ZAGREB, Oct 31 (Hina) - "It is necessary to appeal to all, especially those in charge, to be more resolute and brave in advocating fair solutions to social issues, without forgetting those who are the weakest and least protected or
giving up the principle of solidarity," the head of the Croatian Catholic Church, Archbishop Josip Bozanic, has said. In an extensive interview with the Glas Koncila religious weekly, Bozanic advocated the promotion of dialogue on all levels, particularly between bishops and Croatia's authorities. This is the duty of the state commission for relations with churches and religious communities and the Croatian Bishops' Conference commission for relations with the state, he says, pointing out he is dissatisfied with the performance of certain commissions. Asked if Croatia, by recently changing the Law on National Holidays, had breached its agreement with the Holy See, Bozanic
ZAGREB, Oct 31 (Hina) - "It is necessary to appeal to all,
especially those in charge, to be more resolute and brave in
advocating fair solutions to social issues, without forgetting
those who are the weakest and least protected or giving up the
principle of solidarity," the head of the Croatian Catholic Church,
Archbishop Josip Bozanic, has said.
In an extensive interview with the Glas Koncila religious weekly,
Bozanic advocated the promotion of dialogue on all levels,
particularly between bishops and Croatia's authorities. This is
the duty of the state commission for relations with churches and
religious communities and the Croatian Bishops' Conference
commission for relations with the state, he says, pointing out he is
dissatisfied with the performance of certain commissions.
Asked if Croatia, by recently changing the Law on National
Holidays, had breached its agreement with the Holy See, Bozanic
said the Holy See should be the interlocutor in talks about possible
changes, but that during a recent visit to Zagreb by the Vatican's
secretary for relations with states, Msgr. Jean-Louis Tauran, not
one representative of the authorities mentioned the intention to
change religious holidays.
Asked to assess the implementation of Croatia's agreement with the
Holy See, the Archbishop said not every article had been
implemented, particularly in connection with the restitution of
Church property seized during the communist regime.
Commenting on a letter President Stipe Mesic allegedly wrote the
Pope, accusing Croatia's bishops, Bozanic said Msgr. Tauran told
the bishops in Zagreb John Paul II had not received any such
letter.
Asked if the alleged letter was just a ploy for a media dispute with
Croatian bishops, Bozanic said an employee with Mesic's Office
handed a diplomatic note, not a letter, containing certain
objections to the secretary of the apostolic nuncio's residence in
Zagreb on July 27.
Asked if Tauran's visit had been used for a gross media, perhaps
even diplomatic attack on Croatia's bishops, Bozanic regretted
that one visit between Tauran and European Union ambassadors in
Zagreb had been awkwardly used and politicised in some media.
Commenting on the election of Tomislav Ivancic, a theologian, as
head of the University of Zagreb, Bozanic said Ivancic had stated
his willingness to strongly advocate the activity, growth and
progress of this institution. As for criticism of Ivancic, he said
it was primarily a criticism of democracy, of a legal and legitimate
act of the University of Zagreb and not an attack on Ivancic.
(hina) ha sb