"The gap between the rich and the poor is deepening, the few are becoming more and more wealthy, with a majority being impoverished. The desired globalisation of solidarity cannot be noticed anywhere. The law and public institutions seem to be protecting the rich and the powerful. Namely, the formal legal provision on the equality leaves the poor in a less favourable position," Cardinal Bozanic, who is the Zagreb Archbishop, says.
In his message which the Zagreb Archbishop's public relations office sent to Hina on Tuesday, the dignitary calls on the Christians to be more outspoken when defending the dignity of human beings, particularly those who are weaker and poorer and are exposed to new pressures and manipulation.
According to the cardinal, there are attempts to impose a new ideology of liberalism which would replace the failed Communist ideology.
While many in the world are paying the lip service to human rights, at the same time human dignity is being trampled tacitly and systematically in new ways, Bozanic writes in the message citing the examples of experiments with cloning, genetical manipulation, trade in human embryos, organs and in human beings, the killing of unborn children in the name of human rights.
He also warns that the law of profit is becoming the absolute rule.
According to him, in Croatia the promotion of consumption has been given priority to the creation of new values which could contribute to the development and progress. In this context he warns that more and more shopping centres are being built for the sale of the imported goods instead of building new factories.
Commenting on Croatia's integration with the European block, Bozanic urges the promotion of the awareness of the individual, Church and national dignity. "Only this way, we shall be able to preserve and promote our identity, which is our heritage(...) and strengthen our responsibility for the future of our country," he says, among other things, wishing Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and calling on the faithful to pray for the homeland.