In his sermon, the archbishop said that making progress in life is not possible without holding tight onto one's roots.
"That is what Pope Francis tells us. A man without roots and a past, without a sense of belonging to a people and the Church, does not understand himself. A healthy sense of belonging does not beget sick nationalism or religious fanaticism and exclusivism, but pride that does not humiliate others and those who are different but loves and supports those who share one's own values," Kutleša said during the sermon.
He added that "today, we have been witness to the loss of Catholic roots and a clear national identity in the West having resulted in the loss of a sense of belonging and responsibility for social life, which has concrete consequences."
"In many areas of social life, a destructive impulse of individuals is visible, as evidenced by negativism and denial of any noble aspirations or attempts to work for the common good," the dignitary said, among other things.
The Feast of the Assumption was celebrated in other towns across Croatia as well.