Krk, September 13, 1998 (IKA) – The president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, gave his first interview since assuming the leadership of the Zagreb Archdiocese to Kvarnerski vez the monthly publication of the Krk Diocese. In this interview, conducted by Anton Šuljic, editor-in-chief, Archbishop Bozanić discussed the forthcoming visit by Pope John Paul II to Croatia, the beatification of Alojzije Stepinac, and the economic contract being prepared between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See.
In reference to the fourth, still unsigned contract, between the Republic of Croatia and the Holy See, Archbishop Bozanić said the following: “This contract remains a task and obligation for us, in accordance with the agreement at the beginning of negotiations. Of course, there is a certain openness on one side and the other. We see that on the government side, there is the desire to accelerate this matter now, on the occasion of the forthcoming visit by the Holy Father. However, it is difficult for me to say when the work will be completed because, as you yourself can imagine, it is a fairly difficult contract that requires extensive and demanding work. Therefore, it is difficult to predict now.
Certainly , there are several elements that enter into this contract. The first is that certain property was confiscated from the Church, which the Church used to possess and use for performing its mission, so that presently the Church is not able to function adequately without it. This is one actuality that must enter into the contract. The second is connected and based upon our Constitution and upon the perspectives of contemporary democracy, i.e. the state recognizes a useful function in Church activity in the areas of education, culture, science, social work etc. From these aspects, if the Church functions usefully within the society, when the Church is assisted in such activities, the state is not giving anything to the Church but is actually helping itself indirectly because in a society it is always easier for the Church to perform certain functions. If we are speaking strictly economically, it costs less. A third element in the contract is that it is necessary to bear in mind that all religious communities have the same rights before the state. Thus, each religious community is represented before the state according to the number of its members and has needs in proportion to that number.”
In response to the journalist#!s question whether this means that the Catholic Church in the Republic of Croatia will not have a “church tax” like those in Germany or Austria, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops replied: “We certainly shall not have a church tax. The Church does not want believers to participate in its financing via a church tax. In this country, such a tax will not be introduced, although a church tax can be completely just. The concept of a church tax is somewhat instrumentalized. Since taxes are paid for health and education, why should it be strange to pay a tax for church activity? However, once again I must say that in the fourth contract there will be no mention of a church tax in the strict sense of the term.” Archbishop Bozanić also emphasized that some have proposed for the Church to behave exactly like all the others from whom the communist authorities nationalized property, and to seek full restitution according to the law: “It is true that the Church is not a private entity and its property is not private property but the property of the community, society and therefore public, and is used for the good of the Church, believers and nation. Regarding the acknowledgement of the useful activity of the Church, this would perhaps be somewhat simpler, i.e. the Church would obtain certain assistance based on the number of the faithful or some institutions. Such assistance could also be obtained by some other religious communities but, again, in proportion to the numbers of their members and the activities they perform. One that does not perform socially useful activities would not fall within this principle.”
Turning the conversation to the forthcoming visit by Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Bozanić noted the following: “This visit will certainly be a continuation of his first visit in 1994. However, I profoundly hope it will also be a new step forward by the Holy Father, since he has consistently taken the lead, opening new paths and horizons. We can, therefore, anticipate new challenges and allocutions from the Holy Father in Zagreb, Marija Bistrica and Split.”
The bulk of the interview was devoted to the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. Archbishop Bozanić emphasized that this signifies particular recognition for the Church among the Croats and the Croatian nation. He summarized three periods in the life of Alojzije Stepinac as the archbishop of Zagreb: “The first [pre-WWII] period is especially interesting, during which Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac was occupied with pastoral activity and the reorganization of the Zagreb Archdiocese. Because of the new parishes he established, the Church in Zagreb was able to function more easily during the [post-WWII] communist period. This was also the period when he was particularly engaged in work with university students. He promoted social justice, not only on the level of work with Caritas but in other ways … The second period [WWII] is especially delicate and sensitive. During this period, Archbishop Stepinac showed himself to be a person with a feeling for human rights.
He raised his voice on behalf of the endangered and disenfranchised during the war when this was not easy to do. He loudly and openly interceded for Jews. When we look at the intervention by individual bishops and bishops#! conferences in other countries of Europe from today#!s historical perspective, we do not find many Church pastors who spoke as loudly in defense of the Jews as Archbishop Stepinac. He interceded for all the disenfranchised and endangered, which elevated him to the highest level of witnesses for faith and philanthropy. As such, Cardinal Stepinac deserves reverence and respect. The third period [under the post-WWII communist regime] is marked by silence and suffering in prison and subsequent internment in Krasić. We could say that he was a witness and martyr who spoke most forcefully by his silence but also by his clear position from which he did not waver. On the other side, he was a witness at a time when it was not possible to testify with words but with suffering. He chose to remain with the nation, at the cost of his life. Through his unswerving strength in faith, human and religious dignity, and most of all in suffering – Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac became a light for many enveloped by the dark period in which we lived. Thank God, today that light has penetrated into view and become visible to all, especially since the Holy Father has elevated Cardinal Stepinac to the honor of the altar for the entire Catholic Church.”
At the end of the interview, the archbishop of Zagreb responded to the journalist#!s query about tangible responses to the archbishop#!s Christmas Pastoral Letter: “It is necessary to understand the nature of Church activity. The Church does not weld executive authority regarding social, cultural or other areas. The Church works in its own specific way. The messages you mentioned must, necessarily, be understood in this sense. I would not say that it all remained at the level of reverberation or commentary. What was said has certainly had an indirect effect. This is palpable. A new atmosphere is being created, new criteria. The commentary, discussions and divided opinions in relation to certain arguments indicate that something struck a nerve and will certainly, sooner or later, have some consequences. In this sense, I think my messages have certain consequences that exceed narrow Church boundaries.
They provoked new views and criteria within the Church itself, and then in society.”
Noting the demand for new evangelization and the challenges facing the Church on the eve of the third millennium, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops concluded: “Today we note greater openness among people to spiritual values. We see that many are seeking the light of faith, even where it formerly had not been clearly expressed or sought.
This is not only in the strictly religious area but also in a broader sense. The development of society and science follow a direction in which there is an increasing need for the light of faith in order to guide the future correctly, from ecology to medicine etc. The Church, therefore, has great tasks and must always return to the source of its faith, i.e. the Word of God and the sacraments, in order to draw strength from them and be able to say the right word to someone living now who needs to give meaning to his life.”