zagreb, (IKA) – The Theological-Pastoral Approach to Politics – The Christian Identity in Contemporary Society is the theme of the 47th Theological-Pastoral Week, which began on January 23 at the Interdiocesan Seminary at 106 Voćarska Street in Zagreb. The theme of this event touches contemporary life and is part of our evangelical responsibility, said Dr. Ante Crnčević on behalf of the Commission for the TPW, adding that the Church cannot be the rescue squad for crises in society but wants to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, in good times and bad, as written in the Holy Scripture.
This event has assembled the highest representatives of the Church from the Republics of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, led by Cardinals Josip Bozanić and Vinko Puljić; the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Francisco Javier-Lozano; representatives of the state, municipal and university authorities; other Christian Churches and religious communities, and several hundred participants. Traditional greetings were conveyed by telegram to the Holy Father, signed by the High Chancellor of the Catholic School of Theology, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, on behalf of all the participants.
“Today in the politics in our society, we feel called upon to act with renewed deliberation in order to encourage a different type behavior in this area,” said the High Chancellor of the Catholic School of Theology, Cardinal Bozanić, at the opening ceremonies, adding that signs of crisis are perceived in the Croatian political-institutional system, to which the politicians themselves bear witness. “We are witnesses to rising wariness and misgivings by the citizens toward institutions.” Many criticize but few are willing to become involved. Among zealous Christians, it is not infrequently heard that they will become involved when the situation changes, and “actually courage is lacking to become engaged decisively and in a timely manner in order to guide efforts courageously toward the desired progress,” pointed out the cardinal, warning that in such a manner there is a shift from too much politics to too little politics, which diminishes both individual and collective awareness, creates unnecessary tensions, promotes selfish attitudes, increases poverty, reduces solidarity, and undermines the correct relationship between the state services and the general good. “All of this has an impact on people, threatening their dignity, freedom, responsibility and the possibility for genuine and constructive engagement,” warned the cardinal, pointing out that this is the reason that the Church and Christians examine the significance and tasks of politics, bearing in mind its limits and values. Christians know that their homeland is in heaven, where they await the Savior, and that this world and worldly politics which determine the social conditions of life cannot offer salvation and answers to the most profound human questions.
The cardinal particularly pointed out the limits of politics that are part of the world of “ephemeral forms” and cannot solve the mission and purpose of life in a radical and ultimate manner, because the organization of life in society and well-being in the earthly homeland are not the final goals of existence. Moreover, politics tends toward important and necessary worldly goals in order for life in society to be well organized but politics cannot achieve them by itself, said Cardinal Bozanić, adding that it can merely prepare the means, conditions, structures, measures and legal provisions for these goals, but in order to achieve them it s necessary to start prior to politics and to go beyond politics. In order for all the segments of the society to be at the service of the person, profoundly humane attitudes, convincing acceptance of values, responsible behavior and participation, readiness to create relationships in justice and solidarity are needed. This contribution must issue solely from human conscience and freedom, and in this manner support a readiness to go beyond the letter of the law and institutional plans, in order to achieve the goals of politics that are in some ways far above politics itself, pointed out the High Chancellor of the Catholic School of Theology. “Without such awareness, firm conviction and living according to authentic social virtues, no reform or large project can genuinely achieve its goals,” concluded the cardinal, warning that these assumptions are not in the least abstract or insignificant, and awareness of the limits of politics is of great importance for each person, especially Christians – not in order to belittle politics but, on the contrary, because as Christians we have a precisely specified and active responsibility toward politics and on the journey toward the heavenly homeland, we live in our earthly homeland. We should be neither indifferent nor passive toward our earthly homeland because we all share the responsibility for building it.

Pointing out that we are called to promote the general good in the society in which we live, the archbishop of Zagreb cautioned that it is important to differentiate between that should be rendered unto to God and that which should be rendered unto Caesar. “Only those who fear God can truly honor the worldly authority, i.e. the political institutions; because if God is the sole Absolute, then on one side, Christians are free from the political temptation “to sell their souls,” and from the other side they can recognize politics as a great and necessary service and endeavor to achieve politics in the primary sense, introducing the freedom of God’s children into it, said the cardinal, adding that fulfilling this obligation clearly, intensively, devotedly, in perfect love of God and neighbors, is part of the practice of Christian virtues, i.e. holiness. All Christians are called to this, especially those engaged in politics, concluded Cardinal Josip Bozanić.

Greeting those assembled on behalf of the Catholic School of Theology, University of Zagreb, the dean of the CST, Dr. Zdenko Tomislav Tenšek, pointed out that this assembly wants to consider politics in the broad sense, as it was understood by classical Greek thought, according to which every person is a political being, but also in the narrow theological-pastoral sense, to make a contribution to the social and political realities. Through the choice of this theme, Christians demonstrate that they want to be the evangelical yeast in society, and they have the task in the Church to serve in the building of the general good, said the dean of the Zagreb CST.

Addressing those present, Nuncio Lozano pointed out that the Theological-Pastoral Week is one of the signs of the vitality of the Church and society, as witnessed by the large number of bishops, representatives of Church institutions, representatives of other Christian Churches and other religious communities, as well as the extensive selection of theological books and literature. Regarding role of the TPW in the cultural and public life of Croatia today, the apostolic nuncio pointed out its importance in the consolidation and promotion of genuine values on Croatia’s journey toward the European Union. The nuncio conveyed the blessing of Pope Benedict XVI to all present.

On behalf of the Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the archbishop of Sarajevo, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, greeted everyone, pointing out that this event has an important and challenging theme, which is particularly significant to the Christians in Bosnia and Herzegovina who are confronted daily by the challenge of bearing witness to who and what they are. Recalling that the Church in Bosnia and Herzegovina is often accused of meddling in politics when it makes recommendations for the general good, Cardinal Puljić appealed for the courageous and public witness of our Christian convictions, so that decisions should never again be made about us without our participation.

Those present were also addressed by the minister of education, science and sports, Dr. Dragan Primorac, who pointed out that the theme of the TPW demonstrates the responsibility of the Christian community for the society and noted that Christians and believers in general are called to build a just and better society. He also mentioned Pope John Paul II, who was a great reconciler of nations and religions.

Twelve lectures will be held during the Theological-Pastoral Week, which will conclude with a plenary discussion on Thursday, January 25. The Theological-Pastoral Week is a scholarly and pastoral event with the goals of fostering cooperation between theology and other scholarly disciplines, and contributing to the ongoing education of those engaged in various services and missions in the Church: bishops, presbyters and deacons, religious and the laity.